If someone had walked up to me just 2 years ago and told me that by this time I'd have a baby boy, we'd have moved across the country to SoCal, and my husband would have this new career... I would've thought that was crazy talk. Yet here we are...
Remember when I said Jon got offered a job in less than 3 months, a process that typically takes over a year? (if not, you can read a little about that here) Yes, that was a God thing, but let me back track a little. What I didn't say is that that wasn't exactly our first choice. It was actually our last - or so we thought. It was the least pay, training was away from home, and we knew it was a long process so it was going to be a last resort if nothing else went through.
Jon had passed the first couple tests quickly, so we figured the process would stall for a bit since we were told the whole thing takes a while. But then on one of the days Jon went in for another test/interview, they happened to have all the decision making people there at the same time. After a very long day they called him back in and gave him a one time offer. His choice was to either accept it right away and have his start date in September or wait to think about it, but then there was no guarantee.
So he took it. He didn't call me, he just took it.
Oh boy was I angry when he called to tell me the "good" news. How could he not call me to discuss this?! Especially because this involves being apart for so long! This was my initial reaction, but once I had a chance to process my thoughts I realized he made the right choice. Trust me, I'm all for couples making decisions together, but this was one of those times he had to make the call. You see, he knew. He knew that I would react emotionally and that in turn he would also. It was a limited time offer, he needed to make a rational decision and so he did.
Now that we are where we are, we've realized that this "last choice" was actually the best choice. Being apart is not our favorite, but God knew what he was doing. God knew that physical + academic training + husband and dad duties at home (and still sharing a room with a baby) would be overwhelming. Jon needed to take this time away to focus. And for me - having him home but too busy, here but not "present" would've been really frustrating and probably taken a toll on our relationship. It also turns out that, yes, the starting pay is a little lower than the other jobs he was looking at, but in the long run he will actually make more.
So what we thought was our last choice turned out to be better than what we were asking.
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." - Ephesians 3:20 NLT
We are just learning how to do this long distance thing. Once again we make a temporary sacrifice that will be worth it in the long run (this seems to be the theme of our lives this year). It's not the greatest, but as I read this verse I am reminded that God's mighty power is at work within us, and that he will continue to accomplish even more than we can imagine.
In the meantime, thank God for FaceTime :)
- A
