Matthew 6:25 – Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, and about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater (in quality) than food, and the body (far above and more excellent) than clothing? (The Amplified New Testament)
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

It happened in the month of my fiftieth birthday and after 24-3/4 years of service. I was downsized, redundant, expendable. Now it's six years later and last October 1, I started my first full-time job.

They say life begins at fifty. Well, I'll agree with that. I had to start all over again: the employment office, the libraries, the counsellors, the resumes, even back to school at fifty. I had to learn to get rid of the three flaming C's and replace them with the three C's of the Son. I had to deliberately and consciously check myself when one of the three flaming "C's", Complaining, Criticizing and Condemning, was my response, and to replace them with the 3 "C's" of the Son: Cradle [love, joy, peace, patience]; Cross [service, commitment, self-sacrifice]; Crown [forgiveness, victory, eternal life].

Daily devotions and old familiar hymns kept the hope alive and the spirits up. One important devotional was called Daniel: Strength to Pray. I memorized it as Daniel's five P's Persistence in Prayer, a Place for Prayer, a Plan for Prayer, a Posture for Prayer and the Practice of Prayer. Favourite hymns that I hummed were You Must Open the Door and Trust and Obey.

In six years and as many part time jobs, I learned that happiness is a choice, that prayers need feet, and that an attitude of gratitude is best.

Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for providing all the necessities, the strength, and the hope required while prayers are being answered. Thank You for the many devotional writers, editors and songwriters who inspire others. There's no greater comfort than knowing that You hold us firm in your hand regardless of our situation. Amen.

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