Monday, March 28, 2016
Spring Break and Easter
Friday, March 18, 2016
The boys
As I've read through my blog posts centering around Mike's job loss I realized I hadn't written much about the boys and their roles are pivotal in the story. At the time when Mike lost his job Jay was almost 14 and Nick was 9. As many moms can attest to, parenting a middle school boy has its challenges. There are a few things you need to understand about Jay. He's been my child that I've worried about the most. Sure, he's pretty much been a dream in middle school (yes, it's true) but I have to work at my relationship with him. He's always been a mans man and gravitated more towards Mike. But every concern, worry and doubt I had about Jay was dissolved instantaneously on the afternoon on Nov. 14. That was the day Mike and I sat down with the boys to break the news to them. During that hour long family conversation I was a witness to my boys' actions which demonstrated their love of Jesus. They freely displayed this love to their dad at a time when Mike desperately needed their acceptance and understanding. Their physical and verbal responses that afternoon was their way of showing Mike how much they loved Jesus and him. Never once were the boys concerned about their "stuff." Christmas was right around the corner and they didn't ask if Christmas would look different that year, it was the least of their concerns.
Nick, being our humorous child, instantly developed a strong dislike towards the Mike's former employer. This is a work in progress, as we are still working on this "issue" with Nick. Ha! Nick is fiercely loyal and you simply don't mess with his tribe. But in terms of Nick's opinion of his dad's capabilities, well the sky is the limit. As far as Jay goes, Mike's job loss softened him. He's more at ease with other people. Every wall that Mike had built around himself came down and Jay was at an age where he was old enough to see it and recognize it - we, as a family were finally all in when it came to Mike's heart. In early January Jay came to me and said that he and Nick came up with a plan, they were going to save their own money and buy Mike a kayak. Jay and Nick have their own kayaks and Mike has longingly wished he had one but due to our budget constraints, buying a kayak was out of the question. My mom and I were so touched by their thoughtfulness we told them we would help contribute to their venture. So, here it is mid-March and all four of us are saving in the hopes of having enough money to buy Mike a kayak for Father's Day (so stay tuned). Mike and I have prayed continually that the long term effects of this job loss will forever be a positive glow in Jay and Nick's lives. It has taught us as a family that money isn't everything. I'm reminded often of the main point that Mike said over and over on Nov. 14, stuff doesn't matter, it's people that matter. Amen to that!
Nick, being our humorous child, instantly developed a strong dislike towards the Mike's former employer. This is a work in progress, as we are still working on this "issue" with Nick. Ha! Nick is fiercely loyal and you simply don't mess with his tribe. But in terms of Nick's opinion of his dad's capabilities, well the sky is the limit. As far as Jay goes, Mike's job loss softened him. He's more at ease with other people. Every wall that Mike had built around himself came down and Jay was at an age where he was old enough to see it and recognize it - we, as a family were finally all in when it came to Mike's heart. In early January Jay came to me and said that he and Nick came up with a plan, they were going to save their own money and buy Mike a kayak. Jay and Nick have their own kayaks and Mike has longingly wished he had one but due to our budget constraints, buying a kayak was out of the question. My mom and I were so touched by their thoughtfulness we told them we would help contribute to their venture. So, here it is mid-March and all four of us are saving in the hopes of having enough money to buy Mike a kayak for Father's Day (so stay tuned). Mike and I have prayed continually that the long term effects of this job loss will forever be a positive glow in Jay and Nick's lives. It has taught us as a family that money isn't everything. I'm reminded often of the main point that Mike said over and over on Nov. 14, stuff doesn't matter, it's people that matter. Amen to that!
