Today makes exactly one year since I had one of the toughest days of my life. Picture this and take a journey with me. My wife is pregnant and this is supposed to be one of the happiest times of my life. Imagine going to work like any other normal day. As you’re getting ready to leave in the next hour or so at the end of the day, you get blindsided with the news that you’re being laid off. WTH?!?! All I could think about was that my expenses are about to increase with this baby on the way but my revenue just drastically decreased! On the drive home, I thought about them at least having the decency to let me finish out the day and not draw any attention. I kept questioning why this was happening. I had been the most active in church that I had EVER been in life. I was going to church every Sunday, going to Marriage Class, going to Mass Bible Study, singing in the Young Adult Choir, listening to Dr. Tony Evans on the radio every morning and praying daily. I’m doing everything that I thought I was supposed to do as a Christian. Why am I losing my main source of income now with no way to provide for my family and this new baby that was on the way?

Then I started thinking about having the conversation with my wife when she got home. I just knew she would be sad and start stressing even more about the pregnancy. Her blood pressure had already been an issue, both before and during the pregnancy. I definitely didn’t want to cause her any additional worry. Surprisingly, she had a calm spirit and was like “we’ll be just fine.” It’s funny how our roles reversed. She was normally the worrier and I was the calm one. However now, she constantly kept me with a cooler head during the entire unemployment process while I couldn’t do anything but worry. In hindsight, I can see that she was right to remain calm. God works in mysterious ways. I was able to attend EVERY single doctor’s appointment. I was able to do things around the house to prepare for the baby when my wife was nesting. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t the bread winner in my household, and it bothered me. I will admit that I may have not been the best supporting husband that I needed to be for my pregnant wife, because I was so worried about my income. She was so excited about wanting to do so much before the baby would arrive, and all I could think about is how are we going to survive?! The situation forced me to get out of my comfort zone. I had only ever worked for two companies, so it was going to be a new beginning. Those six months of unemployment gave me some time to do some self evaluation, confirm my market value and figure out what I’d like my next career steps to be. It also gave me some time to try to rest and prepare for the baby.

The time has now come for Deuce to be born. He was happy and healthy. Mom was doing fine as well. As I’m sitting in the hospital, I get a call for a phone interview for a contract position. I could tell the phone interview went well. A few days go by and we’re now home from the hospital. I get another call to come in for an in person interview. The on-site interview went well. I found out that I’d be filling in for a lady that was getting ready to go on maternity leave (the irony). I did end up getting the contract position. Immediately it was a good fit with the supervisor and group and I’d have employment at least through the holidays. Even after my coworker came back from maternity leave, I’m still here. My contact got extended. This whole experience has taught me not to worry and just focus on one day at a time, which is hard because I’m a planner. I just have to trust the fact that God will provide. I’m so grateful for my wife and her support. I couldn’t imagine not being in the same household with her and having to go through the tough times alone. I truly believe that our conscious effort and obedience to His word has gotten us this far. We didn’t miss a beat! The future is still a little uncertain because I have no control over it and that’s ok. I just have to remind myself that life comes at you fast and you just have to navigate through each moment, not worrying about anything else.

Writer: Mr. Robinson
Editor: Mrs. Robinson