God Closes Doors to BLESS Us

After Shawn and I were married for approximately 5 months, he was diagnosed with cancer.  That was 12 years ago.  He has been cancer free since the end of March 1999.  At the urging of his parents he received his cancer treatments from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.  The health care providers and staff there were wonderful.

We came home to (at the time) Kansas.  At the go ahead of the Doctor at MD Anderson, we had tried to start a family.  After about 18 months of not being able to conceive, my lifelong dream of becoming a mother seemed like God wanted something different for me.   I was in a pretty sad state of mind and heart.  I decided that it was a good time to change my state of mind and life.  I decided to go to nursing school with the hopes of paying it forward and working with oncology patients (or infertility patients).  I haven't had that opportunity up to this point and didn't think I ever would (we live in a rural area).

One week after being in nursing school, I found out I was pregnant with our first son.  I believe two things:  God did not allow me to get pregnant when I wanted or I wouldn't have become a nurse.  Secondly,  I cherish my children so much more because of that initial wait.

I have been a stay-at-home Mom for 3 years (we weren't able financially for me to stay home until then).  Due to some job things (circumstances that I'll keep private) at Shawn's work, we decided that it was time for me to at least go back to work PRN (as needed) as a RN.  I applied for a job at the original hospital that I worked for after becoming a nurse.  I wasn't really wanting to work at this hospital again. Let's just say I don't fit in.  God closed that door.  I PRAISE God for not getting that job.

I applied at a different hospital that is an hour from our home.  I received an interview 2 days later (usually this takes about a month). I had a job offer for 2 different floors.  They required 12 weeks of training.  At the time of the interview, I thought that Faith might be home right during or right after the training.  Then I would need to take 12 weeks off.  I didn't see it as being fair to the other employees on the floors where I would work.  Shawn and I were really struggling over the decision.  We decided to put our family first and decline the position.  I called the nurse recruiter, told her why I couldn't take the job, and I declined the position.  She said, "I'd really like to get you on our payroll. . . We have a PRN position open in our oncology clinic. . . ."  This clinic is only 25 minutes from our home.  We decided that this position fits our family.  The training isn't as long.   To God be the GLORY!  Can you believe that?  An oncology clinic only 25 minutes from our home?  The hours are 8 to 4:30 and no weekends/holidays. 

To be honest when I didn't even get an interview with the first hospital I was hurt, but I trusted God.  The money for the first job offer was substantial and was difficult to turn down, but our family is worth SO much more.

I praise God for the entire journey He has given us.  His blessings overflow.

Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

So even in this wait, I need to remember Romans 8:28.  His timing is for His purpose.  Our Faith Evelyn is for His purpose.  The fact that we get the honor of being her parents is for His purpose. 

1 Peter 5:6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (NIV)

If you are reading this right now and you haven't seen the hand of God in your life, then maybe it is time to open a Bible and seek Him.  If you have any questions on where to start, I'd be more than happy to help you along His way.

May you be BLESSED by the presence of the King!  In His name, Amen.