I was in the 5th or 6th grade when mom enrolled me and my sisters in Charm school. Oh, what fun we had preparing for the fashion show. I remember the clothing was sponsored by Zayre, the discount retailer for which my mom worked. We were so excited to pick out the outfits to model, learn to walk the runway and pivot. The Charm school wasn’t just modeling, hair and makeup. We had etiquette classes, but my mom had already taught us how to set the table for dinner- the table cloth, placemats, forks on the left, spoons and knives on the right, drinking cups/ glasses on the right, pitcher of Kool aid , salt, pepper and condiments in the center for convenience, napkin placement, side dishes strategically placed for passing around the table, etc. This joyous memory from my youth came to mind when thinking about the divinely prepared table in 2016.
2015 was a very trying year for me and my family. Although, our must painful losses were suffered years prior, the sheer number of losses in 2015 took the wind out of us. On top of all this, I was navigating trials at work, as the agency that I had been contracted with for the past 7 years, let’s call this Company A , was preparing to transition operations from Atlanta, Georgia to Salt Lake City, Utah. We were going to lose our jobs. Couple this stress with trying to close out the fiscal year under new management with directors, managers, and supervisors who didn’t really know the work, the customers, the processes, the deliverables, nor their roles. Internally, things were beginning to implode- corroding from the top down. And oh, the lies that were spread to create and keep dissention in the midst. Absolute chaos!
As ‘things’ rolled down hill, many of us found our long workdays, extended. The more I worked, the more I was attacked by fearful, lying coworkers and supervisors. I fervently prayed the Word of the Lord at Isaiah 54:17 and Isaiah 26:3 daily - reminding Him and myself that the weapons forming will not prosper and the tongues coming against me… well, they have an expected end. Standing on these words is how I got through the incredibly long, trying days. So, you can only imagine my surprise when the clinical director came to my desk early one morning and said he was told to see me. Turns out he was evaluating operations and leaders to prepare for the transfer of work to SLC. But…see me? In my head I was thinking…how did he know me? And who sent him to see me?
Fast forward a few months to January 2016, when the next clinical director came to me and asked that I consider moving to SLC to assist with training and transitioning the work from Atlanta. Now, how did she know me? And why me over others with more seniority?
The final decision on relocating me to SLC was delayed, so I accepted another offer. After a few months with Company B, I was offered a position with Company C pending the contract award. As I continued with Company B while awaiting the contract award for Company C, I received a call from the management for Company A asking me to relocate to SLC to transition the work from Atlanta. Since the opportunity with Company C was on hold, I accepted and relocated to SLC.
I must say, I was completely taken aback by the warm reception from the director, the medical director, the program manager, customers, staff, nurse coordinators in field, supervisors, and reviewing medical officers. It took all of me not to run around the building in downtown SLC and at my extended stay suite praising our God. God had indeed prepared a table for me before the presence of my enemies, He anointed me, and my cup overflowed with His favor. (Psalm 23:5)
I had no idea any of these folks knew who I was nor noticed my work, my absence… and then to welcome me back. In fact, some of these folks were instigators of the chaos; and in all honesty, I considered some ‘the bane of my existence’.
Once the work was transitioned and stable, I relocated to Florida for the position with Company C. And again, to my surprise the CFO of the company sat with me during lunch and shared that the Director of the partnering company (I know, it’s confusing) asked about me. You know what ran through my mind - how do these people know me and why are they asking about me? By the time the contract ended, I was an Associate Director.
I share these experiences in hopes that anyone who is working as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) -with an indisputable work ethic and in excellence- yet are taken for granted, feeling unappreciated and warring against the usual workplace shenanigans would be encouraged. In addition to knowing those weapons won’t prosper, know that the Lord sees you and He is preparing the table. Press forward because your gift will bring you before great men, the people who matter. Give no thought to who you think should notice, because at the set time, the Lord will open the eyes of the right people and your cup will be running over with His favor. Stay the course and watch God!
The Word of My Testimony
Psalms 23:5 - Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Proverbs 18:16 - A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;