Double Portion
Have you ever had a Job experience, an experience of longstanding pain, suffering, and affliction? While my life experiences are not comparable to the experience of Job, I can relate to his feelings of bitterness, anxiety, and living in fear. About three years ago, I found myself in a place of many uncertainties that left me no choice but to trust and believe in God. I worked as a substitute teacher at a local elementary school, making almost a third of what I made at the job I was asked to resign from. Anyone who knows me knows that I love teaching and working with children, but during this time in my life, I felt like a complete failure. Here I was, a licensed teacher with a doctorate, working as a substitute teacher. A month earlier, I had taken a job that I felt was "more aligned" with my career plans. After working in the position for about two months, I was asked to resign. It was so unexpected, and I felt blindsided. For a moment, I was relieved, I would no longer have to commute, but then fear consumed me. How was I going to contribute to our bills? Help to provide for my son?
I completed many applications and was invited to several interviews, yet no success. However, I was blessed to find a long-term substitute position after being unemployed for a month. Yet and still, I could not avoid thinking about what I would do for the summer months. If I didn't find a way to earn more money, we would most certainly be in a financial rut. Then, the Lord spoke to me, so clearly," apply for an EIN." Really, I had no interest in becoming a business owner, but I was obedient. I thought of a name for my business and proceeded with the necessary paperwork.
A couple of weeks later, I attended a women's conference. During the closing, the speaker called me to the front and prophesied that the Lord would bless me with a business. Confirmation. This was a lot to wrap my head around. Although I had a business name, Jo Jones Consults, I did not have a business plan. It eventually came together, but I did not know how to successfully launch a business with no funds or where my clients would come from. I stepped out on faith and planned a writing boot camp geared towards graduate students working on their thesis and dissertation. I prayed throughout the process, asking God to bless me with resources, and He did. People poured into my business financially and through kind acts of service. I was amazed because there was no evidence of my work as a writing consultant. I did not even have one client.
From the boot camp, I connected with potential clients, some of whom eventually became my clients. Things were looking up, but I still did not have a full-time job. I became a worrying warrior again. Then right before the school year came to an end, I was offered a job as a middle school teacher. Not exactly what I had hoped for, but exactly what I needed to prepare me for my subsequent increase.
As I look back, I am reminded of how the Lord continued to bless me through a time of embarrassment and seemingly financial ruin. I can honestly say the shame I felt was replaced by a double portion, my small business and a new job, both of which prepared me for the work I do today. Moreover, my faith was strengthened. I learned to call on the names of God in my prayers and witnessed His blessings and favor. I found Him to be Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.
Sometimes in life, you will experience trials and stumbling blocks that make you feel defeated. Remember that failure and lack are inevitable, but defeat is always a choice. Choose to trust and submit to God during the process. Choose to win.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57