by Ricky Doc Sauceda
I was hired by the employer that I gave seventeen years of service to. In all that time, I had been approached by various women whom I rejected - solely on the grounds of Mosaic Law and the Lord's words in the New Testament. Marriage is sacred and God is very serious about us being true to our spouses. I never partied with any co-workers as a result of my managerial background...it is a rule that you don't do that. The work environment must be maintained at a respectable level.
So, comes Winter 2008 and Spring 2009...the one person who had been strong and rebuked all bad behavior was falling apart. This was a great opportunity to make lite of his misery, to take jabs at the one who dared to be righteous and untouchable. Now, he was seen for the weak and pitiful fool that he really was. They really had a blast just with that part of it.
Then I experienced my revival with my faith...I "got a grip!" Now that is something they didn't see coming by a long shot. Then I started going to church, reading my bible, fellowshipping, playing my Christian radio station at work and I stopped drinking and taking my prescription pills for sleeping and pain (I had suffered a food allergy outbreak head to toe).
I started working out, and I need to get back at it, and I lost a lot of weight. To date, I have lost 50 pounds...it was 60 but I have gained 10 pounds since I got laid off in January. It got to me and now I am getting my character back in order. I had endured quite a bit beyond my marriage falling apart. And I didn't mention having to mend my relationships with all of my children...which is still a work in progress. But at least they are intelligent people who are making the best of their lives. They are still focused on their futures and are drug free and have God in their hearts. That is a huge blessing.
So, I just wanted to give a bit of background there because the more I became involved with my Christian faith, the more my co-workers and my boss gained resentment towards me. And the day I was laid off was almost a celebration for them. It is amazing how misguided people can work so hard at being cruel rather than worshiping the Lord and directing their lives "in the light."
I had a really tough time working at that place all of those years. Being home for almost three months is the first time off I have had in all of these years. I needed it. So, in my poem I mention that I shake and tremble a bit because I have no certain idea of where I am headed in life. But, God has always put me somewhere so I know He will again. I just thought I would share this aspect of my journey to show that this struggle is defeatable with God at the helm.
God bless you.