The Long-Awaited Job Update
As I sit here trying to fill you in on what is going on in my life, I’m having trouble finding words that will accurately convey my feelings. So I’m going to do my best and trust that God will fill the voids that words just can’t describe.
Back in October my husband lost his job for the second time in four months. It’s not a reflection on my husband. He’s a hard worker and a man of integrity. But sales can be a brutal field, and the sales weren’t coming in. At first we didn’t understand. He was selling commercials for a radio station, a field in which he has had much experience and success. It seemed God was closing the door on a career in sales.
Still, we didn’t know where the Lord was leading. Jim knew he had to provide for our family, so he took various part time jobs. Jobs that required working all night long. Our family’s schedule was turned upside down. I felt like I never saw my husband. Still, it’s what we had to do, and we persevered.
While we were waiting, trying to figure out what to do, my husband did a lot of soul searching. If money didn’t matter, what was his dream job? He loves sports, and he used to be a sportscaster while we were dating. He gave it up, because sportscasting isn’t really conducive to family life. The salary is low, and there are lots of long weekends on the road. Still, one of Jim’s dreams was to work in a field where he could use his passion for sports.
Another field he’s always felt strongly about is Christian radio. He began his radio career at our local Christian radio station way back before I knew him. Shortly after we got married, he took a job at a Christian radio station 100 miles up the road. He was there for 7 years before we felt like we needed to move back home. He thought he was giving up on his career in Christian radio forever.
So that’s where we were in October, November, and December. Doing what we needed to do to get by and spending a lot of time thinking and praying. During that time, God provided for our every need. Though the finances didn’t add up on paper, our rent was always paid and there was always food on our table. We weren’t getting enough sleep, but somehow God sustained us through that too.
Shortly before Christmas my husband got a call. Our local Christian radio station needed someone to fill in part-time as the morning sportscaster right away. They knew Jim had experience, and they knew he was not working full time. Could he do it?
As if they needed to ask. Jim jumped at the chance. Despite being years out of practice, he fell right back into the sportscasting routine without missing a beat. He enjoyed the job immensely. But with good comes bad. Our schedule had become even more brutal. At times he would leave for his first part time job at 6:30 in the evening. He would get home at 2:30 a.m., take a short nap and leave for the radio station at 4:30 a.m. to work the morning shift. I didn’t know how he was surviving.
And then last week he was offered full time employment at the Christian radio station. His nights of janitorial work are over, and Jim gets to work in a field he is passionate about. Isn’t it just like God to take us through the dark valley, only to lead us out to something better than we ever could have imagined? Something that would not have been possible, if not for all the dark times.
Indulge me for a minute while I write a note to my husband.
Jim,
In our twelve years together we’ve been through many ups and downs. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s never been boring. You have supported me for the last 10 years as a stay at home mom, knowing that was my dream. Now it’s your turn.
I have no illusions that things are going to be a lot easier financially, but that’s OK. You’ve sacrificed so much for me and the kids. Now it’s time for me to make the sacrifice for you. Whatever it takes, we’ll make this work. You have a gift, and God has placed you where you can use it for His glory. Whatever I can do to support you in this, I will do without thinking twice or looking back.
I love you…..Lynnae
And to my friends and readers, thank you so much for your prayers and the shoulders you’ve offered for me to cry on over the last several months. Your prayers were felt, and your kind words and actions didn’t go unnoticed. It’s much easier to go through the hard times when you have others to help hold you up, and that’s what you did for me. May God bless you richly for that.
As I finish up this post, I’m listening to Blessed Be Your Name by Tree63.
Blessed be your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name, Jesus
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
May I never forget to bless God’s name, in both good times and bad. Though it’s hard to see in the midst of the darkness, He has a plan, and it’s for my good, even if I don’t see the rewards on this side of heaven.
Thank you all for hanging in there with me for the last few months. And for the curious, my husband is on the air from 6-8 PST on weekday mornings. I’m just so proud of him, I have to show him off. :)
I’ll be back on track tomorrow with a more frugal/financial post. But for today, I’m going to celebrate!
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By Lynnae McCoy, on Jan 14, 2008
I'm Lynnae, wife of one and stay-at-home mom of two. I'm committed to getting out of debt by being frugal with my choices in life.
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This is so beautifully written and such a wonderful story. I had tears in my eyes as I read it and I’m so happy for your family!
I am so glad to hear that things have worked out so well. We have been praying for you. Isn’t it wonderful to serve a God who still answers prayers?!! Great post, and I look forward to more great news in the future!!
