The Phone Rang
Introduction
In this short story I am sharing with you one of my life's experiences and the wisdom the Lord Jesus has given me through it. My hope and prayer is you will be both blessed and encouraged by this little booklet.
In this life we know we will have trials and tribulations. It is comforting to know Jesus is our sheperd. He will be with us and He will give us strength to travel through each and every valley.
May we be faithful to Him and trust Him to protect us and bring us through the storms of life.
1
The Phone Rang
The Phone rang. I thought “Well, this is it.” I took a deep breath and picked up the phone. I gave my standard greeting and waited to hear who was on the end of the line. I was right. My manager identified herself and asked me to come to her office for a moment. I said “Yes” and hung up the phone.
I took a couple of seconds to compose myself, then I stood up, ready to go and face the music. I had been expecting this, but it was still hard.
I glanced over at my co-worker. She was looking at me with a questioning look. I answered her with a slight nod and mouthed the name of our manager. She looked distressed.
I walked over to my manager’s office and stepped in. She was sitting at a small, cozy table, while a Human Resources person was sitting only a few feet behind her. I smiled at them shut the door, sat down at the small table, and waited for the axe to drop.
2
Laid Off
My manager started in on her canned speech. She had said it a few times before me, and she will say it again to someone else after me. “I regret to inform you . . ."
She mentioned a severance package, and pointed to the figure that I would be receiving. She continued to explain all the benefits that would end immediately, and the ones that would be extended for a period of up to three months. Then she asked me if I had any questions.
She informed me I had an appointment with a career transition consultant.
My mind was racing. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was discuss my employment opportunities. I just wanted to get out of there.
We got up and I was escorted down the hall, with my severance package in my hand. I passed many employees I had worked with for over ten years. They looked at me and knew I had been terminated.
3
The Consultant
I was escorted to a small office in the corner of nowhere. I was introduced to a consultant. We acknowledged each other and shook hands. My manager turned away, shut the door behind her, and walked away. I sat down and waited for the consultant to begin.
She asked me a few questions, and I could tell her job was to access my emotional and mental state. After a few moments she made a comment about how well I was taking the news and asked me if I was looking forward to new work opportunities.
I told her I was expecting the lay-off and was glad it was finally over. I explained I had worked for this company for eleven years, and I had been through many cycles of hiring and laying off.
I did not mention I had been laid-off when I had worked with the company for almost five years. I had walked the path before. I was called back.
Shortly after that there was another lay off. We all had to re-apply for our jobs, knowing some would be retained and some would be let go. I saw managers being walked out, and my co-workers laid-off. I was one of the ones left to pick up the pieces. I was placed into a job I knew nothing about and felt the attitude was sink or swim. I survived that round.
A few years later there was a factory strike and the office staff, who were non-union, were expected to cross the picket line and come to work. We were removed from our own jobs and told to put on steel toed shoes and build parts. When the strike was over we all returned to our work stations and we picked up the pieces again. I survived that round.
I told the consultant I was relieved to be one of the ones let go, and I did not envy the ones who were left behind.
We chatted a few more minutes, and I knew the interview was over. She found out what she was hired to find out. No, I wasn’t angry. No, I wasn’t going to be a problem.
She phoned my manager to come pick me up but there was no answer. She looked at me nervously.
We chatted for a few more minutes, and she called my manager again. There was still no answer. This time she left a message. I could tell she was feeling awkward. I knew she would not allow me to leave the office unattended, so I made no attempt to leave.
She was getting desperate. She asked me if I knew anyone who sat close to my manager, and I replied, “Not anymore”.
She flinched, picked up her phone again, and picked up the phone list. She phoned someone from Human Resources and tried to explain her situation tactfully.
Finally, my manager came and picked me up. The consultant and I shook hands and I was led away by my manager.
We walked back to my desk and again I passed by my co-workers and noticed their uncomfortable stares. The three women who worked beside me were in a huddle, and separated when they saw us coming.
4
Time to Say Good-Bye
When we reached my desk I started to collect my personal possessions. When my manager offered me a box to put my things in, I accepted.
When she left to get the box, I walked over to my co-worker’s desk and we gave each other a hug. My manager came back looking uncomfortable. I went back to my desk and put my things in the box and closed the lid.
My manager and I had only walked a few steps, when one of my co-workers, and friend, brazenly walked over to me, ignoring our manager, and said, “It’s not you, it’s the situation. It’s not you.”
I put down my box and we gave each other a hug.
This opened up the flood, and other friends came over and gave me a hug and wished me well. My manager slinked around the corner and waited for me. Yet another co-worker came over and hugged me and wished me well. Then I said goodbye, picked up my box, and walked over to my manager.
Together we walked over to get my lunch and coat then proceeded to walk to the door. Again I saw the shock register on the faces of my co-workers as they correctly accessed the situation.
My manager held the door open for me and wished me well. I stepped outside. She shut the door and walked back to her work station, preparing herself for the next meeting.
5
It Is Over
I started walking towards my car. It was finally over. I was now unemployed.
Eleven years of service had been reduced to a handful of possessions, a severance package, and the humiliating experience of being stripped of my passwords, my badge, and my dignity.
A wave of emotion overwhelmed me. Scripture says that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. I felt the tears sting my eyes and I opened my mouth and spoke.
“Thank You Father for delivering me out of bondage and setting this captive free.”
The Lord said,
“I have indeed seen the misery
of my people in Egypt.
I have heard them crying out
because of their slave drivers,
and I am concerned
about their suffering.
So I have come down to rescue them
from the hand of the Egyptians
and to bring them
up out of that land
into a good and spacious land,
a land flowing
with milk and honey.”
Exodus 3:7 to 8a N.I.V.
“I know the plans
I have for you,”
declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you
and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope
and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 N.I.V.
