Switching Collars

I just switched from clerical collar to blue collar to white collar, all in 4 months. (Speaking figuratively, of course, as I’ve never actually worn a clerical collar.)

It’s time to get the blog up to date with my adolescent amblings.

I want to write this as briefly as possible, (as briefly as a 4 month summary can be) because, quite frankly, it is not really that interesting.

So here it goes: 4 significant steps that I took in the last 4 months.

STEP 1: Step away from 15 year career.

I described this step in the last blog post written mid-October. I thought, for multiple reasons, that it was the right time to step out of leadership at the religious organization that I was working for. With an attitude of obedience, I set my sights on a long-term dream to pursue the preparation required to teach and multiply gospel-centred leaders. I will always look back on this decision with joy. It was one of the best decisions that I have ever made, even if I wasn’t seeing everything clearly.

STEP 2: Discover the real reason I stepped away from that 15 year career.

God provided a job for me on nights, just like I asked for. I got a warehouse job working for Westridge Cabinets here in Red Deer. I have my friend Jeff Malloy to thank for taking great care of me. He literally worked with his superiors to make up a job out of nowhere just so that I could try this school thing. Jeff, buddy, I will never stop thanking you for living out the gospel for me, spending enormous personal energy and your own relational capital, just to get me a job that had the potential to fit my plan.

By the end of November it was clear: this is not possible for me. Other men could pull this off. I could not. Or I would not. Either way it was very clear, that this idea would take me from a stressed lifestyle in pastoral ministry, to an incomparably stressed lifestyle with 2 full-time occupations, and time with my kids on the weekends. STUPID!

That’s how I felt for 2 months. Why did I do all this? Why did I really leave Deer Park? What am I supposed to do now? What does God want from me?

Then came a step in my journey that I didn’t plan for, couldn’t produce myself, and it brought meaning to this whole crazy ride.

STEP 3: Receive a big, fat gift from God in the process: a new career.

After Christmas, God rolled out a couple of incredible welcome mats at exactly the same time.
At Westridge, I got an opportunity to “help out” my boss by moving to day shift and filling in as Shipper/Receiver. (a very fun story worth telling over coffee some time)

Meanwhile, my buddy Justin Hubert let me know of another opportunity that was materializing for me at his company. His Staff Development Coordinator position was going to possible be vacant.

I’ve never experienced something like this before. Early in the morning on Thursday, February 10, 2011, my boss at Westridge notified me that I was officially promoted and given the Shipper/Reciever position permanently along with raise. Later in the afternoon, I got a call from Justin asking if I’d have time to look at an offer of employment. After my shift at Westridge, I met with him and signed that offer and joined the Heritage Family Services team.

Unbelievable! I thought it would be disrespectful to resign the day after Westridge gave me a promotion, so I waited until Monday, Valentine’s day, to give my 2 weeks notice.

STEP 4: Get on with it. (AKA Living & Loving LIFE!)

So, March 1 I began a career in staff development. The job is 100% teaching and coaching people.
I LOVE my new job. I get to work with child and youth care workers, therapists, foster parents, and their managers. They are incredibly special people.

I feel like after asking God what he wanted me to do, He has turned around and said, “Well, what would you like to do? Here are some good choices. Enjoy.”

So, the last 4 months have been the perfect prelude to turning 40 and growing up a little more. There are so many new things to learn and explore. And, despite my best efforts to complicate career plans, it’s actually gotten simpler, less stressful, more congruent with who I want to be, and just plain fun.

Thankful, content, and loving life.