I spent a decade working as an addictions counselor. I have seen thousands of people at their absolute worst, heard some horrifying stories, and witnessed countless lives unravel - many into hopelessness, despair, prison, and death. In a previous post I called my husband's job "demanding, harsh, unforgiving, and sometimes deadly" but let me tell you, friends, railroading can't hold a candle to addictions, it's not even close. The anguish of those suffering in addiction is severe and pervasive, but personally, I always saw a light. And that light was hope, redemption and grace. I was merely a tool for those thousands of people, designed to be used for rebuilding their lives and their faith. For ten years that was my job. Then one day in 2011, life changed!
After working many months as the Program Director for a start-up facility in St. Augustine, the owner sat me down and told me he could no longer pay me. I wasn't "fired", but he couldn't afford to keep paying me. So that ended that!
My husband and I made the decision that I would not seek another job and instead stay home with our two sons. I panicked. I knew life was taking a drastic turn and I was afraid. So I drove to our church in the middle of the day, went right upstairs to the office and told them I wanted to increase the amount of our monthly offering. I needed to give.
Since then we have been blessed more abundantly that I could have imagined. We were able to buy a house, (our very own house, yay!) that we had built just for us. I have more time with my children. I have more time with my husband! We are able to pay our bills, save money, and even splurge on things from time to time. (ok, fine. Maybe it's more often than that). Our most precious blessing arrived after a third dreadful pregnancy (that's a story for another day) and is now two years old. Nice story, but what does all of this have to do with Usborne Books?
That day I drove to church I felt a certainty in my heart. I knew that was exactly what I was supposed to do. I felt the same way when I started with Usborne. There is a purpose to this for me and every day I wake up excited to learn more about what it is! Perhaps that is the greatest blessing of all, to have and know my purpose.
After working many months as the Program Director for a start-up facility in St. Augustine, the owner sat me down and told me he could no longer pay me. I wasn't "fired", but he couldn't afford to keep paying me. So that ended that!
My husband and I made the decision that I would not seek another job and instead stay home with our two sons. I panicked. I knew life was taking a drastic turn and I was afraid. So I drove to our church in the middle of the day, went right upstairs to the office and told them I wanted to increase the amount of our monthly offering. I needed to give.
Since then we have been blessed more abundantly that I could have imagined. We were able to buy a house, (our very own house, yay!) that we had built just for us. I have more time with my children. I have more time with my husband! We are able to pay our bills, save money, and even splurge on things from time to time. (ok, fine. Maybe it's more often than that). Our most precious blessing arrived after a third dreadful pregnancy (that's a story for another day) and is now two years old. Nice story, but what does all of this have to do with Usborne Books?
That day I drove to church I felt a certainty in my heart. I knew that was exactly what I was supposed to do. I felt the same way when I started with Usborne. There is a purpose to this for me and every day I wake up excited to learn more about what it is! Perhaps that is the greatest blessing of all, to have and know my purpose.
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