At 19 years old, I worked at the local Cato’s Fashion Store, and I loved it. I spent my days working with women's clothing, shoes, pocketbooks, and jewelry! It was a young girl's dream job, for sure. I couldn’t believe I got paid to help women pick out their outfits for Easter, Christmas, July 4th, and New Year's Eve!
Even at my young age, I learned how to “re-set” an entire store in 3 days and ensured each new season was ready for display beautifully and on time!
My enjoyment and enthusiasm to learn and work hard quickly led to my promotion to assistant manager with an excellent salary and a hefty monthly bonus as long as I met sales quota (I always did!)
But one day, the store manager came to me with the shocking news that my job description had changed and told me I must travel to other stores to “re-set” them for each new season. Even though I would have gladly accepted the offer, my father told me he would not allow me to do that for fear of my safety. He felt I was too young to drive to distant towns and that was final, which ended the discussion.
To obey my father meant that I had to lose my job, according to my manager.
I was crushed and felt like everything I had worked for was gone.
I knew neither my father nor my manager would alter their command and request of me, so I got into my car, drove over to the local shoe store, Shoe Show, and asked for a job.
Because of my experience, I was hired on the spot and given a key in a 3rd key holder position at a store I had never worked in before.
That was such a huge blessing, but even better than that, a couple of months later, a 20-year-old young man named Jeff West walked into the Shoe Show. We talked for 45 minutes about everything but shoes, and he asked for my phone number. We have been married for 30 years, and he is the love of my life.
So, actualy, one of the most heart-wrenching times for me wound up being one of the best blessings I could have asked for.
God had to position me in a place where my future husband would walk in. He knew Jeff would never have walked into a women’s dress shop, but he would walk into a shoe store to buy some Nike shoes.
Today, if you are faced with a seemingly unwarranted move that is out of your control and it feels like it makes no sense, it could make perfect sense just a few more months down the road.
I challenge you to trust God today. Believe that your life is in the Master’s hands and that He has a purpose for you. To help you fulfill that purpose, He will put you on the right path!
”Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.“
Psalms 25:4-5 NIV
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