The Deacon's Bench - December, 2008

A few years ago, the company I had worked for almost 17 years was bought by another company. I remember the day that was announced as if it were yesterday. Many of us had suspected that something like that was afoot but of course nobody had known for sure. Everyone was concerned about what would happen next, when it would happen, and whether or not any of us would have a job.

The rules came out that if you were 55 with 15+ years of service, you’d be eligible for retirement and medical. If not, too bad. It was October and I was 54, with 15+ years of service. I wouldn’t be 55 until January. I had missed by two months.

As it turned out, the weekend after the announcement was the deacons’ retreat weekend, and I found myself at Holy Family Monastery, mulling over my prospects. I remember praying “OK God, time for a sign.” Shortly thereafter I was in the bookstore there, wondering how God might respond when there, at eye level, was a sign. Surprise! It said “Let go…” I remarked to myself, “Oh cute, God - nice way to let me know what’s going to happen next.”

I moved along, but later on it occurred to me that if God was kind enough to send me a sign, the least I could do in return would be to buy the thing, so I shuffled back to the bookstore and grabbed the sign.

While paying for it, there was another sign by the cash register – same kind of frame and everything. It said “Trust…” The signs were $8 a pop. I grumbled to God, “Hey thanks for the sign – but this is getting expensive, especially for someone who’s about to be ‘Let go’.”

But when God gives a sign, you eventually cut the whining and just do what’s indicated. It seemed that God wanted me to let go and trust, so that’s what I did. On the Monday after the retreat I went to work and there was a memo that said, “Oh, by the way, the sale isn’t going to be complete until next February. The 55 and 15+ rule kicks in as of then, not now.” Surprise! It turned out that hadn’t missed out by two months. I had made it by exactly one. All I’d really had to do was to let go and trust, just as the signs said.

There are plenty of good folks here at St. Pat’s who are losing their jobs these days through no fault of their own. Not everyone’s story is like mine. Life is indeed very good, but it can also be very hard. Even so, if your job happens to have disappeared on you and your prospects look bleak, let me suggest that you let go and trust God anyway. Perhaps you too will find out why so many of us call Him ‘the God of Surprises.’

Deacon Tim’s Emergency Recipe #6 – Road Kill Chili

2 cans red kidney beans
1 chopped mammal
1 onion
5 slices American cheese
1 big can crushed tomatoes
1 little can tomato paste
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Rice (Made separately. If you think you need instructions about how to do that we have a big problem, so just put this recipe down right now, quietly leave the kitchen and nobody will get hurt).

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Throw meat on top, mix and brown. Toss in everything else except the cheese. Mix and cook a bit more. Place cheese on top and mix it in as it melts. When it’s all mixed and cooked, serve over the rice and eat.