We can trust HIM

I wrote in my most recent post that Paul was fired from UPS for a car accident that was not his fault...then re-hired to a job that he could not do. The circumstances were bleak -- and that's putting it mildly. Paul followed through on turning in his resignation with the company, because he had no other alternative (that we could see with human eyes). Still, the situation was an absolute roller coaster.

The weekend was heavy. Tense.

Monday morning, Paul received a call from UPS offering him a different position within UPS that would allow him to work without doing the preload position that destroys his herniated discs. It is hard to describe all that has happened in the past week since the accident. I won't try. But, I will say briefly that Paul has employment with UPS for the time being.

Paul will begin working temporary/seasonal full-time as a driver on October 3rd. That position will carry through until after the busy Christmas season. Then, there is supposed to be another temporary position for Paul that will take him through the end of February. After that??? Not so sure.

His first full week at UPS as a seasonal driver will be Oct 7-11. So, we still have some mountains to climb. Though, at this point, we have grasped that it is not us who climbs these mountains...rather, the Lord carries us. We can do nothing in our own strength. Paul can work. He can work hard. I can serve my family. But, there comes a point where you know, "God, I cannot do this without you." That is the point that God wants all of us to live in. All the time.

We still need some miraculous provision. This has been one of the hardest years of our lives. These financial and health trials are like nothing we have ever been through together. The emotional upheaval is rough. Though, I think we are dealing with it better than we could have any previous year. I think.

It is still the cry of our hearts that "God is good. He means all these things for our good. His loving kindness endures forever. We can trust Him." The words may change, but the themes remain the same.

The Loving Father is continuing to teach us day by day that He is Good and we can trust Him.

Life Altering Decision (AKA-Kangaroo Court)

As I wrote y-day, Paul's job has been in limbo...

UPS determined that (though Paul was not at fault in the accident) the accident was "avoidable." It would hurt your brain for me to explain the exact way they determined that. Just take my word for it, it makes no sense. So, Paul lost his driving job. He will not be going full time this month as we were anticipating. Two weeks ago, Paul was told that he would start this month. Today he was fired.

BUT, thanks to (or maybe, no thanks to) the union, Paul is still allowed to work part time on the preload. Unfortunately, Paul's back is still unable to physically handle that job (because of the herniated discs).

SO...long story short, since Paul cannot do the work that he is allowed to do with UPS, he intends to quit Monday.

We are at peace with this decision. Truly. We are angry about the injustice of firing him on the grounds that the accident was "avoidable," when it was not...but God is at work. God is in this. God is all over this. We are going to move forward trusting that God will show us what to do next.

Please pray. 

A Wrecked Plan?

We all make plans. Sometimes these plans come into being...sometimes they don't. That is part of the reason  that the Bible tells us:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

For the last four or so years, our family has been saying "Lord willing, Paul will be a full-time driver at UPS soon...."

But, this whole year has been one problem with the UPS job after another. And, this week there has been a new challenge. Paul got into a wreck with his UPS truck (technically called a package car) on Monday afternoon. HE WAS NOT INJURED! The wreck was NOT his fault, someone ran a stop sign and hit him. No one is disputing that the wreck is not his fault. But, UPS has a higher standard. They ask, "Was this wreck 'avoidable'?" And, if they find out that the wreck was avoidable then Paul will be fired or disqualified from driving.

Tomorrow morning at 9:30AM, Paul will be in a meeting that will determine (humanly speaking) his future with UPS.

The Lord knows all. The Lord is VERY good to us. He means this for our good. And, we are continually giving thanks throughout this situation. All week we have been saying, "Thank you, Lord, that you mean this for our good." I even wrote a song along those lines.Yet, it has been a very hard year... we would appreciate your prayers!

I will try to update tomorrow with the verdict.