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Writer's pictureJo Beth Boyles

Lessons and parables from 2020

Like many, I lost my career in 2020. My job was not first, however it was enjoyable. It was a position that used all the gifts and skills that I have accumulated on this journey. Perhaps it is the touch of Scottish ancestry that I hold or my spiritual nature, but I knew the permanent layoff was going to happen to me. In a year I had taken a program and increased profit over 30%. Our programming numbers had increased by 200%. The community swim program was to have 100 spots in 2020. My wonderful team and I knew that these would be filled. Our team was a total of 41 persons that ranged in age from 16 to 87. Old equipment was replaced by asking other "branches" if they had extra and unused. Every hurdle that was put before me, I made it over with joy. In my Moravian church, we have a song , Jesus Makes my heart rejoice. One of the lines says "Should I not for gladness leap, Lead by Jesus as his sheep". Challenges were met with joy. I would have stayed and helped rebuild. The relationships would have remained intact with what our world calls the special needs but I call gifted children.


Many times when problems arise such as businesses try to survive 2020, sacrifices are made. Usually it is the older staff that go out the door first. In truth I did have one or two days where it felt like I was a faithful old sheep put out to pasture. However, just like in the Old Testament Book of Job, I knew good things would be arriving. These new blessings can not replace what is gone but much joy can be found in this new journey.


My EMT skills that I picked along my life journey filled the need to care for others. I am a fixer. God provided a lead with WSR. This is a company that works with surgeons who prescribe a VascuTherm unit to patients who are having bone surgery. I bring this device into someone's home and in a few months return to pick up the unit. Two young men hired me to do this work on a part time basis. I travel the Piedmont and Mountain areas a couple times a month. The "fixer" need is met in that I am helping people. This also fills the need to take the back roads, visit the country stores and possibly look into an old graveyard.


A person from the YMCA that I only knew in passing, contacted me about a lead for a job that their parent had heard about. This temp position was higher paying than what I was making in middle management after 10years of working for the YMCA. This temp job lead to a full-time position using some long ago gained skills and using the coaching, teaching skills and life skills I have picked up along the way.


Bitterness is not something I have in my heart. I also know that many people are still struggling with job loss. Please do not give up. This blessing called life is a journey and just like a walk, hills, valleys and even sometimes the unexpected turns up, like a skunk!


I do not know what 2021 holds but I know who hold me in his hands and I am blessed.







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