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
The Franchise
In early January, Mike started to think about micro franchises. One thing we were certain of was Mike possessed a small business mind but actually taking that leap and running your own business was another story all together. We liked the idea and appeal of a franchise because essentially one is buying a "business in a box." However, we soon discovered that buying a business in a box has a high price tag, very high. Mike investigated several franchises but one in particular kept capturing his attention. On January 11, Mike reached out to this franchise and so began our six week long journey into researching, investigating, consulting and scrutinizing this unique opportunity. For the purposes of my blog, I'll call the franchise Stepping Stone. Mike and I were immediately thrown into what would be a very interesting but time consuming process. We knew that if we were to pull the trigger on buying a franchise we would need to know everything and I mean everything about it. When I first learned of the costs associated with the franchise my first instinct told me there was no way Mike and I could justify spending that kind of money. Yes, we had the money but it would require us to use a large chuck of our retirement money. We soon learned that buying a business is expensive and in reality the cost of Stepping Stone franchise was actually a very reasonable cost. We were told that given the costs, Stepping Stone was a lot of bang for our buck so we put my fears about cost aside and plunged into learning as much as we could. January in IL is cold and the days can be long. I would work my days away at my own job and Mike set up camp at our kitchen table. When we committed to exploring the opportunity with Stepping Stone we agreed that was where Mike's primary focus needed to be. If a job opportunity came up, it would have to be presented to Mike through a friend or family member. Anyone who has ever job hunted knows the amount of time it takes to research jobs, complete a robust resume, apply for jobs and the list goes on and on. Every time Mike would apply for a job it would usually take 1 1/2 hours and that was time Mike needed to focus on Stepping Stone. During the weeks that followed more rejection letters from other potential employers were received. It was becoming evidently clear that Mike needed to focus his efforts else where. However, a lingering question nagged at us and that was, what if we spent the next several weeks on researching Stepping Stone (and it turned into six weeks) and we didn't end up going through with purchasing it? It was a risk we had to take and God had given Mike the gift of time. Mike had time from an emotional and financial stand point to put all his energy into Stepping Stone.
During this process Mike and I tried our hardest to remain faithful to God's plan for our life. There were many times I felt He had put us in an impossible situation. There were many times I was on my knees crying out to Him. What in the world did He want us to do? I promised I would trust Him but man was it hard during those long and cold days and weeks of January and February. On Feb. 1, my dear friend, Mary (yep, it's Mary again) sent me the following:
The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day?" Numbers 22:30
After the bible verse (and I grabbed my bible and read the entire passage) there was a written passage that said, "There are times when pushing harder, trying to manipulate the circumstance, or pressing those around you is not the response to have to the roadblock. God may be trying to have you reconsider your ways. God may be doing one of four things when you are faced with an obstacle: 1. He's blocking it to protect you. 2. His timing to complete this stage is not the same as yours, and He may need you to go through a process of character refinement. 3. He may want other players to get in place, and the circumstances are not yet ready for them to enter. 4. He may be using the process to develop patience in you. Relying on the Holy Spirit to know which one applies to your situation is the key to moving in God's timing."
During this process Mike and I tried our hardest to remain faithful to God's plan for our life. There were many times I felt He had put us in an impossible situation. There were many times I was on my knees crying out to Him. What in the world did He want us to do? I promised I would trust Him but man was it hard during those long and cold days and weeks of January and February. On Feb. 1, my dear friend, Mary (yep, it's Mary again) sent me the following:
The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day?" Numbers 22:30
After the bible verse (and I grabbed my bible and read the entire passage) there was a written passage that said, "There are times when pushing harder, trying to manipulate the circumstance, or pressing those around you is not the response to have to the roadblock. God may be trying to have you reconsider your ways. God may be doing one of four things when you are faced with an obstacle: 1. He's blocking it to protect you. 2. His timing to complete this stage is not the same as yours, and He may need you to go through a process of character refinement. 3. He may want other players to get in place, and the circumstances are not yet ready for them to enter. 4. He may be using the process to develop patience in you. Relying on the Holy Spirit to know which one applies to your situation is the key to moving in God's timing."
