Stepping Stone to a Promise

Yesterday was Dustin's last day as an officer. It is bittersweet. Well, for him, not me. This was his dream! For 12 of our 16 years of marriage, he kept begging to be a cop. It took me a while to agree, but I eventually realized he had a right to be happy at what he was doing. For four years now, he's been just that. HAPPY! Now I have a depressed husband (he said it will take time to adjust).

 

To help us get by, Dustin took a part-time job as a security officer at Worker's Compensation Fund. He's worked there for over two years. A couple months ago, the VP of HR asked him why he hadn't applied for the investigator position that had opened up. Dustin informed him that he only had 4 years experience as a cop and it required 5. The VP winked and said, "Don't let that stop you." Dustin took this to say, you need to apply. So, he did. Long story short: he got he job.

 

I was excited because this was a promise being kept to me long ago when I took the leap of faith to allow him-yes I said ALLOW- to take the steps of becoming an officer. I was scared, but promised that he would move up quickly and be successful. Well, four years had gone by and nothing. Oh, I guess you can count the $.70 raise he got last year. WHOOPEE! Not my idea of fast or successful. I was starting to complain, but only in my head. When this job offer came along, I knew it was the fulfillment of a promise. I just needed Dustin to see it.

 

This was a hard decision for him. And it was his decision. There was no way I was going to make it for him because I never wanted him to look back and blame me for taking his dream away. In the end, he said he felt like being a cop was a stepping stone to getting this job. He will no longer be a cop. That is a hard pill to swallow for him, but he knows this job is a blessing. He will work regular hours, the environment is better, and it came with a huge pay increase. It almost doubled his salary!!

 

We are both grateful and find it amazing how the Lord's hand is truly in everything. I sometimes hear it said that it the Lord doesn't care what you choose as a profession, but I disagree. I think He wants to be a part in every aspect of our lives.

 

We are excited for this change. I was able to go shopping with Dustin and choose clothes I never thought he'd wear. I almost got him to buy some awesome boat shoes today. He put them back, but one day. It has opened new opportunities for both of us. I might just stay home now. We'll see. I haven't fully decided. It's just nice to have the choice now!