joanie

I’ll share an incident which I believe relates to the lesson. It took place “on the job” in Charlotte, N.C. (Richland Creek prayed me into the position there). After a lot of time, effort and hard work, I was promoted to “Assistant Manager” for a national apartment leasing company. They wanted me to remain in the same apartment complex for which I was hired. I happily agreed! After a short period of time, my Manager was reassigned and a new person was hired from outside of the company. They were so impressed with this persons’ track record, that they agreed to meet her demand of having the Asst. Mgr. she worked with at the former company join her in the same office. She was hired as the property “leasing agent”. It wasn’t long before I came in one day and was told that I was “no longer the Assistant Manager since _____is now in that position and you’re once again the property leasing agent”. All of my personal and business belongings had been moved from my nice professional size desk to a corner station that was barely large enough to accomodate a computer screen and keyboard. (My new work area). They had been cold and rude to me beforehand, but the bad treatment escalated to the point that I had no doubt that they were attempting to discourage me out of the workplace/ job (at age 60). I immediately started praying and asking the Lord to help me. I sought His Word and was lead to Jeremiah 20:11-13. I committed it to memory and claimed its promise every day (several times). It took some time, but eventually the two of them were out of a job. The Lord truly did come to my defense “like a mighty Warrior” (1st verse) and “rescued me from the hands of the wicked” (last verse). As it turned out, Corporate was not aware that I had been demoted, but they did have reason to confront the Manager about something else. That was the day the Assistant Manager was fired and the Manager threatened to quit if that were to transpire. They were both bid “good-bye” and I was immediately promoted to the Manager position. PRAISE THE LORD! I functioned well at my job until the Lord showed me that He had other plans for me. He lead me back to Raleigh to the wonderful company where I’ll celebrate my 4th Anniversary on March 12th! I went from being “micro-managed” causing a lot of “high stress”, to being “self-managed” to a great degree. I work for a very small company, a place where I feel “highly esteemed”. I truly believe that the reason for it is my openly professed love for the Lord and the fact that He leads, guides and directs me in all that I do. (It’s even well known that I choose a church setting to hold the Annual Meetings for the Homeowner Associations that I manage). Those in the office are aware that I counsel and pray for strangers who call in (only because they overhear it). Now, my work ethics do not demand constant or even occasional monitoring since my employer undoubtedly has faith in my abilities. GOD HAD A PLAN which I believe includes a call, and in some cases, a return to Him on the part of those with whom I work. I believe that He not only wanted me where I am professionally, but wanted me to be close (physically, emotionally, and geographically) to my daughter and “son”. I’ve also been given the privilege of becoming a member (for a 2nd time) of Richland Creek Community Church, a place that I dearly love and feel loved in return. The Singles Ministry didn’t exist when I left for the job in Charlotte in 2001, but it was in the beginning stages of what I consider explosive growth when I joined RCCC again in 2006. It means a lot to me to be a part of something SO BIG, SO GOD ORDAINED, where I’m not only growing in Him by having contacts with the likes of Pastor David, the other Pastors, SS teachers, and learned Bible students like you, but where He wants me to share the gifts He’s bestowed on me with others. I praise and thank Him everyday. I thank you for sharing and for encouraging me to do the same. May God continue to richly bless and enlighten you.

Cheryl