The words joint venture sound like an exciting adventure that two or more companies will jointly embark on. Creating new solutions to old problems. Increasing productivity and generate additional profits. Having access to greater resources. Sharing of risks and costs.
Halfway through my crazy work day I received an invitation for an unscheduled meeting. I almost blew it off but then thought what the heck, I better be good and attend it.
The meeting started normally with a reflection. Then for about thirty minutes there was talk of improvement, aligning of core values and I kept hearing the words joint venture. Then it ended.
It wasn’t until our second meeting that I became fully aware of what was being told to our home health agency. We were going on a joint venture with another company.
It was as if someone said, “FOOD FIGHT!” Questions erupted from worried fellow workers faster than I could say, “Hey something just hit the fan, put your helmet on!”
Many anxious questions were asked, “are we going to lose our jobs?” “What about our retirement, longevity, and vacation?” “What company will we be a part of?”
The emotions ranged from anger to sadness, and shock. I didn’t hear any glee of excitement about going on a new adventure.
The unknown loomed over everyone causing unwanted stress and leaving folks feeling like they had just been sucker punched in the gut.
HELLO UNKNOWN, I don’t want you, go away and leave me alone!
“And we know that God works all things together for our good, for those who love Him. – Romans 8:28
Personally, I love adventures and how life can throw some unpredictable circumstances my way. But this particular situation hit me to the core. The one thing besides God in my life that feels stable and predictable is my job and retirement.
I have been preparing for my later years by getting all my ducks in a row. My job is stable, I understand it, and I can manage the little constant changes that arise. It’s a good happy place for me.
God! What are you doing!
I’ve had a couple of weeks to think about this upsetting news and have heard what others are saying about this major change. All I can say is that the UNKNOWN is looming before me and I don’t feel very stable and safe right now.
“The heart of man plans his own way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
From past experiences, this is the hardest part for me when I’m forced to face a difficult trial in my life. It’s like being on a planned hike. Happily, I make my way up to the top of a mountain to enjoy a beautiful scene. I’m about to reach the spot when a storm erupts. Wind tosses me around; rain soaks my clothing. As I’m being pushed uncontrollably to the edge of a cliff, I desperately grab at branches trying to stop my progression.
Then I find myself looming over a cliff. This is when I am presented with some choices. Do I kick and scream as I leave the ledge expelling all of my emotions before I hit bottom? Do I keep grasping at the past wishing I could go back to it? Or do I look forward and reach out to the extended hand of God before me and take a confident step forward into the unknown with Him.
“If God’s way of thinking is literally light years ahead of ours, we shouldn’t be so surprised when He interrupts our plans with the unexpected.” – Marnie Grigsby
Oh, I hate this! But my choice will be to grab the hand that I am familiar with. Even through the craziness of work and retirement changes, I will confidently keep my eyes on the one and only true savior that I know and trust. Just saying these words out loud gives me reassurance. As I walk this unexpected adventure, I know without a doubt in my mind that I will grow and reap benefits beyond my imagination.
What all these benefits may be, I don’t know. But I’m sure that when I look back on this blog a year from now that I will have a clearer picture of what God’s plan was and why He allowed my perfectly planned job and retirement to be uprooted.
“A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born.” — Antoine de Saint-Exuper
To my fellow co-workers. I know that each one of us will travers this unknown change to different destinations. I pray that through all of this that you remember what is true and stable. It’s obviously not our jobs or retirement plans that give us stability and a reason to live, but its God who we draw our strength from. It’s God who lights our path when its dark and murky. It’s God who comforts us when the anxiety and anger stirs within us causing us to feel out of control.
Don’t forget that God is right beside you. Just take his hand and be confident that He has EVERYTHING under control. When you reach the end of this journey, look back and see how much you have grown and how many blessings God has bestowed upon you.
“How can you know what you’re capable of if you don’t embrace the unknown?” — Esmeralda Santiago
Image by Mongkolchon Akesin on iStock
Gwen
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