Unemployed no more!

Even if I tried, I couldn't tell you what I did differently in the past week that I didn't in the quiet months preceding that, but of the three interviews that I had last week, I received a hundred percent in job offers. The timing couldn't have been more telling -- a week before my missions trip to Kazakhstan -- and the truth is that the thought of bailing out had entered my mind more than once; what if I missed out on an interview or job opportunity? But just as He has done so many times before, I received the same gentle rap every single time: Do you trust Me to take care of you?

With that, there was never going to be any turning back, and I was prepared to give things up for the trip. But each time I think I know what I'm doing, God turns it around and shows me what He is doing.

I thought I was going to miss out on a second-round interview, but the interviewer was willing to conduct it over the phone, even though he was overseas. They received around 300 applications for this position; he certainly didn't have to bend over backwards for me. With another interview, they told me in the first round that it didn't look good, because of their constant dealings with the Middle East, and their clients' unwillingness to deal with women; I certainly didn't expect to be called up again. Finally, the last position was for a telecommunications company, something entirely out of my field, but -- you know the story from here. It's God's favour and nothing else; it's Him telling me over and over again to seek Him first, and trust Him, because He knows what's best for me, and He -- of all People -- has the power to give me my heart's desires despite the seeming impossibilities. It is this unchanging faithfulness, even in spite of my constant doubt, that always drives me to my knees in awe and joy.

The job-hunting experience has been a real test of patience, and a test of faith, but I learned so much in the process, about what I want, and what I need.

The decision, after prayer and counsel, was an easy one. With that, I start work a week after I get back from Central Asia. :) Thank you all for your prayers and advice, and I'll see you in two weeks!

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There’ve been dreams I forgot and dreams I let die
Unnoticed sunsets in front of my eyes
I just couldn’t see them
I thought I didn’t need them

There’ve been chances to love that I’ve ignored
Mercies I’ve found I couldn’t before
I’m sure I would’ve shown them
If I would’ve known then

How we all play a part in each other’s lives
And there’s more to the game than winning the prize
So much I wanna try now
I feel like I could fly now

Father, You father me
Ever so patiently
You give me wings to fly
When You set me free
To fly, to soar to places I’ve not been before
The boundaries of humanity
Cannot contain what You set free

You set me free to run
Through fields of laughter
And to sing as though I have no yesterdays
You set me free from my befores and afters
From a debt I know I’ll never pay
When You set me free

-- From "You Set Me Free" by Sandi Patty

(Download 04 You Set Me Free.mp3, 8.53 MB, 06:03, via YouSendIt.com, link expires in 7 days expired, available upon request)

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As I was typing this post, the telecoms company came back with a better offer, but it was never about the money, really. :)