Giving In...

After about two and one-half to three months, and talking to as many people as possible, I decided the call to ministry was not just my imagination and I gave in!

Iwas looking at beginning to look for a job. Nursing jobs at this point were not hard to come by, but I wanted something that would allow me to go to seminary. I found out Perkins School of Theology had an off campus program here in Houston! Was I surprised? No. I figured God was working all this out long before I came to my senses!

I had decided that perhaps I should investigate school nursing. That would allow me to work during the year and take classes in the summer. I did not realize at this point that it woudl take me a really long time to finish seminary this was, as I would only be able to take two classes a summer. I also didn't know for sure if I could the classes here in Houston. I really knew nothing about the Houston Program.

About the time I decided to look into school nursing, a friend called me and asked was I still "unemployed." I told her yes, and asked why. "Oh...I was wondering if you would be interested in being a school nurse." I had told no one about my looking into this possibility. A position at the Senior High had opened up. She was the nurse at the Junior High!

OK, God...I get the message! I began the interview process for that position. It was in Richmond/Rosenberg, which would have been about an 80 mile round trip for me from where I was currently living. I got to to the second and final round of interviews. It was between me and one other for the final selection. I was beginning to think "I have this figured out, God!" Then...the bottom fell out. One morning I recieved a call saying they had selected the other nurse, she had school nurse experience.

I was devastated, to say the least. Had I gotten it all wrong? Had I made a mistake? Was I supposed to be going into ministry? I mean, how could I do floor nursing, or OR nursing and go to school. My schedule in such areas would require rotating shifts, on-calls, etc. That wouldn't work with going to school.

I prayed and cried. "God...if this is what you want me to do, you are going to have to give me some kind of sign; you are going to have to work this out!"

That very afternoon I recieved a call from a physician I had known at MDACC..." Are you still without a job?" she asked. I told her, well, as a matter of fact, I was; that I had just found out I didn't get the job I had applied for.

"Don't take any job...I want you to come to work for me. Can you come and talk with me this afternoon?" My reply was, "Uh, well, yes...sure...where?"

We made arrangements, I went to talk with her; finding out exactly what she was wanting. I then asked her how she knew I was not working. Turns out, when I was laid off, another nurse I knew was in a clinic when I went to tell everyone goodbye. She remembered I had been laid off and told Dr. F. Dr. F knew me and asked the nurse to get my phone number so she could call me.

I told Dr. F of my plans, and asked her if that would present any problems. She was thrilled and told me emphatically it wouldn't. She encouraged any of her staff to further their education.
So...it turned out that I went back to work at MDACC 4 months after being laid off. I resumed working at my previous salary, with my vacation, sickleave and seniority all still intact; and with the blessings of being able to go to school.

When God wants you to do something, it is best to just given it. Life is much easier when you do!