A Chair . . . Really?

As I waited for my next assignment, I admired her office chair. It was cushy, comfortable, supported in all the right places. Good for her! I thought. And then I remembered my old office chair. As I write this, many of the emotions from nearly 25 years as "just a secretary" at a local high school, overwhelm me. Most of the years were good, but it's the hurtful experiences that have clouded my memories. And yes, admiring my friends chair seemed to bring it all back to me. Please, humor me as I share a bit of my life.

Towards the end of the school year, plans were made for the next year. Budget money was to be spent or it would be taken away. Our department lead would ask, is there anything we need for our department. Many times, I would ask for a new chair. As far as I knew, it was ordered.

But I never received it. My guess is that those chairs would come into our main office during the summer months and given to a more worthy person. Over the years, I had been witness to many such shenanigans.

At one point, 6 new chairs arrived in our department for those of more importance. At the time, one of my friends decided to keep her old chair and passed her new one onto me. If you're reading this, thank you, my friend, for your generous gift!

The lack of consideration by our admin team was hurtful. I spent many hours in an office chair. And I was good at my job. I know they were blessed to have me, even if upper level folks didn't realize it. If I had dropped any of the balls that I balanced, their world would have come crashing down. But I didn't drop them. I supported those folks.

Over the years, that is just one of the subtle ways that I was disregarded by the administration. It shouldn't have surprised me when I learned of a "plan" to make me retire. But that's a different story. Ha!

Back to this day, as I admired my friends' office chair, the enemy wouldn't miss an opportunity to remind me that I was unworthy. He began to fill my mind with all the times that I was disregarded, over-looked, and rejected.

Isn't that the way of satan? He's waiting in the weeds for an opportune moment, sneaking around, ready to devour us. Many times, he simply uses our own thoughts. He twists and turns them, accusing us, cutting us down, causing discouragement. The Bible says he is the father of lies, deceitful, the accuser of the brethren!

But Jesus! For as I write this, Jesus reminds me that I belong to Him. I am a child of God! How great is that? He is the one who prompted me to leave that toxic environment. He gave me a new job! He encouraged me in the process. He gave me new friends to share in my journeys. He gave me new opportunities where I can share my administrative gifts! Jesus reminded me that though I live in this world, I am not of this world! He rescued me!

And I am sure that when I get to my heavenly home, my new office will have a window with a great view, and sitting behind my desk will be a beautiful, comfy, yellow chair, created by Jesus himself! I can even imagine the smile on His face as He delights in me!

Dear Lord, thank you that you can bind up the enemy in a split second and change the trajectory of my thoughts. For you love me, just as I am! Your presence, your Words, your thoughts; they cover me. And once again, it is well with my soul! Thank you for making me victorious! I bless you, Lord, for you are good, all the time!