Laid Off Spouse Part 2: Things happen for a reason

First, a bit about me, but it's related to today's post. I found out today that the company where I interviewed last week just laid off a bunch of people. That would have scared me, even if "my" job wasn't eliminated. Who would want to start at a place that just lost a bunch of people?

There has to be a reason why I can't seem to leave my current place. Maybe I'm really not meant to work anywhere else right now.

Turtle's layoff happened for a reason. We just don't know what it is right now. I believe it's God giving us a test. Not a dangerous one. Just a challenging one. Looking back at the first layoff, I think it was a challenge for us as newlyweds, to strengthen our marriage, and bring us even closer together. Don't get me wrong, there were a LOT of tough days, fights, and even doubts if we were meant to be married, but we got through it.

When Turtle was laid off this time, I said to him that maybe that this is a chance for us to see if we really can live on a reduced income, so that when children finally appear, maybe I can work part time or not at all. So far, things are okay, financially-speaking. Turtle hasn't even collected unemployment yet; it's still pending. He was given a week of severance, and all of his vacation time was paid out, plus his last day of work was a pay day. Altogether, he received 5.5 weeks of salary, which went immediately into our savings account.

And we're doing well with other things--my work, him being home all day, the shift in chores and responsibilities around the house, our health issues. About a month in, and we're getting into a more comfortable place.

Things do happen for a reason.