By Ricky Doc Sauceda
I have shared so much of myself over the past few years. There are some details I left out. Intentionally. I was more troubled than what I previously shared with you. My children knew about these details because I told them.
In January of 2010, I lost my job of seventeen years. I was “let go” abruptly one day…the 20th of that month and year to be precise. That day is my eldest sister’s birthday and was shared by my ex-wife and myself as our original wedding anniversary date. That day would have been our 27th anniversary. It was not.
I had a car to pay for and was making installment payments on a court judgment over an automobile accident I was in. I fell behind on car notes and payments on the judgment. The car finance company and attorney handling the judgment were fair and did their best to help me. The trouble was I was on unemployment which paid a fraction of the salary I had lost.
I received $900 per week in salary. Unemployment paid $400. I was locked into a high rental apartment and my electric bill was constantly unreasonable for a one bedroom apartment. I was undergoing a revival of my Christian faith which helped me cope with all of these elements. I also was exercising every day and developing a constant faith walk. My children did not recognize me physically or emotionally.
It was the biggest transformation of a person they had ever seen. Before, I was very liberal with them. I did teach them about Christianity, but I also gave them a freedom to be individuals. This is why they were outspoken with me about how they felt about what was taking place. I allowed them to because that is how I raised them.
I moved to a new apartment, two bedrooms, and the rent was cheaper. I had a park across from me and began to run there daily. This was very convenient.
I had interviewed for a new job and was called for testing a few months later. I was shocked to finally get a real job opportunity. When I did get hired, I found out that my gross income would be the very same I was receiving from unemployment, which devastated me. I needed to get caught up with car notes and the attorney’s office for the judgment. Due to missing five installments, the attorney undertook steps to have my drivers license suspended for defaulting on my payment plan. I had just begun my new job. I was in disbelief.
I kept driving to my training and to my first location. What choice did I have? I was transferred to my current location which was much closer to my home. I was feeling so stressed out about the suspension. I knew I would continue to have money issues because of my low salary. I moved closer to work for the purpose of being able to walk if I had to.
One thing remained constant – my job performance. I achieved a high level of performance due to my Christian faith. I received so many compliments that I got the attention of my regional manager, asst. manager and made good friends with the state troopers I work with.
On September 9, 2011, my car got repossessed. I indeed had to walk to work. I also bought a bike to make it easier to get to work and home. I also rode that bike to church and to Monday’s CCE class for five months. That is a twelve mile round trip. I was riding 15 miles to work and home, 24 miles to church and home and 10 miles to the store and home for the duration of five months. When my first bike broke down, I had to walk.
I finished my first year with high marks. I was commended for my performance by the senior manager in Texas. I was then given the opportunity to test for the first of two certifications. After passing I was asked to fill out an application for the certification. I read the questions and one dealt with suspended drivers license. I had to be honest and discussed my situation with my supervisor. She was shocked.
I had cleared up my suspension and had started a new payment arrangement with the attorney overseeing my judgment the month before. I was still having to get around by walking or biking. There had never been anyone like this at our office before, maybe never at any office in Texas. All I know is that I did what had to be done to continue being able to earn a living.
I was called into a meeting with the regional manager, asst. manager and my supervisor around February of this year. It was about my application and suspended drivers license status. I was reprimanded for not having informed my office of this matter. I was asked if I would like to offer any words about my situation, and I explained the history behind the suspension. I was thanked for my response and was told it would be up to Austin HQ to approve my certification or delay it.
I did indeed get approved for my certification and am now driving again. I have shared about my 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle; a gift from a nice married couple from my church. It has needed repairs but runs and gets me around. If things don’t work out with it, I have my bike standing by and I can always walk. Life continues to be challenging but I have learned one important lesson.
No matter what I think about my troubles or worries, I just keep praying. I keep listening to my Christian ministry programs, keep reading my bible, keep talking to the Lord, keep sharing and keep my eyes on the Lord. In Him, I have my peace. The very thing that I asked for the day I got on my knees and received an answer from Him. This is an event that has kept me going for three years now.
Matthew 6:31-34
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
May you be encouraged and blessed by my testimony. God is love. Amen.