Career Change
CAREER CHANGE
(For Dorothy, my mom)
(If you like this story there are tons more here. You can also find a whole bunch of different books I’ve written right here. So, you’ve got a whole lot to enjoy. Check them out please. Thank you.)
S
o, Dot, thank you for applying with our firm. We’re really quite proud of what we do here. I think you’d be a good fit. Tell me a little about yourself.” Said the handsome older man.
“I think I’d like it here too.” said the young woman. Though slightly older than her appearance of 2’-’ years old she was nevertheless radiant. Shoulder length golden blond hair bounced and sparkled in the glorious sunlight that poured in though the office window. She had dressed conservatively for the interview and wore a simple white dress with appropriate foot attire. At first, when approaching the firm, she had been a little nervous. But Mr. Peters quickly ushered her into the conference room and made her feel comfortable and at home.
“According to your resume It says you’ve spent some time as a phone operator, a nun, an art instructor and as a homemaker. Tell me about these positions. Which did you find most challenging? And which did you find most rewarding.”
A small smile began on the young woman’s mouth and grew with her remembrance till it spread across here entire face. “Well,” she began. “Each job had its own challenges and rewards. There were times at the phone company when the switchboards were jammed and the calls kept coming in. I’m not sure how we got through it but somehow, we always did. And then there were days as a postulate....”
“Postulate?”
“Yes, you see, I never took the final vows as a nun. I guess you could say I was a nun in training. Those are called postulates....”
“I see. Please go on.”
“Well there were days as a postulate that really were difficult. Although not as outward going as some I’m really a people person and deeply enjoy being around people and sharing and listening. I’m especially good at listening. But there were days of quite meditation when we were forbidden to speak at all and sometimes I’d discover something on a walk through the path or in my daily devotional readings and was so excited that I thought I’d burst if I didn’t tell someone.”
“And so, what’d you do?” Asked Mr. Peters with genuine interest.
“Oh, I’d tell God. And we’d talk about that day’s discovered treasure.”
“Ahh, an excellent idea. I’ve done the same thing myself.”
“Oh, surely you’ve never applied to be a nun now have you Mr. Peters?” She replied. Her blue green eyes sparkling with mirth.
“No Dot. But I have had occasion to share a few things with the Lord. He’s a great listener too! But I’ve interrupted you. Please go on.
“Well, like anything there were days of joy and sorrow at the convent.” But overall I found it to be one of the most rewarding and deepening times of my life.”
“And why did you leave the convent?”
“Health-reasons.”
“Ahh, yes. I see it here. You’ve had a long history of illness.”
“But that’s behind you now.”
“Yes, it is. In fact, I think just before I got here I turned a comer in my life.”
“Please explain.”
“I remember my kids standing around my hospital bed. They had all pretty much been crying because I was so weak and tired. I was tired too but I couldn’t let go yet. Frankie wasn’t there yet. He was vacationing in upper Minnesota and was scheduled to come home in a day or two. I just determined to hang on till he got there. I think someone from your office must have contacted him because he said to his brothers and sisters he didn’t know how sick I was but he felt an overwhelming urge to get home as fast as he could. I heard he did over 70 for almost 7 hours. He got home and got a call from the other kids and came right over. Then I could relax. Then I felt the peace and could let go.
“Yes, I think that was Great Heart or Michael or Gabriel who contacted him. I’ll make sure they receive a commendation for their detailed faithfulness. Please go on.”
“Well, Mr. Peters it really was very touching. My kids loved me and each other but never were quite able to tell each other that. I kinda think it was nice the way they all joined arms and prayed. I know it blessed me a lot to hear it.”
“Oh, so even though you were unconscious you still could hear them?”
“Of course, I could.” Each one in their turn spoke to me and share some of their joys and sorrows. And I listened to each and agreed with them where they were right and tried to tell them not to worry when they recalled their own shortcomings as kids.” And the two huge men appeared just behind my boy Michael and took me by the hand. They had on white too. That’s what gave me the idea that I should wear white for this interview. They took me by the hands and both had such huge warm smiles on their faces I knew it was all right to go with them.
They told me it was time to go so I took a moment to kiss each one of them, and then I was ready. I got changed and here I am. I think I’m ready for a career change and thought maybe you could use me here.”
“As a matter of fact, we can Dot. A position has just opened up but first let’s hear about the art instructor and homemaker.”
“I only taught art at the grade school for a short time but it was rewarding. Helping the young people discover hidden talents and what treasures lay in nature and the color wheel.” It was really rewarding when they absorbed some of the principals and apply them.
“And the homemaking?”
That was the most challenging. And the most rewarding. Sam and I wanted kids but couldn’t have any. A friend of ours had ten kids. We decided if we couldn’t have em then with God’s help we’d just love the ones he’d send to us. There were 10 we adopted and over 33 or so that were foster kids.”
“That seems like an awful lot of kids to look after.”
“Oh, there were times when things were stretched and tight but we never missed a meal.”
“One of them is a doctor. Frankie, I think. You must be very proud of him.?”
“Actually, Michael is the doctor and Frankie is the writer. But I’m proud of all my children. I wish I could tell them that. I wish I could tell them that I love them. I want them to make the most of their lives. and that I’m proud of each and every one of them whether they’re comforting a patient, building a locomotive, putting together a living room set, cleaning a toilet or caring for the great grandkids. I’d tell them to do the best at what they’ve been called to do. And to remember their prayers and to love God. What else is there. Except to do that and to be happy.”
“Well, it seems you’ve had a full life so far. Several careers. A loving husband, loads of kids and enough trial and hardship to round you out. What’s next.”
“I’m not sure, but I know He’s got something good in store for me. So I came and applied. Do you think I’ll fit in.”
“I think you’ll fit in just fine. Congratulations! You’ve accepted Him and He accepts you.”
“But I wasn’t perfect. I fell short on so many things...
“Do you think only perfect folk get in here?” You loved Him through your life and that what really matters Dot. That’s all that really matters. In fact, I think He’s waiting just beyond the gate to greet you. Yes, I see Him. And it looks like Sam and Terry are with Him. Let’s go see.
They walked together through the huge pearl gates and Dot began her next career.
The End.