Volume Four Number Two

1 page, 515 words

I quit my job today. Boom – just like that. It may seem sudden to an outside observer, but it has been coming for a while, really. Circumstances which had been roiling just below the surface broke through yesterday, so I made a list. I had so many thoughts swimming around in my head, unorganized, erratic, that I decided to set them in order with a pen. This works for me so often that it has nearly become a second nature response.

I made a pros and cons list. What are the positive aspects of a career in real estate? What are the negative aspects of a career in real estate? The former list was shorter than the latter, and the relative weight of the items on each list had the scales tipped toward the “get out now!” side. I suppose it was the $900 I was about to spend in membership dues and questionable marketing practices that ultimately jolted me from the General-Discomfort mode into the Now-is-the-Time-to-Decide mode.

God’s place in all of this did have me puzzled. I asked Him what He thought I should do, and all I heard in response were crickets. You know what I mean, the silence that makes you wonder if He was listening while you were praying. It wasn’t a malicious silence, but there really was no response from which to proceed. Perhaps it was actually a vote of confidence. He gave me a brain with which to think, experiences with which to make judgments, and emotions to keep life interesting. When the three are in proper relationship, as long as God is front and center and He has not chosen to guide directly, I think I have a pretty good guide for making choices. God is bigger than my mistakes, and so I can move forward with confidence that everything will work out okay in the end.

I don’t like being a quitter, so I held on as long as I could. I consider myself someone who is willing to take risks and have new experiences. Sometimes I make poor choices and need to reevaluate, and perhaps bail. I really did make the best run of it that I could, and if radio had not come along to pay my plow bill, I’d still be at the real estate office.

My dad used to come home from work when I was a sophomore in high school, and as he recalled his work day, the vein on the side of his head would pulse and distort. I swore to myself that, to the extent I was able, I would never allow myself to get stuck in a job that I hated. I admit this is easier to do without a family; I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

So, now I can focus on my job at the radio station which is becoming increasingly satisfying and enjoyable. They even provide lunch sometimes! The way to my heart is truly through my stomach.

2008 is shaping up to be an adventure filled year – stay tuned!

In Christ,

Jake