21 Comments
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Feeble_Stirrings's avatar

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your job. I know from experience how scary that can be. A little over 12 years ago, 3 months after buying our first home and 1 month before the birth of our first child, I was unexpectedly laid off. Caught me totally off guard and felt like the absolute worst timing. I had zero prospects on the horizon. However, I ended up being able to help my wife prepare for the arrival of our first child and got to be there with him for the first 3 months of his life, which I would not now trade for the world. A friend at our parish ended up making an introduction for me with a friend of his who owned a local company. I ended up getting hired on and it's been the best job I've ever had, filled with unexpected opportunities and growth. I've been there for 12 years now.

"Completely have trust in God, leave: everything in His hands, and believe that His love will act for your own benefit. Then God will take care of everything, because there is nothing He cannot do; everything is easy for Him. The difficult thing is for man to decide to humble himself and leave everything to God's providence and love."

- St. Paisios of Mount Athos

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

What an awesome story. Thank you, FS, for the encouragement. My wife has been begging me, "At least take this time to spend as much time with the girls as you can." I'm just spinning my wheels. Relaxing is not one of my strong suits. Neither is living in the moment. But you've inspired me to redouble my efforts. Thanks again.

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Jean-Michel Lavoie's avatar

As a father of three who was told last week that my work contract would not be renewed at the end of the year, I can relate... (though I have time on my side, unlike you). In any case, I'll gladly move to a paid subscription and pray for you and your family.

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

Gosh... Well, thank you, Jean-Michel. If you need not cancel I understand of course! But I pray you find more work between now and then!

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J. M. Lakin's avatar

Sorry to hear that. We just had our third and I don't know what I'd be doing if I were in a similar position. Praying a lot, I assume.

God give you strength.

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Dan's avatar

Very sorry to hear the news and more than happy to move to a paid subscription to support your work. Will pray for good health for your family.

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

Thank you, Dan. We're very grateful for your support.

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

I’m so sorry to hear about your job. It’s been happening in many sectors. My friend who had a baby not long ago was laid off herself. Years ago, my husband’s company fell apart (owner ran off to another country, never paid taxes, etc) while I was about to give birth to our fourth child. I hope your situation is smoother. I hope you are able to find sustaining work soon.

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

And I will keep you and your family in my prayers!

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

It's amazing how folks play fast-and-loose with other people's lives. Lord have mercy. Thank you so much for your prayers, Zina!

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JonF311's avatar

Why would a future employer care if you write a Substack as long as you're not doing it on company time?

Good luck!

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

I've had jobs where I'm only allowed to write for the publication I work for.

Lots of gigs in communications also don't want you to have any sort of public profile except for the company.

The job that I lost recently wasn't keen on me writing, just because I worked with folks with a wide variety of opinions. Pretty much anything I wrote was liable to annoy someone.

I've also had years where my day job(s) just take up too many hours and I'm too busy/exhausted to write.

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JonF311's avatar

Thanks, that's interesting. I've had jobs where you had to clear any second employment with the employer so as to avoid conflicts of interest, but never anything that would have flat out banned a secondary but not conflicting income source, especially self-employed income.

I have yet to see anything here that is annoying.

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Eastern Rebellion's avatar

Good luck going forward.

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

Thank you!

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Mariellen Gallaher's avatar

So sorry to hear this news, Michael. Praying with and for all of you!

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

Thanks very much< Mariellen!

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Bobby Lime's avatar

Count me in, Michael.

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

Thank you, brother.

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Shannara Johnson's avatar

In the same boat here. I’ve been unemployed for over a month now and am just now starting to look for another job (due to some illness and a work-related injury). I’ll pray for both of us to find good, fulfilling and rewarding (spiritually and materially) work.

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Michael Warren Davis's avatar

Amen! Thank you, Shannara!

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