Stop Milking It - Wean for the Win!ಮಾದರಿ

(Not) Working 9-5

In 2019 I was made redundant. I worked for an amazing charity, who due to financial strain had to make significant cuts. I finished there fully in faith that God would provide a new job for me. Then suddenly the Covid pandemic hit the world – getting a job really began to feel impossible.

The security of having a job – a feeling of purpose and a monthly wage – had been withdrawn and it didn’t look like that would change any time soon. I was frustrated as I’ve always enjoyed working and contributing financially for our family. I felt out of control, despairing at times. I felt overlooked by God and embarrassed that I couldn’t find employment.

The main things I think I was being weaned off were pride and self-sufficiency. I have always worked since I was fifteen and I’ve always been able to look after myself.

Throughout my weaning time I learnt that I’m not loved by God anymore if I’m working, earning and feeling ‘useful’ or if I’m redundant and living in a weird state of lockdown. God loves me. I’m an adopted member of his family forever and he is proud of me as his child regardless of any position I do or do not hold in society.

During my unemployment, God provided for us. He was showing me that my reliance should be on him and not on myself.

Looking back, that period of unemployment was a fruitful time. I was able to write my first published book called ‘When God 'buts’ in'. God used that chunk of time that I saw as wasted time, to stir in me a passion for writing. God taught me some valuable lessons through that season of loss and withdrawal. I learned that I had put too much weight on working and feeling ‘successful’ as a person because of that. I discovered a new passion for writing, and had I carried on with my job at that point, this gift and calling would not have stirred in me.

Reflection

Can you think of a time when you experienced a weaning process?

Can you relate to the raw feelings of frustration, disappointment, confusion and embarrassment that I felt?

Ask God to begin to highlight what you can ‘glean from the wean’ – the wisdom, freedom and new things he may be pointing you towards despite the difficulty of this process.