Grateful for unanswered prayers

There have been many times in my life where I kicked and screamed and tore my hair out (figuratively, not literally) when things didn’t go my way. I’d mope about it and wonder what bad karma or horrible deed had finally caught up to me. It’s not my best quality, but it is what it is.

Something along those lines happened about a year ago when I learned my company had just hired a new PR director for a position based in southern California. Usually they were pretty good about spreading the word about open PR positions, but this one was not mentioned until it was already filled.

I was especially upset because I’d told my boss in my last review that I was interested in moving back to California and that ideally the move   would be with the company. Obviously the word hadn’t worked its way up the corporate ladder…or maybe it had and they just weren’t interested.

Either way, I find myself today thanking my lucky stars that I was never offered that position since my company’s corporate PR   office just announced that the position had been eliminated. It’s the first – and to my knowledge, only – PR position to be eliminated in my company and its based on some pretty extraordinary circumstances. But still, it doesn’t change the fact that it could have been me who was laid off if fate had only taken a slightly different turn.

What’s more, the main reason I was so desperate to move to California in the first place was to be close to a boyfriend I was dating long distance. I know I’ve mentioned him before and one day I promise I will tell you the unbelievable story – literally, my friends were shocked and it’s more suited to a soap opera or similarly surreal TV show than real life – of our breakup, but for now suffice it to say that things didn’t work out.

How different would my life be now if I’d moved to California for that job? Besides being estranged from my ex, I would be without a job and living in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., a city that also has one of the counry’s highest unemployment rates (and therefore, a glut of job applicants).

If I really was in that situation, I’m sure I could find some positives and a way to make it work. For example, I would be closer to family and I know they would never let me get to the point of starving or being homeless. And some people find the greatest rewards when they’re faced with extreme adversity.

But I’m really grateful I don’t have to deal with the what ifs and their consequences. I’ve always liked the song, but country singer Garth Brooks’ lyrics sum up my feelings in this situation perfectly - some of God’s greatest gifts really are unanswered prayers.

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