Immeasurably More

Finally....!

I lost my job on June 4, 2025. I started a new one today.

That’s six months of waiting, six months of scrimping and tracking every penny, of making ourselves eat every leftover, and rarely going out to eat (that’s one of our favorite pastimes!).

For six months, we lived on a whole new plane of what it means to be frugal, at least for us. I did not go on one Target run! (Yes, I’ve already indulged.)

I spent the first three weeks wallowing. Then I decided I needed structure and purpose, whether or not I was getting paid for it. For the first time in my life, I had the luxury of choosing how to spend my time and attention. To be honest, it was pretty fabulous.

I developed the habit of waking up at 6:30 so I could spend an hour outside in what I called “sanctuary.” It was the only time you could be outside in Houston’s summer heat. I spent that hour following my favorite devotion books, basking in the emotions of Psalms and the hope in Paul’s letters, journaling all my thoughts and feelings with naked honesty. I was, after all, in a safe place — a sanctuary — just Jesus and me. It was a pretty fabulous hour.

Then I went to the YMCA for all my favorite classes, came home to clean up, read, binge-watch something, meet a friend for coffee, help my parents, and then prep dinner.

Oh, I also looked for jobs. Lots of them. Did you know it takes 2-3 hours to apply for one job? And then there are questionnaires and essays, and interviews after interviews. Job hunting is hard work that requires a lot of time and a ton of emotional energy. It’s asking someone to think you are worthy. Since I was downsized from a place I loved, it took all my courage to ask over and over again, with each “SEND,” “Do you think I’m worthy?”

Thankfully, I had multiple interviews with almost every organization that I applied to. I’m so thankful for that. I got just enough sniffs to stay in the hunt.

Until finally, someone said, “Bev, come join us!” It took about 24 hours for the joy to sink in. I was going to work and I was delighted!

So today, December 1st, I started as Director of Advancement for World Impact. We train church leaders to build healthy churches in urban poor neighborhoods. My favorite tagline so far is, “When a church moves into the neighborhood…”

I’m working for World Impact because I do still believe in local churches and in their power to lift those around them. Despite all the problems with the Church in America, I believe most local churches desire to feed the hungry, heal the hurting, free the captives, and bring wholeness to moms, dads, families, and entire neighborhoods. And that’s what should happen “when a church moves in….”

Three promises sustained me in the last six months:

1. He will make my feet like the deer on high, craggy mountains.

2. He will make my steps firm on the broad place He will lay out before you.

3. He will do immeasurably more than all I could ever ask or imagine.

I can only say, Jesus was true to every one of these promises, in the hard, risky moments, and in the end. He has, once again, given me more than I could ever ask or imagine, and I am grateful, humbled, and honored.

Since I received the job invitation from World Impact, I have asked myself this repeatedly, “Is it really possible that Jesus would love me this much to bestow such a generous gift?”

At 57 years of age, it’s so very nice to hear Him reply with a resounding YES!