Crazy Ride in 2018

          What a year 2018 has been!!  Even though I felt as if I had been on a crazy roller-coaster ride, the Lord Jesus was with me every step of the way.  The main cause for the sense of instability was the transition I experienced as I tried my hand at four different jobs.  As I gave up a merchandising job for a food service one with more full-time hours, I could tell the move was the right decision in spite of not being a good fit within the company.  Eventually, I did become distressed as the manager made me feel more and more alienated from the rest of the staff.  Moving on from the baker's job, I thought the promised land had finally arrived in the form of working for a shoe company.  Apparently a lot has changed in my twelve year absence away from the industry.  Either that, or I was the only non-childhood friend the manager decided to hire at her store.  (Again, an outsider!)  Ugh!  Thankfully this job only lasted about a month, but God was walking alongside me the whole time.  Not knowing what I would do, and yet not wanting to stay miserable, I walked away from the shoe job.  Relaxing at the cigar shop on the same day as the resignation, the owner learned of my job woes and quickly told me to report to work for him the following Monday at 11 a.m.  What a blessing of deliverance!
          Another blessing I experienced this year was the discharge of student loan debt.  Yes, the entire balance was paid off!!  In addition, I paid off the balance on the Cabela's Visa credit card I had been using.  Of course this was a huge relief.  Now I didn't feel financially trapped in a crappy job knowing how much money I owed.  Sometimes I wonder if employers know how miserable we are at our jobs because we desperately need the money, and then they treat us accordingly?!  Anyway, I also have the blessings of family, friends, and health.  This life would be even more brutal if I didn't have anyone to share it with.  In the end, I'm thankful for 2018 but also glad it's over.  What are you thankful for?  What are your goals for 2019?  Happy New Year!

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