So as I continue to share how God is moving, I want to expand a little on the second church play that both Kristine and I had the joy of taking part in. I briefly alluded to it in a previous blog and want to point out how God directly used the storyline in my own personal life. The story as I made mention of had to deal with a person who was expecting a big bonus so that he would be able to take his wife on a vacation to Hawaii for their anniversary.
My part was his boss who had to deliver the bad news. Instead of handing him a bonus check I had to hand him a layoff notice. The news was not good and he was encouraged to drop his pride and bend his knees and ask God to help him through this crisis. God brings encouragement through different people and their personal experiences. The main character was brought thru it all and God was given all the Glory.
While in the process of rehearsals I got a poster advertising the dates and times. I asked my boss if I could hang it up when he asked what is what about. I told him I played a boss handing out layoff notices; he shot a look over to my co-worker. That made me wonder! The company had been struggling on the financial side and needed to be proactive in increasing the bottom line. It was less than a week after the play that a meeting was called at the plant and we all received the bad news that they would be closing in two months.
I was floored, shocked, scared, but not angry. I knew something was coming, I just didn’t think it would be this. 6 months shy of 22 years on the job; I will be 54 when it all comes to an end. It did not put a smile on my face. First thing that ran though my mind is, what am I going to do? In my line of work there are fewer and fewer jobs close to home. In the 50’s and up to the mid 90’s there had been several places that could have used my experience. Technology and efficiency has done a number in the printing industry and the digital age has all but put the small private company in peril. Without corporate backing they can’t afford the cost to change over. So the company, where I put 22 years of my life, had become a casualty to technology and not being efficient. Now I would have to search for a job, work on a resume, and hope something would turn up.
I never felt betrayed. The company offered help through a service with the job seeking process. I filled out all the paper work and sent over 40 resumes. I also contacted my brother and told him to let me know of anything. Deep down I think I was a little scared and depressed, but I never doubted one time that God would take care of Kristine and I. I wanted to be a testimony that God would be with me on my path. A testimony of His provision and Faithfulness in His word, that He would meet my needs. And guess what? He did just that. Immediately after my last day, I went through some testing and started a new job 3 days after my last one. 12 hours a day 7 days a week for about 4 weeks. The money would be nice and after the overtime – 4/10’s! A three day weekend every week is very exciting. The big issue? A 45% pay cut when the overtime ends and I am just on a 40 hour work schedule. So it will be a challenge to stay on budget. That’s okay. My God has been Faithful, and I believe He will stay Faithful and will meet every need Kristine and I have.
The irony of the play and what happened to me is too cool. God has a way of showing Himself to us and using our every day circumstances to do that. God is great, and I will praise Him in all that I do, because He deserves all Honor and Praise. Through all of this it has given me a different perspective on the work world. Hmmm…
Markley's Blog 
I had 21 years at a company when I lost my job. 5 months later I was working doing something completely different than what I was trained for. I became a union electrician and never looked back. I feel I have learned much more than I ever would have if I had stayed working at Panduit. There is one thing I did learn from it though. Nowadays with most companies it’s all about the bottom line. If an employee becomes a liability it’s c-ya! No loyalty anymore. You may think a company needs you but when you leave, somehow they manage. I heard someone use the analogy of sticking your hand in a bucket of water. When you pull it out, how much of an impression do you leave? That’s how most companies look at their employees now. Sad. I’m glad you are working things out!
Encouraging story, Uncle Mike!