After rededicating my life to God during the second semester of my freshmen year of college, everything gradually fell back into place for me. Every position I applied for except for one I received, in some cases having to decline offers. From 1988-2010, life seemed easy, like I could do anything I put my mind to. When the school I was teaching for began to struggle financially and eventually was sold during the school year, I actually thought I would make a smooth transition to another career. Unfortunately, almost one year later, I was dead wrong!
When you are blessed with many talents, sometimes you get over confident or don’t work as hard as you are use to like first round draft picks in professional sports. Then again, technology has drastically changed from the days of Cad, MS-Dos and Word Perfect when I graduated from the University of Delaware. Anyway, I have gone from thinking I could do anything to a fear I can’t do anything right. Solomon was right when he said, “humility comes before honor,” Proverbs 16:33b. I just hope the humility part of my life has come to an end or is about to conclude.
As for now, its back to the drawing board. Instead of having a touch of gold, my cover letters and resumes have turned into fools gold. Despite these setbacks, I am laying in prayers of friends and relying on the words of Scripture to slowly restore my self-confidence. However, I am no longer naive about my current state. Alone, I can’t do anything but try, cry and try again, In the long run, Proverbs 16:9 will determine where I land or where I fall. Bethany Hamilton was right in Soul Surfer, quoting Philippians 4:13 numerous times. With Christ I can do something, exactly what my next career is, only God knows.
I’ll let Bernie Taupin close this one out with his song sung by Elton John, “I’m Still Standing.”
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use
Well look at me, I’m coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I’m still standing you just fade away
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time