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
New Years Eve, a change of thinking
By NYE, Mike and I were still in a fog about what to do. He had applied some places but gotten no response. One company had even called him and said they were moving his application to the HR desk but it never made it any further than that. I wouldn't say we were discouraged but I would say reality had sunk in. Every time Mike would start the long drawn out process of filling out an application, it never felt right. At the time I couldn't put my finger on it because of course I knew Mike needed a job. This will sound juvenile but every time we filled out an application I felt yucky about it. It's as simple as that, just plain yucky! I knew we were about to embark on a long winter that would be filled with ups and downs. When Mike first lost his job, my friend, Mary said to me (and I quote), "Hang on, Amy, you guys are in for a wild ride." I remember at the time thinking, Umm, I wonder what that's all about? Now, nearly four months later, I get it. Our "wild ride" didn't get revved up until after NYE but we were well on our way.
Many of you saw my blog post from New Year's Eve (2015). My dear friend, Mary and her husband, John, came with Mary's family. About a week before NYE, Mary asked if her sister in law, Shannon, could join us for our celebration. I love Shannon and any friend or family member of Mary's is always welcome. That evening I sat with Shannon during dinner and she shared some of her testimony with me. I always love hearing other people's stories but Shannon's was particularly engaging. She has endured traumatic events in her life and come out of them stronger and closer to God. She toured our house that night and was blown away by Mike's talents and abilities; his eye for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. I will never forget being in Jay's room that night with Jay, Mike, me and Shannon. As we were showing Shannon Jay's log bed that Mike built him, Shannon stopped what we were doing and boldly prayed with the three of us. She prayed that God would use Mike's talents for His glory and would help guide Mike and I. It was powerful. That was the first time it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, Mike needed to do what everyone had been telling him for years, to start his own business. Mike Ausili''s opinion was very blunt (as only a true and long lasting friend can be). He told Mike that he should direct all of his hard work and skills into his own business, why let someone else reap the benefits of Mike Siebert? Still, Mike and I weren't quite ready to take that leap of faith. After all, we had Jay and Nick to consider. If the business failed, where would that leave us and how would it effect our boys? And what would Mike do if he ran his own business? Mike had said for years there is no money to be made in wood working. We had a million questions, none that were going to get answered any time soon but a seed was planted on NYE 2015. Shannon tells me now that God simply used her as a vessel. And what a vessel she was!
Many of you saw my blog post from New Year's Eve (2015). My dear friend, Mary and her husband, John, came with Mary's family. About a week before NYE, Mary asked if her sister in law, Shannon, could join us for our celebration. I love Shannon and any friend or family member of Mary's is always welcome. That evening I sat with Shannon during dinner and she shared some of her testimony with me. I always love hearing other people's stories but Shannon's was particularly engaging. She has endured traumatic events in her life and come out of them stronger and closer to God. She toured our house that night and was blown away by Mike's talents and abilities; his eye for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. I will never forget being in Jay's room that night with Jay, Mike, me and Shannon. As we were showing Shannon Jay's log bed that Mike built him, Shannon stopped what we were doing and boldly prayed with the three of us. She prayed that God would use Mike's talents for His glory and would help guide Mike and I. It was powerful. That was the first time it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, Mike needed to do what everyone had been telling him for years, to start his own business. Mike Ausili''s opinion was very blunt (as only a true and long lasting friend can be). He told Mike that he should direct all of his hard work and skills into his own business, why let someone else reap the benefits of Mike Siebert? Still, Mike and I weren't quite ready to take that leap of faith. After all, we had Jay and Nick to consider. If the business failed, where would that leave us and how would it effect our boys? And what would Mike do if he ran his own business? Mike had said for years there is no money to be made in wood working. We had a million questions, none that were going to get answered any time soon but a seed was planted on NYE 2015. Shannon tells me now that God simply used her as a vessel. And what a vessel she was!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Happy 65th Birthday, mom
Mike Ausili and Faith left last past week for Haiti. Mike and Jay went to see them off. They are building a house! I am praying for their safety and that they can share the love of Christ with everyone they encounter. 
