Dear Friends,
It has been awhile and I apologize for not being closer to you over this long period.
God has put me in an interesting season - one filled with many of His lessons, blessings, mercy and grace. In hindsight, I can see how maybe my story becomes an encouragement for others.
Several months ago it became clear that my job as Executive Director of the Regional Chamber of Commerce was coming to a close. In fact, when the dust had settled, the message was crystal clear; if the chamber was to survive, we would have to restructure our staffing model - I'd have to let myself go. Gone were the days where we could sustain a top heavy salary load. So I called myself into my office, sat myself down and suggested that we part ways. I took it better than I thought I would.
Sue and I prayed over our next move and looked for God's direction in what He would have us pursue. At my age, getting a new job is not as easy as others would like us to think. However, two local opportunities presented themselves almost immediately and in both cases the work that I had done at the chamber was an added benefit and helped get me interviews. Here is where we see that our plans are not always God's plans. The first job was one that I thought would be just perfect for many reasons. God shut the door quickly and firmly. I took the news as graciously as I could and turned to a philosophy that a friend shared with me when he did not get a job he once thought he was perfect for. He said; "If this isn't the job God has lined up for me, just image how great the one He does have is going to be!"
Shortly after, the second job offer came through. Originally I had thought that I wouldn't be able to work at the salary they were offering and being that it was an entry level job, it would afford entry level benefits. But God's grace abounds. The job offer came through at a much higher salary, with full benefits and a bump in seniority. God is awesome. I am now the Planning and Permitting Administrator for the City of St. Albans, VT.
I like my job, it challenges me to use the gifts that God has crafted over the years. One trade off has been that I am no longer called to participate in many of the community conversations that were a substantial part of my chamber job and yet at the same time I now have extra time in the day to pursue new adventures. God is already preparing me for something big - I am sure of that. "To whom much is given, much is expected." I am excited to see where this all goes.
So how is this encouraging to others? No matter how dark or cloudy the path may seem, no matter how often the familiar gets taken away, no matter how many times we are put to the test - God is the answer. Our faith in His grace and His plan for our lives is sufficient. We should want for nothing else.
I pray for God's will in everything you do. Know that His plan is perfect and that He will guide you with grace and comfort.
Blessings,
Dave
