I needed to get a new job! I had reached the end of the rope with the job I had at the time. Not only was it extremely stressful, but it also was incredibly toxic. I needed out! So, I started applying for jobs all over the world. I did interviews and even got some job offers, but they just did not feel right. I was careful not to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. I needed to be sure that I got the right opportunity this time around!

One Friday evening, at the end of a long and difficult week, my phone rang. The caller had a 212 area code which I knew was for New York City. I had applied for a job with a New York based organization months before that I had forgotten about. I spent the weekend getting ready for the written test. I was excited about the organization and its mission, which was close to my heart, and the role dovetailed perfectly with my career path at the time.

My family and I started talking about the prospect of moving to New York City with a level of excitement but being mindful of the danger of counting our eggs before they hatched.

I did the written test the next week and nailed it! They then asked for a job interview soon afterwards and I nailed that as well. There was an urgency to fill the role, and based on the interview, I had a good feeling that I would get the job. Everything was falling nicely into place, but there was one hurdle that I was concerned about.

See, this agency had a policy of not hiring siblings in the same organization. I had a sibling who worked there. I even considered not disclosing that fact. After all, with more than fifteen thousand employees working for the agency and my sibling being literally another world away from New York City, how would they ever know? But I couldn’t bring myself to lie about it, so I checked the box and even listed the name of my sibling. All I could do was hope that they would make an exception, or at least not notice the disclosure.

Within a few days, I received the offer letter. I was ecstatic and my family and I were ready to move to the Big Apple! But as I carefully reviewed the offer letter, I was disappointed to see the salary, which was very low, and even with all the benefits, it was lower than what I was earning at the time. I discussed it with my family and weighed the pros and cons.

I found myself caught between a rock and a hard place. Either I get a significant pay cut while moving to one of the most expensive cities in the world or continue working in a toxic work environment. The choice was clear, I would take the job, but first, I would try to negotiate for a better deal.

I carefully drafted an email, stating my level of experience and my passion for the mission. I shared with them my salary scale, showing that their offer was a far cry from my expectations. Within a few minutes, they got back to me, saying that they would review my application one more time.

Moments later, I got a call from one of the senior HR staff, she asked me one question. “Does the sibling you have listed on your application still work for us?” I knew there was trouble.

“Yes, but she is in a field office, far away from New York,” I answered desperately.

She said thank you and hung up.

I went to my room, locked the door and on my knees, I asked God to help me, pleading with him to intercede for me.

Moments later, I got another letter, apologizing for their oversight and telling me that regrettably, they had to withdraw the offer.

I remember the feeling of despair and regret that came over me, as I blamed myself for my greed, regretting why I had decided to negotiate. I remember the dreadful thought of having to go to my toxic job the following week. My heart was so broken! I told my family the bad news and while they were supportive, I could see their disappointment.

I went to my room, feeling dejected and unsure at what had just transpired. I got back on my knees, and told God that I was so sad and heartbroken. Even so, I asked for two things. That He would take away the pain that I was feeling at that moment; and that He would help me get the job that He really wanted me to have. Then I went to bed.

When I woke up the next day, I felt a little better and within a few days, I settled back into the usual routine. I remember knowing clearly that God had helped me to get over the New York job. I continued to apply for jobs, getting some offers but not what I really wanted.

A few months later, a recruiter reached out to me, asking me to share my CV for a position in Washington DC. I scanned the job description and then quickly dismissed it. A few days later, she reached out to me again and still I dismissed the role, saying to myself that it was not a good fit for me.

About a week later, on a Sunday morning, I got a call from a number that I did not recognize. It turned out to be the recruiter who was desperate for me to submit my CV. I promised her that I would and that very day, I sent a generic CV to her, mostly to keep her out of my hair.

Soon afterwards, they called me, telling me that the organization was eager to speak with me. Meanwhile, I was in the final stages of interviewing for a position in East Asia which was very promising. I mentioned this to the recruiter who informed the Washington DC folks of my potential role in East Asia.

To make a very long story short, the DC organization expedited the whole recruitment process and within two weeks, I had traveled to DC for the job interview, got the offer within twenty-four hours of the interview and in three months, my family and I moved across the oceans to Washington DC.

It was not until I was fully settled in my new role that it all hit me. God had answered my prayers! He gave me a job that I did not apply for and that He wanted me to have. He had ordained that I would be in Washington DC during this season of my life, and nothing was going to stop His will.

I have been in Washington DC for almost seven years now and still counting!

Proverbs 19:21 “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” 

These are words that I truly try to live by and every day, learning to submit to His will.