Celebrating The Moment

Thanksgiving
Fifteen years and fourteen African countries later, and I am still thankful, still happily and readily learning, and yet still aspiring, longing in fact, for more.

It’s almost fifteen years to the day since I started working and when I think about the journey to the destination of that first paid employment, the remembrance comes with warm yet defiant memories. That first paid employment.

After completing post-graduate studies it was of course time to realise the benefits of all those many years of studying and learning. So, the work hunt, the job hunt began. The journey lasted almost a year.

Yes. Almost twelve whole months.

I was determined to seek and find employment within my field of study and interest, that is, international development, public sector reform, with reference to Africa. Applications were completed day in, day out. Some were completed for posts in the UK, others for posts in Nairobi, Abidjan, Washington or wherever and with whoever else I felt I could work with to pursue that area of professional and personal interest.

Believe me, although I was not counting, I must have completed a thousand odd application forms and/or CVs during that time. The expectation, the wait, the agony, the pain. When? Will I? Could I?

Our greatest fear
These were questions I asked myself day in, day out. Will I? Could I? When will I get that job? Will I, could I even, get that job?

After some two months or so of agonising anxiety and wondering if I really ought not to have completed a degree in Law or Accountancy, I decided to do something useful /add value to my job search by engaging in voluntary work with organisations that work in the sector that I desired to be employed in.

Two offered me positions – oh yes, competition for voluntary work with many organisations is thick and fast.

I found myself engaged in voluntary work twice a week for Oxfam Campaigns, and three times a week for the Institute for African Alternatives, a development policy research institute. I doubled up that three to four times a week by working in the evenings in paid employment as a market researcher. And there were mornings when I hopped on the wrong London Underground train, not quite sure which of my three work stations I was headed for.

Days were good and days were bad. And I kept asking: ‘When?’ And also asking ‘Will I?’

Advice and Counsel
As if the agony of all of that was not enough, some ‘friends’ thought to periodically ‘advise’ me. Scorn at me. Pity party here…!

In not so many words what they were saying was that I may not be quite as intelligent as all those many university degrees that I held suggested. Otherwise, why would one graduate from two of the UK’s top universities and then embark on voluntary work?

Well, foolish as I may have seemed, the strategy was that since I was determined to work in my sector of interest and yet paid employment was not yet forthcoming, rather than either

(i) sit at home and be depressed whilst I complete five job application forms a day, or
(ii) take up paid employment in a sector not of primary interest but which would give me an income

I chose to offer my knowledge and skills as a volunteer worker in the hope that the experience gained would eventually propel me to attaining employment in that sector of preference.

And that is exactly what happened.

Fifteen years later
I have worked with three major global organisations, enjoying a satisfying career, and have made some lifelong friendships on the circuit. In addition, my remuneration has increased over that time by some 900%, inflation adjusted and all.

Now, tell me, should I not be celebrating the moment?

So in celebrating I pray:

(i) May the work of our hands always be blessed: Deuteronomy 33v9
(ii) May The Lord teach us to profit and lead us in the way that we should go.
(iii) May the plans that The Lord has for us, good plans and plans that are not of evil, plans to give us a hope and a blessed outcome, come to pass in each of our lives
(iv) May The Lord continue to turn around our captivity, as He did that of Zion. So that we would be like those who dreamed. Then our mouths would fill with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then we would say among the nations, ‘the Lord has done great things for us.’ The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad. Psalm 126 v 1-4
(v) In the midst of difficult times may we be able to be still and know that He is Lord. May we be able to stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord, which He will accomplish for us today, for the Egyptians we see today, we shall indeed see them no more! Exodus 1 v 13

Promotion

“So, did you plan for this promotion then? You know, late nights, corporate socialising and so on?”

“No, actually, I did nothing of the sort.”

After yelling in celebratory excitement at the news of a friend’s recent promotion the other day (and very senior level promotion, I might add), I settled down, comforted that it is indeed well.

You know that verse that says that he that is diligent with his work will sit before kings? In the book of Proverbs, I think. Talk about it. I was reminded that my quiet time should be more affectionate and less of a religious requirement.

Imagine walking into your office one day and being asked by senior management if you wanted the senior most position in your department? Imagine being told that senior management believed that you had the very capability to excel in the position, but are willing to give you some time to try out the position and if you didn’t like it, if you felt that it was too demanding, you could go back to your old position in a few months? Imagine.

Well, that’s exactly what happened. The position had unexpectedly become vacant and immediately my friend came into remembrance. of those in her workplace who could change he story there for good. Hmm. May we all come into the remembrance of those who can change our stories for good.

The most curious and amusing part of this for me was the reaction of another who was relayed this good news. Their innocent and blameless question was as I quoted at the top the page:

“So, did you plan for this promotion then? You know, late nights, corporate socialising and so on?”

My friend’s response was simply that The Lord has ordered her steps. No, don’t scorn. Hear me out.

Imagine working well and working late. Working diligently. Determined to conscientiously work well. Imagine wondering why your senior had that position and not you, given that you so obviously are performing better in the position than they are. Imagine asking your Creator, The Creator of the universe when your lot is going to change, over and over again.

Imagine just from nowhere, you also start to progessively change your corporate wardrobe. Less smart casual. More corporate, business wear. Imagine, unbeknown to you, beginning to look the part, even if you did not know what the part was.

So when the corporate lawyer asked my friend how she has planned the promotion, the only answer she could give was that The Lord had ordered her steps. Being in the fierce corporate legal world, he was used to hostile takeovers, mergers and acquisitions, boardroom dramas. To him, you get by in life only through skilful cerebral, intellectual strategy. Imagine his shock to hear that none such deliberate strategy had been planned.

Fear not my child, I am with you always

Girl, Look at You!

Celebrating Gender Female
This one is particularly for my lady subscribers: this landed on my inbox this morning - I just had to share it.

Girl, just look at you, with your pretty self. You are so beautiful! Not only are you beautiful, but you have the nerve to be talented and gifted by God. Hold your head up Girl and know that you are loved and appreciated. Don't give the enemy any place to cause you to have low self-esteem or doubt. You are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. This is your year to decree it and speak it!

This is the year of new beginnings. So get your step on Girl, because God is faithful to perform all that He has promised to you! Be confident in Him and His word. The words you speak from your mouth determine your outcome. Why not speak good and positive things over your life Girl? You are not defeated but rather you are more than a conqueror. You have been through a lot in your life and look at you now, just as pretty and as strong as ever!

Oh, how blessed you are. Look what God has done and look where He has brought you from. Begin to bless God and praise Him for all that He has done, and for making you so beautiful! He had you in His precious hands all the time. Your life is orchestrated by Him. He knows you and what is best for you. Believe that He has even greater things in store for you and your family. Girl, get over the silly stuff and grab hold of faith. Seek God as never before. Sure, times are hard, but God is Good! Learn to love who He has made you to be. There is no one like YOU. -Author Unknown

Celebrating the love of Christ, The King