Post 10 – Outcome of the Storm
Image: AI generated image of a woman exiting a building holding a box of supplies with the word “Fired” written on the box.
Post Summary: In this post, a continuation of Post #7: A Storm is Brewing, I discuss returning to work after a vacation to the outcome of the previous storm that had been brewing.
From the beginning of March 2024 through the end of April 2024, my most recent previous employer had placed me on a Performance Improvement Plan. At the beginning of May 2024, the result of that PIP was a determination that I was unsuccessful in the role that I occupied at that time.
Despite this unsuccessful PIP rating, they decided not to make any decision about my employment right away. This stall in making a decision was a little unnerving. I began to feel like they were only keeping me around long enough for employment coverage reasons until they could find a suitable replacement.
During this time between their final determination and any decision regarding employment, I had entertained the thought of simply quitting to preempt the likely termination ahead. At the same time, I was hesitant to make any rash decision and thought that perhaps they might allow more time to make continued improvements via a second PIP.
After much prayer, reading the bible, and seeking wise counsel, the Lord lead me to preserve through whatever comes instead of quitting. From May 2024 through June 2024, I often asked my manager whether a final determination about my employment had been made and she kept saying that no decision had yet been made.
Despite this shaky employment foundation on which I found myself, I resolved not to let this negatively impact my moms' visit to Seattle. Several months before the administration of the PIP, my employer had approved my vacation requested from July 2 through July 9, with mom's trip planned from July 3 through July 7. Mom and I had a great time together in celebration of my new salvation in Christ and post-baptism fellowship.
Returning to work remotely on July 10, I clocked in for work as normal. About 30 minutes later, I received a mandatory meeting invite via Microsoft Teams to be held in the next 30 minutes. When the meeting started, my manager started out with a bit of small talk, which included asking me about my vacation. Then, right after I finished talking about the vacation briefly, she says she is bringing in someone from HR, which seemed weird because the meeting invite did not include any additional people.
When the HR representative arrived on the call, my manager proceeds to say that while I was a good employee and she enjoyed working with me, they were no longer continuing my employment effective immediately.
She continued saying “I hope the best for you in whatever comes next”, then just left the call, leaving HR to wrap up the termination process and job separation next steps.
Upon reflecting on this after the termination call, it seemed God did not answer that prayer to save me from termination. In the first few weeks after the termination, there was a bit of anxiety about what I would do next. While there was a bit of separation payout from the job, I was dreading having to get back in the job search market.
Instead of wallowing in my feelings about the loss of the job, I purposed that would now prioritize seeking the Lord and His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) with the new free time I now had. I set intentionally to spend more time reading the bible, praying, and living in a daily state of thanksgiving unto God for my recent salvation.
My new focus was now on spiritual growth rather than hunting for a new job right away. I was also glad that I did not have a spouse, children, or any other family members that relied on me for financial support at this time and therefore could take break from the job “rat race”.
As I spent more time growing my relationship with God instead of focusing on the job loss, the Holy Spirt removed the anxiety of the job loss. I was then able to see a perfect demonstration of how God uses bad for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
It was also very beneficial that I had opted to open a deferred compensation account with my employer. In the first year of employment, I opted not to participate in the deferred compensation plan because I did not want any additional wages coming out of my paycheck except what was already going to be coming out for taxes, healthcare, and mandatory 401K.
In the second year of employment, there came this “nagging” in my mind that I should reconsider signing up for deferred compensation. This would later turn out to be a very wise decision for the termination I did not see coming several years later.
Upon termination, I cashed out my total available deferred compensation of $15,000 and also received a vacation payout of close to $10,000. Forecasting my remaining expenses for the year, I determined that $25,000 would be more than enough financial resource to live on for the remainder of 2024. In order to make this amount work, I severely reduced my expenses by canceling all optional paid subscriptions and memberships, stopped eating out, and severely reduced my grocery budget to minimal spending.
In retrospect, I realized that God had redirected my thoughts on deferred compensation years before. This prepared financial resource was a blessing that enabled me to live on a severely reduced budget without needing to look for a job right away.
As I continued seeking the Lord during this period of uncertainty, I was finding the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, furthering my growth in faith towards Him. I was also coming to realize that this time was going to be a necessary “wilderness period” (see Exodus 13:17-18 and 13:21-22 concerning God leading the Israelites in the wilderness and providing their needs).
This time of unemployment would be used to bring me closer to a greater dependence on God and less dependence on myself! I have grown closer and more intimate with God, also recognizing Him as a provider and comforter.
God had provided me plenty of resource during this season of unemployment, enough to live off of and be a blessing to others in need! He has given me peace in my soul, and about this uncertain situation, which could have only come from being reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Colossians 1:19-21) through Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior! Thank you Jesus!
Stay tuned for the next post where I discuss diving in headfirst into testing each of the three churches I had been attending since finding salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ!