When the answer to prayer isn't what you'd hoped for

November 2022

It’s an answer to prayer, but not quite the answer he wanted. Shujin got a job. It comes with many blessings. It’s Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm. It’s the wage he needs for the Certificate of Eligibility, the document we need for the visas for Missy and I. And it’s 30 minute drive from our house, so not too far. I was praying for a family-friendly job and I honestly feel so blessed that God has provided such a job for Shujin. Shujin isn’t feeling the blessings...

On our first morning in Japan, as we were packing our suitcases into the car outside the motel, Shujin got a phone call. It was from Uncle Toshiro. He is the Chairman of the Board for a not-for-profit aged care facility and the manager had handed in his resignation. He calls Shujin, would he be interested in applying for the position?

In that moment there was amazement (we haven’t even been in Japan for 24hrs and he has a job offer already?!) and excitement with words of congratulations from Shujin’s brother, Ken, slapping Shujin on the back, “Whoo! Manager!”

Shujin turned down the offer. He knew the Centre was in financial hell and he wasn’t interested in stepping into that. He had no experience with that sort of situation, he’d never worked in aged care before, and he’d never been in a managerial position of that level before. The wage they were offering fell far too short for the required wage he needed for the Certificate of Eligibility. So he politely said his gratitudes but declined the offer, feeling great relief that he wouldn’t be working there.

A short time later the Board met and agreed to increase the wage to the required amount needed for the Certificate of Eligibility. Shujin wasn’t persuaded but asked if he could see the financial records. It was going down the gurgler fast. He wanted to bail. No Thank You!

In the stillness of a very long and sleepless night, God spoke, “Take the job.”

“But it’s running a $20,000+ deficit every month!” Shujin silently argued.

“Take the job.”

“But it’ll be bankrupt in three months!” Shujin protested again.

“Take the job.”

“I’m not qualified, or experienced!” Shujin pressed on.

“Take the job.”

The arguments persisted, the answers, consistent.

In the stillness of the twilight morning hours God spoke, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine and all it’s fullness. (Psalm 50:9-12)

“I’m in charge of the finance, the earth is mine! Take the job.”

With great reluctance, but in obedience, Shujin accepted the job.