My wife and I, and our three teenagers sat down together recently to watch "Facing the Giants." And even though our teens noticed the difference in the production level when compared to other movies they've seen, the message of the movie wasn't lost. In fact we found the "behind the Scenes" story of how the movie was made just as stirring.
As my wife and I prepared for bed that evening, my wife stated - "If only life could be that way." - referring to this movie and one we viewed earlier in the week named "Joshua".
Hearing that, some might conclude that my wife is out of touch with the "Christian" life. Quite the opposite. The context of that question involves the last several months where I have been out of work, collecting unemployment, and she is working a part-time job; both doing everything we can to keep things together while our three teens complete their school year.
I have applied for over one hundred jobs, mostly in the depressed area we currently live, but also in other adjoining states. The few responses I have received are primarily - "Thanks for applying, but". What's been even more frustrating is that the two interviews I did have, both of which went very well, didn't produce jobs because the positions were withdrawn due to economic reasons. So she has seen how diligently I have prepared my field - yet no rain.
So from that context her statement takes on deeper meaning, especially since the day prior we drove over six hours together to visit another area and I could interview for a another position. Again, the interview went well. So all we can do is wait patiently and see. And we did. I spent that Friday morning in the usual way - researching and applying for several jobs here and in adjoining states.
It wasn't until lunch time came, and my wife was overdue, that the call came. It was the company I interviewed with earlier in the week. They were calling to offer me the position. It was like I was standing on the stage of one of those games shows - having won the grand prize - because the offer just continued - "Wait, but there's more!"
After hanging up the phone, I was completely overwhelmed - even to tears. My wife finally arrived for lunch, seeing me in tears and fearing the worst, sat down next to me. I was so choked up, but managed to get out my response to the statement she had made the previous night - "Remember what you said last night? 'If only life could be that way.' Well, it is!"
Not only did they offer me the job, but the salary was ten thousand more than I was expecting. Not only did they offer me the job, but they were going to pay for all the moving expenses, including extra costs that might occur due to duplicate housing, selling and closing fees, etc.
Just your standard job offer? Not when you realize that my wife had her part-time job already approved for next year. We were expecting that I would just find an inexpensive room to live in at the new location and commute back home once or twice a month over the weekend. However, the ten thousand difference in pay will make up almost exactly what my wife was making. So now we can all move together, and stay together as a family.
And for that I thank God and all those involved with this movie for the refreshing and encouraging message I received - NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!
