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Vision Perspective

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4: 25-27 (NLT)

The feelings of frustration started cropping up about how things were being handled at my workplace. After being there a while, I knew the processes well. There were decisions made and actions taken that didn’t make sense to me regarding my job. The different departments I closely worked with were not prioritizing our shared work as they had in the past. I expressed my irritation to a coworker who agreed, but she also reminded me “not your vision”. Being caught up in the office activities and my irritation, I had forgotten that mantra. Losing sight momentarily of my vision had made me veer off the path.

Several months ago this type of frustration cropped up. I realized that I was working in someone else’s vision temporarily. Their choices made about their vision were for their vision. When I got bothered about the choices made, I had to let it go. The statement I came up with at that moment was “Not my vision”. Saying or thinking this to myself made it easy to get back on track, let things go, and move on.

This current frustration wasn’t different from before, I was just so caught up in it. What God eventually impressed on me was “do not build a brick house in a campground”. I pictured in my mind building such a substantial structure as a brick house in a campground that is usually a place for a brief visit. I had to laugh at myself because I was there for a season. The season may last longer than expected, but it is just that, a season. It occurred to me that I was beginning to take ownership and invest too much emotional energy into a vision that was not mine. I was to work for a season in someone else’s vision before moving fully into my own. There was more to learn before moving on confident that a person’s steps are directed by the Lord…(Proverbs 20:24). The workplace frustration and irritation minimized as I refocused on God and kept walking on the path of my vision.

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A Reminder to Speak Love

Today my company sent out an email featuring all the employee work anniversaries for the month. My name was listed along with my start date. It is bittersweet. As I am thankful to continue to work and have a job, I also remember my mother who passed away on my first day of work. Both of my parents are deceased now, and they are a reminder to say I love you to all I hold dear still living.

Before my father passed away, I missed the opportunity to tell him I loved him. One fall weekend, my father called. I did not answer the call and thought I would call him later, I have time. A couple of days later, I was at work when I got the call that he had passed. Not only did I grieve his passing, I grieved my failure of not telling him I loved him when the opportunity was there. I had time, but my father didn’t.

Ten years later, my mother was in hospice. She was not cognizant, but I made it a priority to tell her I loved her before she passed. I called because I lived far away, and asked the nurse to put the phone to her ear as she was transitioning. I told her, “Mommy, I love you”. My sister, who was in her room at the time would later reveal that my mother responded to my words.

After my father, I don’t ever want to miss an opportunity to tell my family and friends that I love them. The regret I felt, due to my failure to act in my father’s final days was the last lesson he taught me. So today, on the anniversary of my mother passing, I am lovingly reminded to say I love you.

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Don’t Fight the Seasons

While talking on the phone with a friend of mine, her fiance sent her a text. The text detailed the outsourcing of jobs at his workplace starting this summer. I immediately asked her if her fiance was effected by this. As soon as I asked the question, I said
“Don’t fight the seasons. If the season is over for this job then just go with it. God is moving him on to something bigger and better. Fighting the seasons is like fighting your blessings and God’s plan for your life.”

Ecclesiastes. 3:1 says For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…

It reminded me of a job where I was originally hired as a temp for six months. That job lasted for three years. During that three years I was diagnosed and went through treatment for cancer (a season of illness). At that time, I had no health insurance because of my temporary job status (a season of financial overwhelm). The majority of my treatment was over when I was informed of my job loss. I understood the season was over. The job did what it was supposed to do in the time frame it lasted. As a single mom in the fight of my life, it kept a roof over our heads and food on the table. I didn’t fight it. I was at peace. The job no longer belonged to me and no longer needed my involvement. The assignment was over. Since God was and is my provider, He would move me on to the next opportunity.

Management seemed surprised by my sense of peace with this news. They frequently questioned me about my response. I had peace that surpassed all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I trusted God. He was and is my provider. I later approached the Director who approved the extended time. I told her the season was over. I was thankful and appreciative for the time I was there. I was especially grateful for the support while going through my season of illness.

After a couple of months of job searching, I interviewed for a long term temp position with a different company. I was unsure this opportunity would materialize. A couple of days later, I was offered full-time employment with health benefits which was a blessing. God worked it out. Understand that every event and experience is seasonal which helps you to move forward. God is moving you to learn the next lesson and become who you need to become. He is moving you into what He has for you.