For those Dopers who have a religious bent, I am humbly asking that you pray for me.
Sunday, August 20th, 2000 was one of the best days of my life. The day after my 30th birthday- I had a good job with good pay and a bright future, my house was clean, and Mrs. Rastahomie and I went to church and then spent the day playing cards and watching movies with my younger sister (who had come to visit for my birthday).
I say this because not four days later, on Thursday, August 24th, 2000, I had one of the worst days of my life. The temp agency calls at 7:30 and says “Don’t bother going to work today-- they don’t want you back.”
So there it is. I have had probably 25 jobs since graduating from college five years ago, and this last one was a temp-to-perm job that paid very well and that I absolutely loved. I was a junior editor in the publications department of a not-for-profit organization.
So now, here I am, 30 years old with a college degree and no job. I am tired of flopping from job to job. I am tired of not being able to provide for Mrs. Rastahomie the way I should. I am tired of not being able to save up any money or make any investments. Mostly, though, I’m just tired.
I hear by ask that those of you who are inclined to do so please pray for me, that I find a good job, and soon. If you’re Catholic, I specifically ask that you pray to the patron saint of guys like me. Is there a patron saint of unemployed wannabe writers? Surely there’s a patron saint of writers and one of job-seekers. Please pray to both of them for me if you will.
Hang in there, Rasta; Something will turn up; it always does, even if it’s just a stepping stone to something else.
He never closes one door without opening another for you. Just keep the faith, and remember to take it a day at a time. In the Lords’ prayer it says give us this day our daily bread.
Hey, I’m with you 100%. Take a deep breath. You’ll be okay–why? Because not just anybody can walk in and pick up a college degree. It takes work and you’re obviously used to that. You’ve already accomplished something–now you’re just needing to apply all that dedication to something profitable for yourself and your family.
Think of me as your positive perspective fairy. I’m the one who’s going to tell you how much you’ve done already and how persistance and fortitude will pay off. Don’t start coming down on yourself. That job–while it may not be perfect–is out there. And if you put your well-educated mind to it, you’ll find it.
Now is the time to call some of these places you’ve temped and juice them for information of possible job openings or possible connections you might have. You’ve got my prayers and positive energy.
If you haven’t already, try http://www.monster.com Seriously. There are a lot of people looking the hire, you should be able to find soomething you like. best of luck to you.
I’m not much for praying and if I did it would be for you to find the strength to get through the tough times and not for a job.
That said, perhaps I can lend a bit of moral support. Awhile back I was dating the woman who would become my wife. I lost my job (guy sold company) and had a college degree that wasn’t worth squat (even though it was from a decent university). My chosen profession wasn’t panning out at all. I was starting to look like a loser to myself, my girlfriend, my family and my girlfriend’s family (although she would say it didn’t matter I still felt pretty low).
After knocking about for 4 months and taking some classes totally unrelated to what I studided for in college I got the job I still possess to this day. My pay has skyrocketed from what it was (much higher than what I would earn today had I stayed in my previous line of work). I am respected by my co-workers and love what I do. I also dragged my girlfriend/wife into the same business and she has blossomed even more. She truly has a stellar career staring her in the face and has recently surpassed me in terms of salary (and she’s four years younger than I am…quite a lady).
This ALL happened because I got fired. I’m not suggesting you change your chosen profession nor am I suggesting that you can necessarily expect a magical turnaround. What I am trying to say is you never know. Sometimes the worst things in life can have silver linings and positive impacts although the actual moments of the worst parts still certainly suck.
So, pray for strength and insight. Someday you may look back and say August 24, 2000, was the best day of your life.
For a patron, St. Francis de Sales is your guy He’s the patron of writers and one of the patrons of editors. Consider yourself prayed for, and I wish you the best.
I can’t say I’m very religious, but positive thoughts and energy your way, Rasta. I can understand your feelings. I was booted from my temp job back in June by them just calling one day and saying “We have to end your assignment, get your things and leave today” So hang in there, and I hope for the very best for you. You’re a sweet guy and your wife is great.
VB is right, He never closes one door without opening another, or even a window. He says He will provide, always, so lean on that. Two of my favorite bible verses are Isaiah 40:31, and 41:10. They have brought me much comfort over the years, and a lot again recently.
Everyone has some good suggestions for you, I hope they help you through this time. Remember too, it is the tough times, the adversities of our lives, that show us what we’re really made of. Strength is not needed for the easy, the good times, rather for the disasters, the trials of day to day living.
Be strong, hold onto your wife and family, and trust in yourself and in God. You are in my prayers.
Since it’s only been a couple of years since I was working long hours for crappy money (in my early 40s, no less), I understand exactly how you feel. I remember perpetual exhaustion and dashed hopes all too well. So believe me when I say you’re in my prayers, 'homie.
I second what VB and PB have to say. Except don’t read Isaiah 40:31 without starting at 40:27 and reading from there. “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hid from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God’?” In your shoes, it’s hard not to feel that your life has somehow slipped beneath the Lord’s notice; I know that all too well. But I can also say from experience that it just isn’t so, and that miracles can happen out of nowhere with a surprising suddenness.
So keep trusting in the Lord, and keep giving your situation to Him. He knows your heart; he knows what you want and need. You’ll be in my prayers.
Prayers for you here, too, Rasta. For strength to get through a tough period, and for a new job to come your way. As for patron saints, St. Joseph is always watching out for you husbands. We’ll ask him to give your case a listen. God bless you and your family!
I’m praying Rastahomie. I know it’s hard to have faith and hang on when things look down. But as you have already been told , He never closes a door without opening another, and many times the next door is so much better !
Rastahomie, here’s a prayer that helps me a great deal. I hope it will help you.
Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
I say it almost as a mantra sometimes. It works wonders in bringing me inner quiet when I need it most. That inner quiet helps me listen to God when I am screaming so loudly inside that I can’t hear God.
He’s the patron of writers and one of the patrons of editors. Consider yourself prayed for, and I wish you the best.