The year 2020 was a roller coaster year. Day one of 2020 was in the top 10 best days of my life; I watched my son march in the 2020 Rose Parade. Day 55 of 2020 was top 5 worst days of my life, I was laid off from my job of 19 years, one of the biggest fears I had. Coincidentally the theme of the 2020 Rose Parade was The Power of Hope. I have never felt hopeless in my life, I have always believed God had a plan and would take care of me and my family. The kicker is to follow God’s plan. It is not like God sends me a daily briefing like Alexa. But God speaks to me, leads me, and puts people in my life that always provide hope.

If you have ever been unemployed you understand what a roller coaster it can be. Day 1, you are scared out of your mind, scouting bridges to live under. Day 2, you realize you are not alone. The people God has placed in your life, reach out with experiences or encouragement. People have prayed, brought dinners, shared job openings, reviewed resumes, and given encouragement. The days where I got rejection emails, there is always someone there to offer hope, reminding me it was not in God’s plan to get that job. Their actions have taught me that I needed to be the light for others in the same situation. Not long after I was laid off, the pandemic caused the industry I previously worked in to take a dramatic downturn, and peers across the country were losing their jobs or being furloughed. We were now in the same boat; it was my turn to be an encourager for them.

It is odd being in a situation to encourage others, when you are applying for the same jobs. Only one of us can land the job, and maybe it is in God’s plan for someone else to get it. I am part of God’s plan for someone else. It reminds me of a scripture, Matthew 16:26, What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

How do I more forward in 2021?

I have Hope! I am 300 plus days of being unemployed. But, God has a plan for me. Sometimes I miss the signals, however God will bring me back to where I need to be. I have family and friends that provide hope for me. I also believe I am providing hope for others.

Written by Scott Foreman
Pearland, TX

I collected stories about how faith kept people moving forward and put them together as a devotional for this Lenten season. 
You can download the entire devotional here:
https://www.mosaicpearland.org/s/lent.pdf