Dan checked his email for the tenth time that day and groaned.

Sharon glanced at him from where she stood in the kitchen, peeling potatoes. “Still no answer?”

Dan frowned. “No. I don’t understand it. There’s no point in checking anymore today, now that it’s after hours, but I didn’t want to miss it.”

“When did they tell you they’d let you know?”

“A week ago. I really thought the interview went well. I’ve been praying and praying to get this job. I don’t know why God keeps making me wait.”

Sharon finished cutting the potatoes and dropped them into a pot of boiling water. After washing her hands, she joined Dan in the family room. “We’ve all been praying for you. But maybe this isn’t God’s plan for you. Are you really so unhappy at your current job? They’ve been good to you.”

Dan ran a hand through his hair. “I know they have. But there’s no room for growth. Working at a small company has a lot of advantages, but I’m ready to take on more responsibility. There isn’t anywhere for me to do that there. That’s why this other job is so attractive. Not to mention the increase in salary would be pretty helpful as the kids are starting college.” He closed his laptop and set it on the coffee table. “I was doing fine at work, but when the recruiter called me about this other job, I started thinking about all the benefits, and ever since then, I’ve been discontent. It’s like God opened my eyes to what I’m capable of. They seemed so impressed with my skills, and it gave me such confidence. Everything they said to me was encouraging. But why haven’t they gotten in touch with me yet? I don’t think I can pray any harder for God to give me this job.”

Sharon squeezed his forearm. “Maybe God wants you to be praying something different.”

Dan cocked his head at her. “What do you mean?”

Sharon bit her bottom lip. “Well, what if He has something else planned for you? Maybe He wants you to trust Him to take care of you.”

Dan couldn’t help smiling. “You’re a pretty smart lady, you know that?”

Sharon beamed at him. “No. Tell me more.”

Dan laughed and wrapped an arm around his wife just as the oven timer beeped.

Sharon jumped up. “I’ve got to check the chicken. But think about what I said.”

That night, as Dan lay in bed, he took Sharon’s advice as he prayed. “God, thank You for always taking care of us. I know everything we have is because You gave it to us. But lately I haven’t felt like my job is enough. I’ve learned everything I can in my current position, and I really feel called to do more. I think I could make a bigger difference in a job with more responsibility. And the one I’ve been interviewing for would give me the chance. Yes, it’s a longer commute and would probably be stressful as I learn a new field, but I’m up to the challenge. I know I can do anything if You’re in it with me. But I’m not going to pray for that job anymore. Sharon’s right. Instead, I’m going to pray for Your will to be done in my life. I only want to go where You want me to be.”

With that, a sense of peace filled him for the first time since the recruiter called. He drifted off to sleep, grateful for the blessings God placed in his life.

The next morning, Rob called him into his office.

“What’s up, boss?”

Rob motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “Please, sit down. I have something important to discuss with you.”

Sweat trickled down Dan’s back. Had Rob found out he was interviewing elsewhere? “Is everything OK?”

Rob folded his hands in front of him. “I’ve made a decision. It was difficult, but I believe it is the right one, both for me, and for the future of this company.”

Dan drummed his fingers on his knees. Why didn’t Rob just say what he had to say? The suspense was killing him.

Rob fingered a piece of paper in front of him. “I’ve decided to move back to Oklahoma. My parents are getting older, and I want to be there for them. I’m taking a role in a company near their house.”

Dan stared at Rob. “You’re leaving?” That changed everything. The company would be in rough shape if both he and Rob left.

Rob nodded. “I am. And I recommended you to the board to take my place. They voted on it last night, and it was unanimous. You’ve been an exemplary employee, and you’ve proven your loyalty. It’s a lot more responsibility, but we know you’re up to the task.”
He slid the paper across the desk. “Here’s the salary.”

Dan glanced at the number on the sheet and blinked. The new salary was more than the recruiter was offering for the other job.  He sent up a silent prayer of thanks and reached out a hand. “Thank you for your confidence in me, Rob. I’d be honored to try to fill your shoes.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

God, Your ways are higher than our ways. We may think we know what is best for us, but only You do. You tell us we can’t even imagine what you’ve prepared for us. Please help conform our wills to Yours, so we can pray for Your will to be done in our lives. Thank you for your love and care for us. We’re all guilty of thinking we know what is best, but you’ve proven over and over to us in Your word how you’ve cared for your people in ways they did not expect. Help us get out of the way of Your plans for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.