Saturday, March 5, 2016
God Showed Up
Although Mike and I were living in reality that he had lost his job, we spent the remaining month of November in a fog. I remember my well intentioned sister setting up handy man jobs for Mike and my uncle wanting Mike to make him a wood display case for his cards but Mike declined all offers. We were so appreciative of the offers but we had no idea what to do or what God wanted us to do but we knew God had given us time. During times of despair, God shows up. It amazes me how He uses His people as vessels. During this entire process I kept a journal of dates and events. God wanted to teach Mike and I humility. You'll see why when you read what His messengers did in order to feed our souls and give us some breathing room financially.
Nov. 14 - Jenny bought POSH products from me and over paid me, big time. I was able to use this money to finish buying Christmas money for the boys.
Nov. 16 - My sister gave us gift cards. This provided for us on nights when the boys had basketball games and we needed to stop somewhere to eat dinner.
Nov. 24 - My mom paid for my hair cut and high light. Enough said about that. Any woman will understand how essential this is. My mom also gave Mike and I some peace of mind with a financial gift. She remembered that during her divorce her dad had given her $500 as a just in case security. It meant a lot to her then and it meant a lot to Mike and I now.
Nov. 29 - My brother in law, Craig, gave up his Sunday afternoon and helped Mike craft his resume.
Dec. 13 - Ausili's take us out to dinner. Such a nice gift during the month of December.
Dec. 16 - We received the distressing news that with our new insurance our boys' medication would cost us $278/month(We were paying $50/month). This was a day that I needed other people to carry us in prayer as I had nothing to give or feel. But that night, Jenny, brightened my day and brought me vodka. Hey, sometimes a girl just needs her vodka.
Dec. 17 - My dear friend, Laura, spent 1 1/2 hours on a work night helping us tweak Mike's resume and cover letter. She rocked it. I remember sitting with her and thinking my dear friend could rule the world!
Dec. 20 - Our oven broke.
Dec. 22 - My dad provided financially for the loss of the oven and he did not know the oven had broken.
Dec. 23 - Our friends, Erin and Neal, invite us over for dinner. Just the gift of being invited to dinner and sharing good company was enough. But my friend, Erin, is classy. Through the years I've had a subscription to People magazine (my guilty pleasure). I had mentioned to Erin that my subscription didn't make the budget (ha). So what did Erin do, she renewed my subscription and put the subscription announcement in my Christmas card. I have loved getting that magazine on Friday afternoons.
Dec. 22- Laura comments how happy Mike looks and how at ease Jay is. Mike and I notice very positive changes in Jay. This makes my heart sing.
Dec. 24 - Received a $200 check anonymously. This was such a gift.
Jan. 6 - Erin's dad, Terry, asked Mike to work with him at his farm. Mike needed this day and although Mike was a huge help to Terry, for Mike, he needed to do physical work. Truly a gift.
Jan. 20 - Our termite guy sprayed our house for free.
Jan. 22 - Received a $100 Visa card anonymously - seriously blown away by this. Again, this provided for us during a very busy basketball season.
As I'm writing this I am reminded of the kindness of people and feelings of being humble. Many times Mike and I tried to decline offers of kindness but when it comes down to it, people want to help during challenging times and they should be allowed to do so. Mike and I would humbly and gracefully accept, despite it being a little uncomfortable for us. I just have to shake my head because I didn't even finish writing about everything. Small odd jobs were provided to Mike during January and February from our neighbors, the Ausili's, a teacher friend of Kim's and the list goes on and on. My dear friend, Mary, would send me inspiring emails on days when I needed them. My friend, Karen, wrote beautiful prayers for me. My friend, Sarah, has lived on one income for years and she was a wealth of information on money saving tips. One very important event that happened six weeks before Mike's job loss was we refinanced the house. It was all part of God's perfect timing. We have tried to refinance our house three times over ten years. Every time we failed because our house wasn't done, too much of a risk the bank told us. Finally, we switched banks and wa-la, we got refinanced which lowered our payment by $350/month. Again, this is another blog I feel that I haven't done justice to. God was preparing us for this before it happened and during the hard months that followed. Mike and I continue to have a very steep mountain to climb but more to come on that later. Once again, God showed up, to help lead us on the climb.
