Catherine Nicolette:
Do you ever find yourself becoming somebody who, in the depths of your soul, you really aren't - in order to keep food on the table and a shelter overhead? Yep; the work-life balance conundrum . . .
Taking stock of life
Every now and then it seems as if God gives us a moment so we can pause to take stock of the spiritual temperature of our lives. With the reality-thermometer of what our life is truly becoming.
Moments which may cause us to stop and ponder may include "mid-life crisis" (or, as a wise person once told me, a mid-life breakthrough). Severe illness may force one to spend time out of the busy treadmill of daily life. Other moments may include grievous bereavement, job crisis, retrenchment, layoff or mandated retirement due to age.
At these times we pause, take stock; and don't always like what we see.
Life-path
Prayer is great benison at these times. Moments of taking stock are opportunities to decide whether we want to continue on our present trajectory, or to choose a new path. Whether you continue on your current path, or change life-path, it is good practice to always keep in mind that both choices contain their own difficulties. Everything in life has its price.
Crust of bread
Which brings me to the employment situation. In order to earn the proverbial crust of bread, many need to work. A job opportunity arises; it seems the perfect fit. People within the employment context prove amiable with good set of values. Employment opportunity thus accepted may prove a boon.
Over years, however, things at work may shift. Organizational core values and requirements surrounding the job may change. Consequently, you may find yourself in a driven environment quite unlike that in which you first started. Further, you may find that the employment situation no longer quite synchronises with your personal moral value-system.
Gradual change
This is not always a quick realization. Change may happen so gradually, that it may seem that one day you just woke up and realized the employment world you entered, is no more. The only thing that you seem still to have in common is organizational need for expertise, and your need for remuneration. A situation of mutual benefit. Or not.
It is helpful to remember that life is fairly short. For those so blessed, we may attain threescore and ten, and beyond. Even so, we will not be on this beautiful earth forever. So it is important that we discern our lives well.
There may be signs
In regard to employment, sometimes God allows our work trajectory spontaneously to change. As part of organic aging process, we may find ourselves physically less able to keep up with professionally active demands. This may be a sign that the time has come for change to lighter form of employment.
We may prove less patient with changes which have grown up around work we genuinely used to love. This may be a sign that you have matured, perhaps past your current work culture.
Other factors may come into play. You may need to make a decision to care for a disabled family member. In so doing, you may lose competitive work edge, due to caregiver demands. This may be a sign that you are branching from work life to fuller family role.
Layoff
You may be met at work with the news that you are being let go, for whatever reason. Causes may include inter alia restructure of work organogram, trimming of staff numbers, economic factors, or different vision for workplace-future. These situations happen.
Do remember that this does not reflect on you. It simply may be symptomatic of your workplace culture. This is always, of course, a shock to the system if unexpected. Especially if you have dependents trusting in your provision. Yet, do not despair. God will always help you make your way through these occurrences in life.
Guidance
If God is leading you to make decision regarding your employment station in life, turn to Him for guidance. Discern what God is asking of you. If possible, avoid undue sharing of your challenges with others. Not all acquaintances may prove worthy of your trust. Imprudent and hasty speech sometimes lead to regret and tears further down the line. Speak with a wise and trusted counsellor, such as a confidante, family member or worthy priest.
Mature in holy way
Sometimes God asks of us to change employment, so as to enable personal value-system to grow and mature in holy way. At times Divine Providence may lead us to reduction in working hours and income, to free us for growth in spiritual stature and emotional wealth. As a dear Irish nurse-friend told me years ago, we may be cash-rich and time-poor; or cash-poor and time-rich. Both have their benefits; both have their challenges.
Service of Kingdom
Sometimes God removes demands on our time, so that that we may be freed for other tasks required in service of His heavenly Kingdom.
Discernment
At times of discernment, turn to the prayer chapel, visit the Blessed Sacrament, attend worship services, pray the rosary, and ask God to guide you to the best way forward. He will.
Many graces are bestowed by God during prayer. Great comfort is received from God at times of difficulty. Jesus told us, "Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Children of grace
We are all children of God under the grace. We do not need to constrain ourselves to employment which does not align with core values of holiness, modesty, purity of mind and thought, honesty in praxis, and godly values. We do, however, need to eat and provide sensibly for ourselves and our loved ones. God always awaits at the crux between need and opportunity. Turn to Him in prayer when employment situations warrant heavenly Guidance. The Almighty will never fail you.
Circumstances change
A decision made in one decade may no longer prove appropriate twenty years later. An appropriate decision made by one individual, may not suit the situation of another.
God has a different plan for each person. His plan takes into consideration the time, situation, and differing needs. As God's plan unfolds, we need to trust in Him.
We are constantly evolving, becoming stronger or weaker in our spiritual lives. As my mother always said, we can only go forward or backward in the spiritual journey; we can never remain in the same place. She counselled that we need to ask God for grace, and constantly strive to move forward.
As circumstances change; we need to change along with them. The virtue of humility helps us to accept inevitable situations with grace and dignity.
Spiritual Exercises
God's plan for an individual develops as the work of holiness within the soul matures. What God may require of us in our youth, may no longer be needed in our midlife. Thus, discernment is needed. The spiritual exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola may prove most helpful in this regard.
Layoff
Do not be daunted if dearly-loved employment is no more. If you find yourself on the way out of the organizational door after layoff, do not panic. God is watching. He knows what you need. This may even be part of His greater Plan. In some instances, something good has to go, in order for something better to take its place.
Godly values
Be strong. As a child of God, you have everything you need to rise to employment challenges. Inclusive of work layoff with disentanglement from situation. At times God allows freeing from undue responsibilities, in order to create space for nurture of godly values.
Make haste slowly
The old maxim often proves helpful; make haste slowly. Do not make quick decisions regarding employment. Think and pray about them. Seek wise guidance.
Once the decision has been made, thank God for what was.
Look forward to what is to come.
If you are facing employment challenge, perhaps the following prayer chapels may be of comfort to you. Blessings
PRAYER CHAPEL FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE - PRAYER FOR EMPLOYMENT, PROVISION AND NEW BEGINNINGS
https://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2026/09/prayer-chapel-for-divine-guidance.html
Pray the rosary
https://www.comepraytherosary.org/
Lourdes Grotto
https://directfromlourdes.com/lourdes_live_tv
The Divine Mercy chaplet
https://prayrosary.net/novenas/divine-mercy
https://prayrosary.net/chaplets/divine-mercy
Image courtesy of Perchance.org with CN Whittle "Office"
With thanks to comepraytherosary.org, directfromlourdes.com, and prayrosary.net
