Positive Feedback

Well yesterday was quite a day. Talking to a lot of friends and co-workers. Each and every person was supportive and not condemning. Thanks to those of you who are reading this. Those who knew my situation really appreciated what I had done. I had to tell them to do what was good for them in the timing that was best for them. I could have made my decision many times before but it wasn't the right thing to do. Since I made that decision, I have received a lot of emails with a lot of kind and caring words and Biblical references. I compiled many of them and have included them below. It seems that almost hourly I was getting some sort of confirmation that I made the right choice. I am not feeling a huge burden lifted but that will take some time. I am feeling that I know that I know that I know that I did the right thing.

But before I post and end with the verses, I will share some other stuff. Yesterday was Ashleigh's birthday but it was a full day running around and her having field hockey practice. We got home, had dinner and some presents, and then went back to the school for her swim team meeting. That will be intense - practice six days a week, 2 hours every day.

Elliott got a call that he will be on the Heat basketball team in the Newark city league. They will practice twice a week with games thrown in there somewhere. He is trying out for the school basketball team tomorrow. He has a great outside shot. I would say I taught him everything I know but it must be genetic since he developed it on his own.

Tonight Ashleigh has her last field hockey game. We are all going to go to that and then race back to church tonight. We have to turn out the lights for Halloween since we won't be here. Elliott just got home from a half day at school.

Here are the verses:

Exodus 14:13: ..."Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Romans 8:18-32:37:
18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.24 - For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (always mediate on this)29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethern.30 - Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?32 - He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?37 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Psalm 25
1 To you, O LORD , I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD , teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
20 Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

Ps. 50:15 - "And call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you will honor me."

Ps. 55:22 - "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

Matthew 6:31-34
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Proverbs 3:5
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalms 37:5-6
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Not the Big Dog anymore

Most important news of the day: Today is Ashleigh's birthday!

Today is the first day of unemployment for me. Most everyone now knows my story of how I got to this situation so I won't go into it now. Kind of strange waking up not being in charge of anything and not having the freedom to buy anything at will. My first thoughts of the day were questioning what I have done. But it didn't take long for me to remember the empty feeling yesterday when I arrived at work and just knowing it was over. Never had that feeling before. And there were many little confirmations yesterday that added validity to the decision. Looking back, the decision to move on came quickly and the whole deal was done in less than 10 hours. Wow. I have been in charge of something for the past 18 years or so and now nothing. That will take some getting used to. And not being on call 24/7, even while on vacation. I look forward to getting used to that.

I am not sure how long I will maintain this blog but it makes me feel a little better venting into the void. Keep me in prayer and keep me in mind if you know of any jobs I might be good at. You know, things I have shown proficiency at like pool maintenance, instant message management, etc....