I got let go at work today. I wasn’t fired, and I wasn’t layed-off. It was simply a “business decision” that I should be replaced by someone who is more in-line with the current administration. And rather than simply demote me to non-manager status, they decided that having an ex-manager in the building would limit the success of my successor – my team would follow me, not my replacement.
I think it was a good business decision – one that I would have made if I were the boss. My management style and that of my boss were like night and day, and we were never going to reconcile – both of us are set in our ways. I did see my eventual exit from far off; and truthfully, I’m really surprised that they kept me around as long as they did!
My boss and I did part amicably, and I wound up with a rather nice severance package that will keep me going for some months. I am now so glad that I didn’t simply walk off the job out of frustration… something that I almost did last month. Now I have cash in hand, and I can even get unemployment should I choose to file for unemployment… which I won’t. And wherever I wind up, or whatever I wind up doing, I have no doubt that I will be happier than where I was until today. I loved my company, and I loved the people I worked with, but I simply didn’t get along with my manager.
Just think, this morning I was reviewing the past seven months of my prayer journal and it occurred to me that God was moving me in a particular direction (molding me, changing me in a “refiner’s fire”) so this morning I prayed that I might be ready for whatever was coming next, and that God would grant me change today! Well, He sure did! God answers prayers! Yeah! And praying boldly as I did, and recognizing that my prayer was answered, I can now totally trust that God is sending me in a new and exciting direction. He’ll use me as He sees fit for His greater purposes and I’m quite alright with that.
In the meantime, my time “off” won’t be idle: The other thing I noticed as I was reviewing my journal is that I never did get around to doing the things God had placed on my heart to do over the last couple of years. Everything I planned to do fizzled-out due to my limited amount of free time, and due to some priority decisions I made based on my limited time. At least for now, I have all the time in the world! I can now write (but in which direction? Sci-Fi, “This Plot,” Bible studies, travel articles, blogging?), learn how to make web pages, pursue a teaching job, consult, exercise, and volunteer. Heck, I could even read a few good books and learn a language if I’m really motivated. The one thing I’ll have to do with all this new-found freedom is to use it wisely. I’ll need to limit my TV time, and stick to my current self-imposed limits on how long I surf the web. Both can be huge time-wasters.
Of course, my new job is to now look for a new job… eventually. Truthfully, I’m not too excited about doing this. I’d like to get away from Semiconductors (except on a consulting basis for bipolar chips) and move on to teaching or self-employment. Who knows, maybe God has in mind that I should become a pastor like my dad. I don’t feel “called” to pursue that right now, but if God asks, I’m there (and there are a few people at church that are hoping that I’ll go in that direction. I’m not one of them.). Could I also make it as a writer? Doubtful, but I might have fun trying.
Day 1 mood: Hopeful.