This past weekend there was an explosion in a new energy plant in Middletown, CT. The workers were purging the gas line and the gas line exploded, killing 5 people and injuring many others. I have many good friends in CT. One of my closest friend's husband works in an energy plant in Middletown, CT. Needless to say, when Bob told me about this newspaper article, I became very concerned.
Once I read the article I learned that it was the NEW energy plant, the one that my friend's husband (FH) applied for a job at, but was turned down. The plant that was going to cause his plant to close and essentially put him out of a job. Granted this was some years down the road, but that was the plan. When FH didn't get the job, he was disappointed about it. He was a little frustrated, but he said to me, "it was G-d's will, it just isn't part of the plan for me."
Usually G-d's will is not as clear so soon. Had he gotten that job, he might have been killed or injured or at the minimum unemployed. This accident, while devastating for many, has the silver lining for him of potentially extending his contract. In the end, not getting that job worked out to FH's benefit. Yet, at the time, it felt like a raw deal.
Sometimes, things work out for the best even though at the time they seem like they are unfair. Usually it isn't so clear so soon as with my friend, but usually, it ends up ok.
I have been thinking about Bob's new job. While he is making much less money that we would like, he is home most days and is almost always home in the evening. He will be able to coach Sammy's soccer team. This is a vast improvement in his quality of life over the job he used to have where he traveled 3-4 days a week, every week. We never would have moved here for this job, and if we weren't here he would not be in the situation he is in right now. Perhaps we got what we wanted, but the road to get there was just a bit bumpy.
It is hard to distance yourself from the unpleasant events that happen in your daily life, but you can not see the destination before you get there. Perspective is only hindsight, never foresight.
i love your blog entries. they are so insightful! i totally agree. it's like that movie "bounce," where ben affleck gave up his seat on the plane for someone else who needed it and then he wasn't in the plane crash. it was unfortunate that the other person was though. maybe it was part of Hashem's plan though?
ReplyDeletealso, while i didn't particularly like where we lived before, some good came of it because my husband's job conference ended up being by where we are living now and that's how we first discovered we wanted to live here and started putting the wheels into motion. :)