Be Careful What You Pray For

   For months I was trying to find another job. I worked afternoon shift and weekends at a local gasoline convenience store. I was grateful for the job which helped to pay the bills. I desired to be able to go to daily Mass and have weekends off. I began to pray. Someone told me to be specific in praying for your needs and always end the pray with according to your most Holy Will. I wrote out in detail the specifics of the job: day shift, weekends off, medical insurance, good pay and an opportunity to walk on my breaks and lunch hour. I prayed daily.

   I went to the job service, and the clerk informed me of a Montana State job in a city about 200 miles from my home. I looked over the job posting and I blurted out “They’re not going to hire me at my age.” He looked at me and said, “You never know until you try.”

   Those few words of encouragement motivated me enough to apply for the position. It was a very detailed application and I worked diligently on it. I said a prayer and dropped it in the mail. A month went by and I heard nothing. I figured that they hired someone else and I began to apply for other jobs.

   Then one day I received a phone call from the human resource person at the State informing me that they wanted to interview me for the position. I was shocked but excited.

   I prayed asking God to keep me calm and to cover me with his grace as I was being interviewed. Peace and calmness showered me during the interview. After the interview, I walked outside to where my car was parked. It then dawned on me, that this was a lovely place to take a walk -'a walking mall.' I said to myself, “You know I can see myself working here.” Was God answering my prayers?

   It had been a month since my interview for the State.  I assumed the State hired someone else. I had applied for a position as a receptionist and they had offered me the position in a small town about 30 miles away. The same day I received that job offer; I also received a phone call from the State offering me the position.

   I really had to take all of this to prayer asking for God's Holy Will. It didn't take too long to realize God had answered my specific prayer: good pay, medical insurance, day shift, weekends off, a delightful place to walk. The only thing I didn't specify is that it be in the same little town that I lived in for many years. It did require to uproot myself and my husband and move to a new city. My husband encouraged me all the way. I knew that this was God's will before me unfolding naturally.

   Years later, it proved to be a blessing upon blessing for me and our family. God is so good. I worked for the State until I retired twelve years ago.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7: 7-8