Nov. 14 - Jenny bought POSH products from me and over paid me, big time. I was able to use this money to finish buying Christmas money for the boys.
Nov. 16 - My sister gave us gift cards. This provided for us on nights when the boys had basketball games and we needed to stop somewhere to eat dinner.
Nov. 24 - My mom paid for my hair cut and high light. Enough said about that. Any woman will understand how essential this is. My mom also gave Mike and I some peace of mind with a financial gift. She remembered that during her divorce her dad had given her $500 as a just in case security. It meant a lot to her then and it meant a lot to Mike and I now.
Nov. 29 - My brother in law, Craig, gave up his Sunday afternoon and helped Mike craft his resume.
Dec. 13 - Ausili's take us out to dinner. Such a nice gift during the month of December.
Dec. 16 - We received the distressing news that with our new insurance our boys' medication would cost us $278/month(We were paying $50/month). This was a day that I needed other people to carry us in prayer as I had nothing to give or feel. But that night, Jenny, brightened my day and brought me vodka. Hey, sometimes a girl just needs her vodka.
Dec. 17 - My dear friend, Laura, spent 1 1/2 hours on a work night helping us tweak Mike's resume and cover letter. She rocked it. I remember sitting with her and thinking my dear friend could rule the world!
Dec. 20 - Our oven broke.
Dec. 22 - My dad provided financially for the loss of the oven and he did not know the oven had broken.
Dec. 23 - Our friends, Erin and Neal, invite us over for dinner. Just the gift of being invited to dinner and sharing good company was enough. But my friend, Erin, is classy. Through the years I've had a subscription to People magazine (my guilty pleasure). I had mentioned to Erin that my subscription didn't make the budget (ha). So what did Erin do, she renewed my subscription and put the subscription announcement in my Christmas card. I have loved getting that magazine on Friday afternoons.
Dec. 22- Laura comments how happy Mike looks and how at ease Jay is. Mike and I notice very positive changes in Jay. This makes my heart sing.
Dec. 24 - Received a $200 check anonymously. This was such a gift.
Jan. 6 - Erin's dad, Terry, asked Mike to work with him at his farm. Mike needed this day and although Mike was a huge help to Terry, for Mike, he needed to do physical work. Truly a gift.
Jan. 20 - Our termite guy sprayed our house for free.
Jan. 22 - Received a $100 Visa card anonymously - seriously blown away by this. Again, this provided for us during a very busy basketball season.
As I'm writing this I am reminded of the kindness of people and feelings of being humble. Many times Mike and I tried to decline offers of kindness but when it comes down to it, people want to help during challenging times and they should be allowed to do so. Mike and I would humbly and gracefully accept, despite it being a little uncomfortable for us. I just have to shake my head because I didn't even finish writing about everything. Small odd jobs were provided to Mike during January and February from our neighbors, the Ausili's, a teacher friend of Kim's and the list goes on and on. My dear friend, Mary, would send me inspiring emails on days when I needed them. My friend, Karen, wrote beautiful prayers for me. My friend, Sarah, has lived on one income for years and she was a wealth of information on money saving tips. One very important event that happened six weeks before Mike's job loss was we refinanced the house. It was all part of God's perfect timing. We have tried to refinance our house three times over ten years. Every time we failed because our house wasn't done, too much of a risk the bank told us. Finally, we switched banks and wa-la, we got refinanced which lowered our payment by $350/month. Again, this is another blog I feel that I haven't done justice to. God was preparing us for this before it happened and during the hard months that followed. Mike and I continue to have a very steep mountain to climb but more to come on that later. Once again, God showed up, to help lead us on the climb.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Psalm 63:2
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory - Psalm 63:2.
