In God's way of thinking, we are all made to count.  There is no such thing as rejection or lonliness.  

I  just wish I knew that several years back, when I got turned down for a lucrative job offer that would have meant a lot more money for me and my family.

The reason I got turned down for the job was because I was, in the manager's words, "overqualified".  They were looking for someone with far less experience (but enough to where he or she could do the job comfortably; if not, they would train him or her).  It didn't make much sense.

In fact, when I found this out, I was angry.  Very much so.  I didn't understand why someone with my expertise (experience) couldn't have been hired instead of somebody else.  I was angry at my employer, my wife, and especially at God.  I needed the money: we were in the middle of paying a mortgage on our house and making car payments every month, plus I was taking care of a growing family.  It seemed as if I had more month than money.

Yet God was telling me to be patient and to trust in Him.  He would  make a way for us.  I tried my best, but often I was short-tempered and impatient; I didn't want to wait: I wanted Him to help us NOW.  It was a very hard, emotional time for me.

Then, all of a sudden, a phone call changed everything.  My brother, who lived in Alaska, called to tell me he wanted me to come up there to work with him in the logging business.  He said I would be making twice the money I was now at my desk job.  It sounded too good to be true , but he was adamant.  He wanted me to pack up the family and our belongings and move to Alaska, where he lived; and he would do the rest.

So that was exactly what Trish, I, and the kids did.  We packed up everything after I had just sent off my last payment on the house (the house was now ours), but before could even enjoy the place, this bombshell was dropped on us out of nowhere.  It was like a bolt of lightning from the blue.  It sounded promising, but somehow, God was whispering in my spirit, "Go on.  Do it.  See what blessings I have in store for not only you, Paul, but for your family."  He was insistent, and I couldn't ignore the nudges in my heart.

We then left for Alaska.  Took us a week to get there, but we made it.

I now live in Fairbanks, where Ted and I spend five days a week as lumberjacks.  It is grueling, demanding, physical work, but the pay is good.  And the scenery has its quirks, too.  It is a total change of pace from my former home in Chicago, Illinois, and my wife and kids are happy.  And I am happy, too.  God has managed to bless us in ways that I can't imagine, and He has made me feel like I'm one of the most important people around!  God is so good!!