Pam Padgett ... teacher
Recently an elderly neighbor asked me how it had come about that I
worked at FedEx, where I worked for many years before retiring. I told him my college degree was in counseling
psychology, but I found that I hated doing that. Not knowing what I
wanted to do, I eventually took secretarial jobs. Although I was thankful to have
the work, I was bored and turned to God and told Him this,
asking if there was something else I might be able to do (but also was willing to continue in this job if that was what He wanted me to do). Through a secretarial job I had an opportunity to learn about computer programming and found that I loved programming. I got a job with a small software
development company. When this company was about to go bankrupt, I
cried out to God to show me what to do. When I took a class in how to
interview, the woman teaching the class told me about entry-level
programming jobs at FedEx and gave me the name of a contact there. This
contact gave every manager a copy of my resume, and I was given an
interview, and then offered a job by one of the managers.
After hearing this story, my neighbor told me how fortunate I had been
to have a job doing something I really liked doing. He said he thinks
most people work just to make a living and support their families, like
he had done, but didn't really enjoy what they were doing. He again
told me how fortunate I had been.
Later, I was thinking about and thanking God that HE led me to do something that suited me so well.
We truly are fortunate (blessed) when God leads us.
I also recalled what had caused me to go into counseling psychology,
which I landed up hating. While at a Bible study a thought came to me that caused me to go in this direction. Being a very immature Christian, I assumed this
thought was from God, and didn't
pray asking God if this thought was from Him (didn't try the spirit that brought the thought). Even though I acted so foolishly, however,
God had mercy on me and moved me to another field, the one that was best for me.
When we have been called by God to be His children, His sheep, He leads
and guides us by His Spirit. As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are taken in the best way for us ... green pastures and still
waters. And even if we go a wrong way, God is able to get us back on the correct path ...
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still
waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:for thou art with me; thy rod and
thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.