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A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? Ecclesiastes 2:24 NIV

In today’s challenge, Nancy urges us to encourage our husband in his work, whatever he does and wherever he is.

I used to complain about my husband’s job.

First, there was his job at the software company. I had a whole list of things I didn’t like about his boss. As a person, I loved him, but I thought he made too many unreasonable requests. Then, boss-man was moved to another department. Within a week, my husband was fired. Boss-man, whom I spent six-years complaining about, was the very person standing in the gap for my husband. I felt about two inches tall.

Then, there was the bank. He was hired for one job then put in another, where he was entirely unsuited. I had a list of adjectives to describe this boss, also. Since he couldn’t perform as expected, he was let go. Unfortunately, the major employer in the area just laid off thousands of people at the same time. He couldn’t get a job at McDonald’s.

So, we moved half-way across the country, and he found a sales job. My husband is great at many, many things. Sales is not one of them. He was a favorite among his customers because, when he made a sale, he provided excellent customer service. But, his stats were low so he couldn’t last.

With each job, the hours got longer, the work more demanding, the bosses less understanding. And I complained louder.

Until he took a “bottom of the rung” job – at a telemarketing center. The pay was horrible, promised bonuses were never paid, but I got hit over the head with a divine 2×4. It was, by far, his worst job, but, instead of complaining, I thanked God for His provision, instead of complaining about what I didn’t like.

He’s at a new company, now. It’s still not a “glamour” job, but it pays well and he is excelling. Twice, high-level representatives from the corporate office have come to visit with him to see what he (and a few other of his cohorts) is doing right why he gets so many exemplary customer reviews.

It has been a long journey and we both learned a lot along the way. But the most important thing I’ve learned is to accept where God has placed my husband, to pray for him and his success, and not sabotage his growth by my complaints.

 My Turn:

Daniel is faithful to his employer. No matter the pay or expectations, he gives everything he can to the company.  

Let’s pray:

Thank you, Jehovah Jireh, for providing my family’s needs. Bless my husband in his work. Give him favor with his bosses, fellow workers, and those under him. Cause him to grow through the difficulties and to be courageous and beyond reproach in all his dealings.