You just never know.

Well you just never know what a day will bring!
I've been working for a company (which shall remain nameless) for almost 4 years. Unfortunately, it is not a place that values it's employees. In fact they are seen more as liabilities and disposable.
Well, I finally came to a very difficult decision and had given my month's notice ( a requirment for my position). My last day was to be January 11, 2013.
Unfortunately, I have been sick since the Saturday before Christmas and have had to miss two days work last week and one day this week. Everyone in my house has been down with terrible sinus infections that we just can't seem to shake in spite of antibiotics and for me steroids too!
So, imagine my surprise when I finally was able to make it in to work today and was told that "they", my immediate boss (I'll call Mary) and the CEO had a long conversation yesterday and decided that it would be best if I spent my last few days at home on sick leave so I could get well! My well being nor anyone else's has even been a big concern to the CEO before. I told "Mary" that I didn't have enough sick leave to do that and she said not to worry they would pay me for the time since it was their decision, plus pay out my vacation.
Hmm, I have to admit that at first I wasn't sure what to think. I almost felt like I was being let go...fired you know? I know they don't have anyone to replace me yet and all the responsibilities will fall on my boss.
I feel really bad about all of this. I began working for this company in a different position - Office Manager for a Retirement Campus. I really enjoyed working with the Residents, unfortunately it became a very toxic environment due to the leadership. About the time I was beginning to look for another job, I was offered a position at the Corporate office in the accounting dept. This turned out to be a HUGE mistake. I was just not suited to work at a computer all day without any interaction with others. I realized to late that I need to be serving others in some way or another for me to even like my job! This was all about the bottom line and unfortunately the toxic environment was coming from the very top down.
But, God always goes before me...this morning I finally forced myself to stop from rushing out the door to work, and sit for a minute and read the Word and have a short devotion. I was reading from a book I've had for a long time. Living Close to God by Charles Stanley. Guess what I read on the second page? A section from Psalms 139. "Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
Pastor Stanley goes on to quote from Cynthia Heald's book Intimacy with God: " The God who created us has not abandoned us to grope blindly through life. He has provided, at great expense, all that we need for life and godliness.  God is our personal Creator, and He wants to be our Shepherd who protects and proves for us."  I also said a short pray before getting out of my car at work this morning. " Lord I don't know what this day holds, but you do. Give me strength."
I feel pretty certain that He not only knew what was going to happen this morning, but He went ahead of me and prepared my heart. What lies ahead of me in my day is no surprise to God. Everything has to pass though His hand before it comes to me...the good and the bad.
Now I have no confidence in the people that I used to work for to do what they say they will do (pay me for these 7 days), but I DO have every confidence in my Creator to do what He says He will!
I am so grateful that His heart is good toward His children and that His mercies are new everyday, and if that isn't beautiful, I don't know what is!

Resting in Him,
Shan