A New Beginning
Mar 13, 2022 | by The Fellowship
Up until the time my marriage imploded, I worked nights in middle management for the biggest employer in my middle-sized town of St. Cloud, MN. After becoming a single mom with little child support, it was necessary to begin looking for a job that matched my children's school hours. Having to quit my great job meant finding out what it was like to be poor!
I have a degree in education but had not taught in 12 years. Going back to teaching seemed the obvious choice. I prayed on it, thinking this would be an easy task for God and asking Him for something local so we would not have to move. I applied with all the local school districts within driving distance. Months went by with no job offers.
I prayed some more and told God I could expand my radius to the state of MN! (Can you believe I told God? It sounds so foolish now!) Yes, it meant moving, but it was still navigable for friends and family. I sent out more than150 applications. More time went by, and nothing happened.
Once again, I got on my knees and prayed, fervently begging God to open a teaching door for me. I did not care where -- anywhere. No longer was I naming my conditions! I was desperate!
Less than a week later, I heard about a job fair coming to Minneapolis, and school districts from all over the U.S. would attend. It sounded great! I dusted off my interview clothes, packed up my resumes and drove a hundred miles to attend. I applied and lined up interviews with Alaska, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Houston.
My first interview was with Alaska. My nerves were shot, but I prayed that Jesus would walk before me. The recruiter explained the pay was very high and my housing would be included. I would live in the one-room schoolhouse itself and teach a multiple of ages of native children. Long story short, the deal breaker was I would need to put my kids in boarding school.
The next interview was with Houston ISD. The recruiter was full of Southwestern charm as he offered me a seat. We talked about my resume, and he then invited me to Houston to scope out the city. Once there, I could talk with him again in his office. I prayed silently, “Oh, Lord, is he brushing me off? What do I do?”
A calm, stern inner voice told me what to say: “I am not leaving this job fair today without a job! I have two more interviews and will go home with a job tonight!” He looked shocked, but smiled and questioned, “Are you asking to sign a contract with us today?” I looked into his eyes and said, “Absolutely!!”
In April, I flew down to Houston, not knowing a soul or having ever been in the state of Texas. I was “letting go and letting God,” knowing He would take care of me. I found an apartment in Spring Branch and paid for the damage deposit and rent for the first and last months. Set to move in the first of August, I flew back to Minnesota, praying everything was going to work out and trusting it would.
In the months from April to August, I prepared to move. On a sunny August day, I left Minnesota with my kids, ages 11, 8 and 5, for the biggest adventure of my life at that point. It would be a new beginning!
When we got to Spring Branch, it was evening. I got a motel room with plans to connect with the apartment manager in the morning. The kids went to bed exhausted. As they slept, I watched the 10 o’clock news on TV and was shocked to see a story about an apartment fire and interviews with displaced tenants. Then I heard the words that gave the name of the apartment complex. “Oh no,” I screamed in my head. It was the complex I was to be moving into with my kids. Were we now officially homeless? Did my apartment burn down?
My furniture and belongings were on their way in a United moving van and due to arrive the next day. Where were my possessions going to go? I tiptoed out of the motel room and walked to the court area in a daze. After having a good cry, I realized the need to go back and be with my kids. They were still asleep, and I got down on my knees and prayed and prayed and prayed.
After a sleepless night, I drove to the apartment complex to find out if we had a place to live. Sure enough, my three-bedroom apartment was one of those that had burned down. Now here is where God comes in -- because I had paid up front for everything, they put me in a four- bedroom flat for the same price and laid brand-new carpet! Only God!
That was more than 30 years ago! The Lord planted me in Houston and here I have remained! Most importantly of all, He taught me to trust in Him with every detail of my life. He is in control, and I am blessed beyond belief to be His child.
B.P.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16