Thank God for unanswered prayers

Do you know the 1998 song from Garth Brooks "Thank God for unanswered prayers"? I faced this today. Two and a half years ago I interviewed for and so desperately wanted a certain job. I prayed hard every day to please just help me get this job. I could do this job. It would provide the financial stability my family so fiercely needed. You know the ending. I didn't get the job.

At that time in our life nothing was stable. Joe was going through the testing and appointments that eventually led to the diagnosis of young onset Alzheimer's. He had lost his job and my store was closing. Our oldest was graduating from college and off to Vet school. Nothing in our life was stable.

Four people recommended me for this job. Four great people, with great credentials behind them recommended me. I interviewed for the job and waited and waited. I sent follow up emails that were briefly answered. I prayed daily. Months later a friend called to ask how I was doing since the job had been filled. I had never even received notification that someone else was hired. It hurt. It hurt a lot. If four people recommended me for this job and I couldn't get it then what job could I get. How would I get a job in a job market that was scarce.

I just saw the Director of the Department. At first I felt a stab. She couldn't even have someone let me know the job had been filled. But then I stopped and remembered what I had later realized, that job was not for me. I had realized after the job had been filled that I was just desperate for stability. I wanted to be able to provide for me family and erase one of the huge burdens I had felt at the time.

Seeing the Director today brought to me to the Garth Brooks song. Today, now with the job I have, with the joy I experience at work, today I thank God for that unanswered prayer.