Writer Sandie Eggers Seagroves shares her journey of unexpected job loss that ultimately led her to discover God’s greater plan for her life. Through seasons of uncertainty, she reflects on how faith, provision, and trust shaped her path from unemployment to fulfilling freelance work.
“When you get done with your shift, I’d like to see you,” said the general manager as he poked his head into the studio. I finished my two-hour shift “working the board”– cueing up commercials and managing the satellite feed - for KXEL Radio AM 1540. l signed out on the log. Went to the GM’s office. Knocked.
“Come in. Sit down”, he said. “I’m really sorry to have to do this.” His deep brown eyes reinforced his message. “But I’m going to have to let you go. Effective end of today.” With those dreaded words, God pushed me into the unemployment line.
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About a month later in August, the editor of a daily newspaper in Waterloo, Iowa, hired me to write promotional copy for a special newspaper supplement promoting a local hospital’s renovation. The freelance project was fun; I’ve always enjoyed writing marketing copy. The hospital received compliments on the supplement, which certainly pleased my client, the Waterloo Courier. l was then hired to write copy for more of its supplements.
I did not see myself as a freelance.
However, I did not see myself as a freelance. So, I continued looking for full-time work while completing my bachelor’s degree, graduating in May. With degree in hand, I was certain I’d soon be working full-time in a challenging job with a comfortable salary. But that was not to be.
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Spring became summer, summer became fall. It was now more than two years since my position had been eliminated. And I still had no job. What I didn’t realize was that God was trying to get through my thick skull that he had other plans: freelance. I relented. I said, “OK, God, if freelance is what you want for me, I’ll do it. But You’ll have to provide the opportunities.”
Hah! I had God right where I wanted him. Or so I thought. (Actually, I was too chicken to step forward entirely in faith. I wanted God to move first.) And do you know what? He did. From the newspaper position, he also opened other jobs, work for a quarterly publication, a banking newsletter, magazine articles, and most surprising of all, a call from a national insurance broker headquartered in Des Moines. It was more than a year since I had corresponded with them. And now they wanted me to fill in for a direct mail copywriter who was going on maternity leave.
God was also meeting needs that were even more important than that paycheck.
God was also meeting needs that were even more important than that paycheck. I had more time for our 10-year-old son, Karl. Each school day I was able to kiss him goodbye and greet him when he returned.
God provided then…and he provides now. Do I ever doubt? Yes. I sometimes let the waves of doubt swamp my boat of faith. But through it all I try to remember the Apostle Peter, as he and the other disciples cowered in a storm-tossed boat. Peering into the distance, the apostles see a faint figure, then hear that familiar warm voice girded with authority: “Take courage! It is I; don’t be afraid.”
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Impetuous, faith-filled Peter blurts out, “Lord if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus bids Peter to come and Peter steps out of the boat. There he was, walking on calm seas, unaffected, while the tempest of the natural world raged around him. But then Peter took his eyes off Jesus and saw the raging waves. Fear froze his heart; he panicked. Peter began to sink, crying out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter, saying, “You of little faith; why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:22-31 NIV). Therein lies the lesson.
When I fix my eyes of faith on him, trusting in his Word, I walk on the placid waters of his grace, untroubled by life’s storms. I try not to worry about my human needs; I let God know about them through prayer. I try not to forget what he’s already done; I thank him for his blessings. And his peace, one that exceeds any human power, guards my mind and heart in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
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