Mike knew his job was coming to an end on Nov. 10 but it wasn't official. Rather than worry me (when it wasn't a "done deal" yet) Mike got up on the morning of Nov. 11, knowing he wouldn't be reporting to work, he made the decision to go to church. I've since asked Mike why he choose church? After all, many men would have picked a bar or a gambling boat or who knows what else. Mike tells me he figured he had nothing to lose, he wanted to see if there was something to the whole God thing. Before I start writing this blog I must warn you that this will be my hardest blog to write, not because it's hard for me to talk about, just the opposite. It's hard for me to put into words what happened to Mike and in fact when I tell people this part of our story, sadly, I leave certain parts out and trust me, this is the best part of the story. I don't intentionally leave details out, I just can't even begin to do justice to the story and there are still parts of the story that I don't even know about. I imagine there will always be parts of that day that will forever remain between Mike and God.
There are a few things you have to understand about Mike. He didn't go to college which has nothing to do with anything except to understand his work ethic. He graduated from high school and went right to work and literally worked himself to the bone. No matter what an employer asked him, he did it and would usually do more than what was asked. When his prior employer asked him to be in Chicago at 6 a.m., no problem, Mike got up at 2 a.m. and started his work day. When Mike was asked to work overtime on Saturdays and Sundays for 10 hours, no problem, he worked 14 hours. When our boys were 2 & 6 he left us for 3 weeks to work Hurricane Ike in TX. He worked 20 hours days. Getting four hours of sleep or less was nothing for Mike. He was the only person in his entire department that could run his job himself. Every other person in the country had to have help. He was the only person in his department who earned the highest rankings in his performance review. The point is, nothing was ever too much. I tell you this so you have a better understanding of the worker Mike was (and is) and how devastating this job loss was to him. He has recently told me that in the months leading up to his job loss he knew he should slow down and he had every intention of doing so. When Mike lost his job he had accumulated 85 days of vacation. Yes, 85 days! Every year he would maybe take 5 to 7 days off, that's it & that's only because I forced him to. For Mike, it was all work and no play.
On Nov. 11 he got up, dressed and left the house. He got to church about the time that the sun was coming up. Mike desperately wanted to see a sunrise (since he hadn't seen one in years. He was always working by sunrise). On this particular day it was cloudy and overcast. Mike said all the sudden the clouds separated and right in the middle the sun beamed down into Mike's car. The suns direct light wasn't meant for anyone but Mike that morning. Mike went into the church about 9 a.m. We go to a big, big church. Our church has a mega auditorium and in September they created a quant sanctuary. Mike had never been in the sanctuary. When he entered the church he was greeted by church workers, asking Mike if he needed anything. Mike said simply he just needed time. The employees told him he could find a bench anywhere in the church but the auditorium and sanctuary were locked up. As Mike searched the church for a quiet place where he could sit by himself he was drawn to a set of doors which were wide open. The lights were on and he realized the sanctuary was open and God had prepared a place for him. Mike has shared his story with a church worker and this gentleman has told Mike there is no explanation as to why those doors where unlocked, in fact, he says those doors are always locked during the week days. Mike sat in the sanctuary and I understand a few things about those hours he spent there. The presence of God was real to him. During that time he was hunched over, when he got up five hours later, he had no pain. Mike describes asking questions of himself and after awhile he stopped asking the questions and realized questions were still coming at him but he wasn't the one asking them. He repeatedly asked God for time. Time was a common request throughout the day. Mike has never been given the gift of time. He didn't beg for his job or a job but asked God for a light at the end of what would be a long and difficult road for his family. When the day was over he went home but he wasn't remotely the same person he had been before he entered that sanctuary. Mike says what should have been the worst day of his life was the best day of his life. God filled Mike with peace and strength. Mike drove home that afternoon to tell me what he thought was the worst news ever. He tells people that when he told me my reaction was such that it was like someone had already gotten there and prepared me for the news that Mike would deliver. But that someone was God. He had given me the strength I needed to absorb the news. And so on Nov. 11 began the journey.
