Skip to main content

Grateful During Unemployment


Two years have passed since I last scribed in this blog. Much life has transpired during that time. Too much to really unpack here. Then, I was a few months into a new public sector role with the City of Baltimore and starting to pursue the dream of rebooting the paranormal broadcast TV news series I co-created with Darren Dedo called "Unexplained" as a YouTube docu-series "Unexplained Cases." 

Today, I am unemployed and "Unexplained Cases" has grown but has yet to generate revenue. 

In July, I was dismissed from both my part-time weekend job at Grace Community Church and my City of Baltimore job. I've never had the pleasure of being released from two jobs in a month. Technically, I was released in June from Grace and my separation date was July 3. My last day of work at Baltimore was July 23 and my separation date was September 23.

Unless one has been through an extended period of unemployment, one cannot understand the emotions that are stirred. For a man, work and bringing in income is part of our DNA. While a job shouldn't define a man, helping provide for and support the family is important. 

When I was separated from Grace, that was like being kicked out of a family. While the pandemic changed the way ministry was done at Grace and many churches across the country, that did not take away the personal loss.

Although my City job was less like a family, I had friendships and the dismissal was no less painful. It was a surprise. I started the morning as others - working from home - and ended the day hours early...still at home but without a vocational responsibility.  

In both cases - regardless of reasons or decisions - the feelings of doubting my value and worth, wondering why others were not impacted, and the sudden need to rebuild weighed heavy. As days became weeks and weeks became months, the submitted applications stacked up and began to equal the rejections and silences.

But I am grateful for people who wanted to see my resume, who wanted to pass my resume onto others, who have sent me job opportunities, who have prayed and continue to pray for me, who have helped us financially, and who reach out to have coffee or some grub.

Often, it's easier for one who has been through an extended unemployment to relate to another. Some may think there's something wrong with my resume, my interviewing style, or that I am applying to the wrong careers. Fact is, there's always a reason for these times just as there's a reason for their length.

My last season lasted 9 months and during it I learned about abiding in the Lord. I was not savoring that time. Is He having me repeat this time to savor it? So that I can learn more about abiding? I do not know. I just know that the Lord knows my heart's desires and pains. And while I do not expect Jesus to just drop a job in my lap, it's not something that I can find under my own power. 

I also know that some folks are unclear what role I am seeking. With a background of broadcast radio and television production as well as media program and project management - my focus is on a role in a media or content organization. Communication, media, or even public affairs are categories. Job titles could be: Social Media & Digital Specialist, Web and Multimedia Services Manager, Social Media & Website Manager, Digital Content Manager, Communications Manager, Branded Content Program Manager, Social Media Manager, Communications Manager, or Web Content Manager.

As always, I'm grateful for your prayers and support. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I Can Honestly Say Jon Is My Best Friend

At the beginning of this year, these were Kate Gosselin's words in an interview with Today's Christian Woman : "I can honestly say Jon is my best friend." Kate also says, "When the babies were born, I was well aware that our marriage could crumble. It was close to doing so at times. But we survived that first year. And then the second one. And then each year after that. Even though the issues have changed, it's never gotten easier. "But Jon and I are more determined than ever that we're in this together. We've told our kids many times that we're always going to be a family. There are no other options. Sure, Jon and I take our stress out on each other, and no, that's not always good or healthy. But we work hard as a team every day."

Die Rush Limbaugh!

On the Eve of New Year's Eve, Rush Limbaugh is rushed to a Hawaii hospital with chest pains. News reports mention his condition as "serious" but little information is available. Hours later, it's reported that he's "resting comfortably" at the hospital. The hours in between paint a pathetic picture of our country: New York Daily News described Limbaugh as a "radio loudmouth" and a "right-wing talk show host." The article also mentions that Rush's "nemesis" President Obama and "target of Limbaugh's bile" Nancy Pelosi were also vacationing in Hawaii this week.

Palin Keeps 'em Guessin'

People lash out at things that they don't understand and at things that scare them. It's rather clear that liberals don't understand and therefore are scared of Sarah Palin. Since she came out of the proverbial woodwork of Alaska and onto the national scene of a Presidential campaign, the media has lashed out at her like hungry wolves waiting for any chance to pounce. Remember her wardrobe, for example? The media highlighted the Republican National Committee’s purchase of $150,000 in clothes for Palin, even though the dresses would be donated to charities. The story was page-one for The New York Times. Yet, Barack Obama’s trips to Hawaii on a chartered Boeing 757 cost $800,000 and received appreciative "nods" from the media. Then Presidential Candidate Obama used a Boeing 757 for two trips to Hawaii over the summer for a vacation and to visit his failing grandmother. Palin being a modest person without a wardrobe to withstand 24/7 campaigning had clothes gi