Remember this clip of Johnny and Ponyboy from "The Outsiders"? It is a moving scene, giving viewers a glimpse into the hearts of two scared, exiled young boys searching for a strand of hope to grasp onto in their time of desolation. Robert Frost's poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" is a brief, thought-provoking poem that has us looking more closely at the world around us and into the world inside us.
I actually thought of that phrase "nothing gold can stay," glancing at my 11 year old dog Luna, out here with me as I sit with my laptop on our tiny... some might call it a porch... on this cool, soft, calm morning. Lu has assumed her habitual position about 6 or 7 feet from me, lying on our cement walkway, alternately snoozing and taking in the sights and sounds around her.
There is somewhat of a golden hue to my dear Luna's coat. I love her dearly and have had her since she was 6 or 7 months old. She is my dear and faithful canine friend. In our time together, she and I have traveled to numerous cities in several states. No matter who else is around, she comes to me when she needs to go outside or needs to be fed. She is very protective of me, our household and our property and has warded off a number of U.S. Mail carriers. She has a heart of gold. However, I know I will not have Luna forever. She's getting up in age, and dogs don't live as long as we often wish they could.
Nothing Gold Can Stay.
For nearly 6 years, I worked faithfully as an embedded contractor at the Albemarle Product Development Center. About a month ago, I fell victim to the latest round of layoffs. I've kept to myself for awhile, blog-wise... sorting out the hurt that caused... getting slowly back up on my feet... crying a little... but, mostly, mustering the strength and gumption I've needed each morning to face another day. I've applied to what seems like hundreds of jobs so far, have had a few interviews, and am continuing in that track until something good happens.
Nothing gold can stay... but the truth is that NEW gold can come at any time! Newness lies ahead for all of us. We can't see around all the corners and curves ahead in our lives' paths... but good stuff is waiting up ahead.
This is where faith comes into play... believing in what we do not see. Jesus said we are blessed when we believe without seeing.
In addition to applying for jobs like a mad woman, I have also been burrowing down into reading the Bible. The entire Bible is rich with truth; full of practical lessons throughout that we can apply to our everyday lives.
I am garden soil overlaid with rich compost and fertilizer, being prepared for the opportunity that is to be planted in my life soon.
I trust God. He is taking care of me in the meantime; I have Lena's support, and I have secured a very small part-time job while I search for higher-paying, full-time employment.
I have two interviews today. Please pray I will be on my toes, that I will say the right things and ask the right questions, and that I will leave lasting, positive impressions on the people who interview me.
Nothing gold can stay... and mourning the loss of something valuable is healthy and appropriate... but it does us no good to sit around for too long a time, moping over what we have lost.
God says, "I know the plans I have for you- plans to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you a future and a hope."
I have two more interviews today, both for jobs I would love to have. The first is for a State job. The second is in an office at LSU and THAT is the one I would most love to have... because LSU employees can take classes tuition-exempt! I would be so crazy about continuing my education, maybe going in a different direction this time. But that's a whole 'nother story. 😋
So I'll pray, and y'all pray, and let's have a great day!