Mike knew his job was coming to an end on Nov. 10 but it wasn't official. Rather than worry me (when it wasn't a "done deal" yet) Mike got up on the morning of Nov. 11, knowing he wouldn't be reporting to work, he made the decision to go to church. I've since asked Mike why he choose church? After all, many men would have picked a bar or a gambling boat or who knows what else. Mike tells me he figured he had nothing to lose, he wanted to see if there was something to the whole God thing. Before I start writing this blog I must warn you that this will be my hardest blog to write, not because it's hard for me to talk about, just the opposite. It's hard for me to put into words what happened to Mike and in fact when I tell people this part of our story, sadly, I leave certain parts out and trust me, this is the best part of the story. I don't intentionally leave details out, I just can't even begin to do justice to the story and there are still parts of the story that I don't even know about. I imagine there will always be parts of that day that will forever remain between Mike and God.
There are a few things you have to understand about Mike. He didn't go to college which has nothing to do with anything except to understand his work ethic. He graduated from high school and went right to work and literally worked himself to the bone. No matter what an employer asked him, he did it and would usually do more than what was asked. When his prior employer asked him to be in Chicago at 6 a.m., no problem, Mike got up at 2 a.m. and started his work day. When Mike was asked to work overtime on Saturdays and Sundays for 10 hours, no problem, he worked 14 hours. When our boys were 2 & 6 he left us for 3 weeks to work Hurricane Ike in TX. He worked 20 hours days. Getting four hours of sleep or less was nothing for Mike. He was the only person in his entire department that could run his job himself. Every other person in the country had to have help. He was the only person in his department who earned the highest rankings in his performance review. The point is, nothing was ever too much. I tell you this so you have a better understanding of the worker Mike was (and is) and how devastating this job loss was to him. He has recently told me that in the months leading up to his job loss he knew he should slow down and he had every intention of doing so. When Mike lost his job he had accumulated 85 days of vacation. Yes, 85 days! Every year he would maybe take 5 to 7 days off, that's it & that's only because I forced him to. For Mike, it was all work and no play.
On Nov. 11 he got up, dressed and left the house. He got to church about the time that the sun was coming up. Mike desperately wanted to see a sunrise (since he hadn't seen one in years. He was always working by sunrise). On this particular day it was cloudy and overcast. Mike said all the sudden the clouds separated and right in the middle the sun beamed down into Mike's car. The suns direct light wasn't meant for anyone but Mike that morning. Mike went into the church about 9 a.m. We go to a big, big church. Our church has a mega auditorium and in September they created a quant sanctuary. Mike had never been in the sanctuary. When he entered the church he was greeted by church workers, asking Mike if he needed anything. Mike said simply he just needed time. The employees told him he could find a bench anywhere in the church but the auditorium and sanctuary were locked up. As Mike searched the church for a quiet place where he could sit by himself he was drawn to a set of doors which were wide open. The lights were on and he realized the sanctuary was open and God had prepared a place for him. Mike has shared his story with a church worker and this gentleman has told Mike there is no explanation as to why those doors where unlocked, in fact, he says those doors are always locked during the week days. Mike sat in the sanctuary and I understand a few things about those hours he spent there. The presence of God was real to him. During that time he was hunched over, when he got up five hours later, he had no pain. Mike describes asking questions of himself and after awhile he stopped asking the questions and realized questions were still coming at him but he wasn't the one asking them. He repeatedly asked God for time. Time was a common request throughout the day. Mike has never been given the gift of time. He didn't beg for his job or a job but asked God for a light at the end of what would be a long and difficult road for his family. When the day was over he went home but he wasn't remotely the same person he had been before he entered that sanctuary. Mike says what should have been the worst day of his life was the best day of his life. God filled Mike with peace and strength. Mike drove home that afternoon to tell me what he thought was the worst news ever. He tells people that when he told me my reaction was such that it was like someone had already gotten there and prepared me for the news that Mike would deliver. But that someone was God. He had given me the strength I needed to absorb the news. And so on Nov. 11 began the journey.
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