Happy One Year Anniversary of Being Laid Off!

At 11:25AM on December 5th, 2008, I completed my meeting with HR and turned over my badge and received my paperwork. I was officially laid off.

I had several phone calls out to friends who were looking for a position in the company that needed a senior program/project manager. I received my last call at 10:30AM. The friend who called me said that his manager and director just couldn't hire right now. My reprieve from being laid off didn't come.

So, I left the building for the last time. Some friends took me to lunch and we talked about my future. Although I had no plans, I was still optimistic and happy. I wasn't angry or bitter about the situation. I had always known that my department was under the gun for lay-offs and that management was moving to outsource the jobs to Asia.

One suggested that we go for drinks and get drunk. I couldn't do that. I told that I had to go clean the church that afternoon. We finished our lunch and parted with handshakes and hugs. A few tears were shed over me, but I told them that I would be fine.

As I was driving home to pick up my cleaning supplies, I drove by a building that was going through its final stages of completion. It was going to be a retirement community. In my heart, I could feel something stirring. Something I had never felt before. I felt something pulling me in the direction of ministry work in that very community.

After I picked up my cleaning supplies and arrived at the church, I felt the need to minister to the community come over me again. I was seeing services and Bible studies being conducted there. I was seeing ministries being opened to them. I knew that some would be traveling from other states. Children living in Austin and Cedar Park bringing their parents to a place that was more than just a community. It was going to be a family. God had placed this on my heart.

So, I now had a purpose in life and I was not going to fail the Lord and His plans. I would follow Him and do what He leads me to do. I approached the management team and they welcomed me with open arms and we worked together to build a ministry that has a core foundation of "Faith, Hope and Love".

When my wife, daughter and I conducted our first service, we had 2 people there. Since then, it has grown to 20+ people and some of the residents bring their children to come to services.

Some would say that this anniversary should be painful. I don't feel that way about it at all. I feel that God had another plan for me. I am now an ordained Sr. Chaplain and conduct Sunday worship service at 10AM, Wednesday night Bible study at 6:30PM, volunteer my free time to help around the community, teach computer classes to the residents and co-lead a grief recovery program.

God has and continues to bless me every single moment of every single day. My faith is stronger. In fact, it has never been this strong. I share my situation with everyone and help everyone who needs help. I say, "Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve you and your children and to bring honor and glory to you and the Kingdom."