Part III-The Journey

When Braden and I were dating, he would counsel with me about his career. At that point, he was changing from a communications major to possibly pre-med to possibly business to finally history. He put so much weight on finding the perfect career that it was almost paralyzing for him. After some misguided guidance to NOT major in Business, he settled on history in hopes of going to business school for his masters. But by the time he graduated, he discovered that you have to have 3 years experience to apply for business school but they businesses won't hire you unless you have a business degree. Shoot.

By this time, Braden felt he really wanted to go into Retail Management and applied for various positions, but got none. So we opened our store and gained invaluable experience in so many areas, including retail management. After we closed, Braden knew he still wanted to go into management, but didn't know in what field. So he applied for Chase Bank and Enterprise but didn't get either job. He would get all the way to the final interview but then not get hired. It was so frustrating. He has so many skills, why couldn't he just get a good job so he could provide for his family?

He kept applying and picking up odd jobs, like working for our friend's landscaping company and for a farmer plowing his fields, and finally got the job at USPS. Still, he thought he wanted to be a manager. Slowly, though, people, random people at random times, started mentioning to him that they thought he should go into Finance or Accounting. Those are PERFECT jobs for Braden. He loves details, numbers, money, and organization. Slowly, he realized he doesn't like sales at all (hates it almost) and doesn't really love the rah-rah-rah managers often need to give to motivate a team. He works well on a team, but works really well doing his own thing.

When the first U o P job came around and then continued moving right out the window, he realized that he needed to focus his efforts into getting a job in the right field. A job that would be his career rather than just another money-maker. So, after some serious searching. He settled on Finance/Accounting. And not a few days later, the opportunity to apply with U o P in the Finance department came. The greatest celebration for me is that for the first time in our marriage, and really in Braden's life, he knows what he wants to be when he grows up and we are finally on the road to becoming that! Way to go, honey!

I just need to say that I am so proud of him for persevering. As moms, I think we often forget what it takes to go out there and get a job. We apply for a job, wait 9 months or so, and bam! here's our work for the next 18-100 years. Our job doesn't fire us, we can't quit, but we get incredible benefits. For our husbands, it is another story. Watching Braden develop over the last 4 years has been a blessing for me. To watch him come out of his shell, to go out of his comfort zone, to take jobs that are not glamorous and sometimes humiliating to support his family, and to work long days, long hours, and long weeks without much complaining. And then, to watch him apply for job after job after job and not get any of them, and to turn around and say, I know the Lord is guiding us and holding something better than this. I have been inspired and very grateful for his diligence, patience, faith, and hard work.

We don't know if this is the end of this journey. We know another journey is beginning, but we don't know how long it will last. Nothing, as we've learned, is guaranteed. So, we just pray we can continue faithful and grateful, recognizing the hand of the Lord in all things.