During a recession in the United States, when I needed work as a teacher, I was told there were about 300 teachers for every job opening in my area. Schools simply weren’t hiring. My greatest desire was that my God-given talents be used to bless others, and that was my sincere prayer. I affirmed that God, who is good, would supply the place for me to do that.
Although the job opportunities looked slim, I began to listen for God’s direction. I thought of the prophet Elisha, in the Bible, who asked a widow whose sons were about to become bondmen for her creditors, “What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house?” And she replied, “Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil” (II Kings 4:2). Elisha then told her to borrow pots from her neighbors and pour out the oil into the vessels. They were all filled up full, so she was able to sell the oil, pay her debts, and keep her sons free. That phrase “in the house” brought to mind the importance of keeping my mental house—my thoughts—stayed on the fact that God was supplying my needs, not the job market or the economy. And I affirmed that my God-given talents were needed and useful.
As I continued praying and listening for divine Mind’s direction, a series of surprising events happened quickly. I advertised a musical wind instrument for sale. One of the callers who answered my ad had just retired from a teaching position. She advised me to make an appointment with a person she knew, and to bring samples of what I had produced as a freelance newspaper writer. When I went to see this person, she looked at my portfolio and said, “You are just the person we’re looking for.” She placed a call to a nearby middle school that wanted to start a small newspaper, and within the hour I had a job.
