282 - For Beginning a New Career

I met Carol on-line in December 1998 when she wrote to HealingPsalm.com, asking for prayers for her husband who was battling pancreatic cancer. Over the years, I have been her correspondent as she buried her husband (Sitting Shiva), dedicated his headstone (Unveiling), dealt with a grieving daughter and sent a son off to college. An instant message was waiting for me the other day: after graduating with her MSW, Carol was starting her first job as a social worker. Was there a psalm for that?

Two Hundred Eighty-Two

For Beginning a New Career

I praise You, God of opportunities and beginnings,
You are my Support and my Guide;
You sat beside me during midnight study,
You coaxed my best performance.

You allow me to feel satisfaction in my skill,
I am buoyed up, I soar above my tentative self;
New strength, new vision, are my touchstones,
I have sought my best potentials.

I approach my new job as a calling,
Not just food on the table, car payments,
It was my choosing and my learning:
With Your help, I have made it to this day.