Category: surviving divorce

At least once very January (usually more) I stop and think about a January way back ……1990 in fact.

I was in the middle of being divorced in a very small town. The cold of that January was a reflexion of my life at the time especially my spirit which was broken. I needed to look for work to support myself and my precious two sons who were 5 and 2 at the time.
I was a young woman ( had just turned 26) but in my heart and mind I was old . I was broken, afraid of change, deflated of all self worth and confidence (divorce will do that).

I needed employment and since I married on my 19th birthday I had no career to fall back on. I had always stayed home with my boys and the thought of getting a job terrified me on a lot of levels.

Not a lot of options in a small town and no experience so after stopping at several places I ended up in front of the sonic drive in…..not the bank or grocery store like I had pictured but they did give me a job and wanted me to get started that night.
I left with a red polo shirt that I was instructed to wear with khaki pants, and it was then that I became what I thought was the OLDEST car Hop EVER. Haha
Of course back then no one over 16 car hopped.

That cold January I started working and freezing  but earning lots of tips (if you don’t tip at sonic ….start!! 😀 )
My first night I cried as I picked up trash in the lot after closing I felt like I couldn’t keep working there and face all the people who would eventually come there to eat (I knew the whole town practically). I dreaded the stares of pity and curiosity. I wanted to be anything but seen,  I had no choice, I had to work and so I did.
It was not the job I wanted but little did I know it was the one I needed.

I had no idea that would be the worst and best year of my life, because in that January I felt nothing would ever be ok in my life again. The next January my life would be completely different, I just didn’t know.

We sometimes only see the moment but in Gods plans is the “big picture” the plan B when plan A fails…..his plans for us are always for good. If it’s a cold January emotionally for you remember to Hold on and your next January can be completely different 🙂

Jeremiah 29:11
I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.