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I Love My Job
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I Love My Job!
As I was driving the Gulf coast of Florida, my son Chris called. When I told him where I was, he said, “Mom, you’re not far from Destin, Florida. You need to stay there tonight. That was where we were last weekend. I saw a sign that said camping right on the Gulf. You’re going to love it!” I looked it up in my camp book. The sign Chris saw was actually the name of a campground – Camping Right on the Gulf.” I got excited and called them right away.
Unfortunately, my excitement wasn’t long lived. When I called, I found out the cost for one night in this camp ground was going to be around $75. That was a little rich for my blood. The night before, I’d paid $16 in a state park. I started to tell the woman on the phone no when I felt a gentle quiet urging to stay there. It was either the Holy Spirit or my desire to camp right on the Gulf. I made a quick decision in favor of the Holy Spirit and made a reservation.
I then called my husband to give him the bad news. “The place I’m staying tonight is expensive. I started not to go but I had this feeling that I was supposed to go there.” Bless Bob. He tries not to confuse me by questioning my spiritual leadings and he didn’t let me down this time.
I checked into the park around 4:00 PM and breathed in the soothing salt air of the ocean. The sand was as white as sugar. The tropical blue waters foamed as they crashed against the shoreline. Chris was right. I loved it. I felt so blessed to be there.
What a wonderful job I have. Thank you God.
I spent a few minutes hooking up Happy and walking Belle and knew it was time to go to work. There were people everywhere. There is a rule in business – pick the low hanging fruit. I’m no longer in business but I still hang on to some of my rules. My neighbors were close and out by their camper so I decided to start there. We exchanged friendly information. They found out I was a traveling writer who talks to people about God. I found out they had a 14 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. They were a wonderful Catholic family who obviously loved God and each other. I thought back to my experience with the screamers and knew I was going to enjoy these neighbors.
The 11 year old, Allison, asked incredulously, “Do you sleep in that car?”
“Yes,” I laughed. “It’s got everything I need.”
She didn’t believe me. “Can I see it?”
“Sure,” I said as we walked next door. I’m always surprised at how easily people turn over their children to me. I know I’m trustworthy but I wonder how they know.
When we got inside Happy, Allison asked, “Can I see a copy of your book?” When I handed her Pocket Full of Quarters, she caressed it reverently and slowly opened it. I also showed her Pocket Full of Christmas.
“Do you like to read?” I asked.
“I do,” she said.
“There are stories of children in it. If you promise to read it, I’ll give you a copy.”
“Wow,” she said, hugging her book. She ran home and proudly showed the book to her parents.
I got my bike off the back of Happy to go exploring. When Allison saw my bike, she asked if she could ride with me. The hills were perfect. Just steep enough to give a good fast ride down but not so steep that I couldn’t easily ride back up. Allison and I raced each other all over the large campground. We found the recreation center, church, pool, and the store. She and I looked at purses and jewelry together. We talked about God, her Bible School, and how much I love reading my Bible every day. There is nothing like an hour with a fun child to lift the spirits.
God, thank you for this time with Allison. I love my job.”
It was growing late and I was still restless. I’d had a wonderful afternoon but I still didn’t know why God had sent me here. Normally at this time of the night, I go inside, lock up, and start writing. I couldn’t settle down. I decided to walk out by the beach to pray.
As I walked down to the beach, I passed a larger camper parked on the corner right on the beach. A beautiful blond haired petite woman was sitting under the awning reading something. As I walked by I said, “You have a beautiful view.”
She gave a heavenly sigh. “This is the first vacation I’ve had in two years. I can’t imagine a more peaceful place to have it.”
“How long are you here for?” I asked. It was Saturday.
“I’m here with my parents. They are staying until Saturday but I have to go back to work on Thursday. How long are you here for?”
“Only a couple of days. Two years is a long time to go without a vacation,” I remarked.
She sighed again, this time sadly. “Yes, I just finished a painful divorce. My parents were worried about me and insisted I come with them. Money is really tight so I almost didn’t come. To make matters worse, I got a speeding ticket on the way here. I wanted to turn around and go home but my dad talked me out of it. Thank God I came. This is just what I needed.”
“I’m sorry about your divorce,” I said. “I can’t imagine what that must be like.”
“It’s terrible. We were married twenty-five years. I had no clue he was unhappy. I found out he had an illegitimate son that was just a year younger than our son. He had been unfaithful our entire marriage. I guess that makes me stupid because I didn’t have a clue.”
“It doesn’t make you stupid. It makes him a liar and a cheat. A wife is supposed to trust her husband,” I said.
“I’m just so lonely. I really loved him and still do. We had what I thought was a good marriage. We enjoyed our children and coached Little League together. We had the kind of marriage that our friends envied. I’m almost fifty. I wish he had done it earlier so I’d had a chance to start over with someone else.”
“You’re a beautiful woman,” I said. “Fifty isn’t old. God will send you someone else when you’re ready.”
“Thank you,” she said, surprised by my compliment. She didn’t seem to know how beautiful she was. I found out her name was Sheila, that her divorce was long, painful, and messy and that her adult children and parents had been wonderful to her. “They worry about me so much. I’ve gone from a size seven to a size two. I don’t know what I would do without them. I feel guilty about my children having to take on this burden. They shouldn’t have to think about this.”
“Helping others is always good for people. They will be stronger because of having helped you. Have you seen a counselor?” I asked.
“No,” she said.
“Do you have the support of a church?” I probed gently.
“Yes. I’m sitting here reading a Christian book about healing. I know I need some help.”
“Are you a Christian?”
“Yes,” she said. “I took my children to church. My husband was never interested.”
I told her about the book, Broken Heart on Hold, by Linda Rooks. “I’m also an author. I’ve met her at writer’s conferences. She went through what you’re going through and her book is a devotional for women in the middle of divorce or separation. I just bought her book for a friend. I think it might help you.”
“What kind of books do you write?” she asked.
“I’m a Christian writer. I write about having full spiritual pockets and being able to face anything life throws our way. Life on earth can be terrible as you have just found out. We might not like it but at least God warns us. Just read the Book of Job. I also think of myself as a missionary and get up every morning asking God to send me to someone who needs help. I travel the country waiting on assignments from God.”
She gasped. Her eyes filled with tears. I was close enough now to see the Bible in her lap. She whispered, “I was reading a book, looking up the scriptures referenced in the book, and asking God to help me. You walked up. I can’t believe it. I wondered why I was telling you all of this. I never talk about this stuff.”
I smiled and nodded. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that both of us could hardly breathe. “God sent me to you. I told my husband that I knew I was supposed to come to this campground. You were the reason. God wants you to know that He has you in the palm of His hand and has good things in store for you. I have these kinds of experiences all the time but I never cease to be amazed by them. It is so awesome to see the Holy Spirit working.”
I watched as Sheila sat up straighter. I saw hope for future happiness flow into her. God’s message had indeed been heard. Sheila and I talked several more times over the weekend. I gave her a copy of my book. Her grateful mother gave a generous donation to my ministry. I tried to tell her there was no need but she insisted. Sheila got my e-mail address and I can tell that we are going to be friends.
I love my job! In my previous careers, I had the training and skills to do what needed to be done. Deep down, I knew God was behind my success but I depended on my own skills and talents just enough to sometimes pretend they were the source of my success. In this job, there is no doubt that God orchestrates these Divine Appointments. I have no special training - just a call from God. I was just walking to the beach. God had been working all day to insure that Sheila and I crossed paths.
Thank you God for letting me be a part of your miracle for Sheila. Give her the strength to let herself be happy.
Ps 100
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. KJV
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