Yes! I am so glad to hear this!
I think you have done a wonderful job keeping perspective through all this, and I admire you for that.
This is fantastic new Lynnae! I’m glad your faith was rewarded.
WOOT!!!!!!!! I’m going to have to listen to that morning show!
Congratulations on all your blessings!
I am so happy to hear everything is working out in your family’s favor! What a fantastic way to start off the New Year! Congrats to you and your husband, may this be the first of many good things to come your way!
Take Care
LJ
God is good.
That is fantastic news! Thank you for sharing that story.
WhooHoo! That is awesome news! Congratulations to your husband. He is so blessed to have such an appreciative and understanding wife. I hope I can have the attitude that you do if my husband ever ends up in a similar situation. :)
That is fantastic for the both of you! Congrats.
I’m so thankful for this good news.
Amen. God has found a great job for my husband as well. We were in the same straits that you were. But, as always, God comes through.
Good luck to you and your family.
Happy dance happy dance happy dance W00t! :)
Awesome! Way too go, Jim and Lynnae! God bless…
Congratulations. It is great to see good things happen to good people!
Congratulations! It’s so good to hear that your husband’s got a full-time job. We knew it was just a matter of time before God came through…it’s not always easy going through times like these, but He sustains us, doesn’t He?
It’s just His timing…I think there’s been a time of testing for a lot of us…but we just keep the faith, and it’ll eventually work out in our favor…because, after all, we’re children of the King! Anyway, thanks for letting us know about your good news.
That is fantastic news! Congratulations on the full time job!!!!
I’m so happy for you both!!!
Congratulations and good luck for the new full-time job Mr BeingFrugal.
Many Many Congrads!!!!!!! This is the best news on this website so far!
How awesome is that?!!! I’m speechless. Congratulations!
I read your blog regularly and almost never comment…but today I just had to say how great that is for you and your husband! :)
This is my first post here and I’d just like to wish you and your husband all the best. Glad to hear better times are ahead.
Congratulations, Lynnae! Congrats to your husband too! I know you mentioned that money would still be tight, but I hope that things will get easier for you from here on out!
Sosososososooooo thrilled for your family! Yes, He really does lead us through some dark valleys, but doesn’t it make coming out in the light so much more beautiful and welcome? We don’t always notice when things are great and then get fractionally better. But we sure notice when things are dreadful and then get fantastic :-)
2008 is going to be the year for you all, I just *know* it!
Lynnae, thanks so much for sharing that wonderful story with us. I know you have been through a lot and it’s going to get easier, right? Right. Keep up the good work!
I’m so happy for you and your family, Lynnae. What a blessing, and how lucky your children are to have two parents with great priorities who are so supportive of each other.
What great examples you are for them.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! How wonderful for your dh. I’m so happy for all of you!
I know my husband would be glad to be back in the radio business! I’m glad it worked out for you.
Congratulations for your husband and family.
God is SO good.
Lynnae,
I’m late with my congratulations! I’ve been away from the computer for the last few days. I’m so happy for you and your husband regarding this new job! May God continue to use you both for His glory!
It’s wonderful to see how God works in our lives.
Congratulations on your husband’s new job!
I recently sang “Blessed Be Your Name” in church with the Praise Band. Great song! :)
What an amazing blessing!
@Richard – That’s a large network! And that’s also very good advice. My husband has worked in Christian radio before, in fact, he’s worked at this very station before. You’re right. It’s not perfect, but since he’s passionate about it, it’s still very good. :)
Thanks for the advice!
Funny.. I worked for a very large Christian radio network here in WNY for 15 years,(12 stations – 50 translators) it was a blessing for quite a many of those years.. However, God moved me out 2 years ago, as there was “an offer I could not refuse”.
Let me give your husband the advise I was given by the founder of the ministry the day I started… “Working for a Christian Ministry/ Radio network, is not heaven on earth, it is still run by people. Remember to always be ready to forgive/”
Wise wisdom from a man who has been in ministry for over 60 years.
This story has given me so much hope. My husband and I have several children and he lost his job 3 months ago. We have struggled with the ups ands downs of many job interviews not panning out. My husband has grown very anxious as we only have enough money to get us through one more month. We are both moving forward with the idea to get any job that will just help cover some of our costs. I am so trying to understand God’s purpose in all of this. My husband is a wonderful husband and father. He is an extremely hard worker too. I just cant imagine why something so devestating has happened to him. Please pray that I will have the ability to believe the unbelievable during this time.