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Maggie was not rich like a millionaire or poor like a homeless person. She was leading an average comfortable life. It got even better when a beautiful baby girl came his way. She and her husband made sure their daughter's needs were met and were still able to take an annual vacation to the beach.
Maggie was a partner in her husband's business. They both had a different set of duties that kept everything in balance. One day her husband's business suffered a devastating blow, and over a period of three years the business was out of site. Her husband had to completely transform himself and was yearning to fulfill his dream with a new business. She was happy for him and fully supported him, but still the money was not coming.
Maggie felt guilty that she was not contributing any income. It had been a long time since she had worked outside the home and had to work for someone else. Needless to say she was scared but still had faith that everything would be alright. She began job hunting and found it somewhat difficult to fill out the applications, especially the part asking for job references. Keep in mind that she was doing self-employment with her husband for almost 20 years. It seemed that he was of no importance as he was never called for an interview.
Her mother became more ill than her during the time she was out hunting and ended up in the hospital for a week. Once Maggie's mother returned home, she became her mother's assistant one day a week. She did the shopping, changed the sheets, vacuumed, and did other chores that her mother could no longer do. Of course his mother would pay him for his time and labor but he still felt he needed to find another source of income.
One of the first applications he filled out was finally received. She passed the interview with flying colors and was told she was "exactly" what they were looking for. Although it was only part time, it was what she wanted. When her daughter came home from school, she needed to be at home. He was told that he would be in touch when the schedule was ready. Knowing she had work made her feel satisfied and productive again.
Within a few weeks, however, she received an e-mail saying that the company had converted the job to a full-time position and that she was not eligible. Maggie was devastated. He felt betrayed and felt that he had been lied to. She was alone that evening as her husband and daughter had gone out for the night. She welcomed the solitude and wanted to drown her sorrows in a hot tub of bubbles.
As she knew she would cry, at first only from the pain of being rejected, she slowly wept. Three years long struggle finally got him. Then she became angry; From the circumstances that found him there, anger at everything, from God himself. She cried out loud and shouted, "What do you want me to do?" He really felt that God had abandoned him.
When she wasn't able to cry any more, she got tired and gave up. It was at that moment a silent idea came to her to provide home care support to other elderly people.
Using another talent for computers, she printed some flyers and cards and distributed them at her church, grocery stores, and even placed a small ad in the newspaper. Within a week he had acquired two new customers.
Now, even though she isn't the CEO or power player of a big company, she feels happy and productive again. So, had God really forsaken him? Let's look to nature for lessons and answers.
Before a butterfly comes out of its chrysalis, it has to struggle a lot. Yes, I am struggling. Every time it turns to run away, acid is being ejected from its feathers. If someone comes along and opens the chrysalis for her, the butterfly will die from those acids. In short, struggle is necessary for the survival of the butterfly. Then in peace, when the conflict is over, the butterfly can come out and share its beauty with the world.
We are no different as human beings. There are times when we need to fight to get rid of the acids that make up sadness, fear and anger. It is only at this moment when we are tired and still that the universe begins to hear its whisperings to us.
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