Tim Pickl's Testimony2:
Jesus Provided Me with a New Job!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
                                                                                                              Romans 8:28

The Storm Begins

On the final Friday of April 2006, I lost my job.  Due to a company reorganization, my position was eliminated:
it wasn't my fault....it was just a series of business-related decisions.  I went home that night in shock...it still didn't fully hit me....and I needed to do something.   I logged onto my computer and for the next 6 hours I began the hunt, updating and posting my resume' on job boards until I was so tired I finally had to go to bed.

Hoping and Coping

One of the ways I cope with the things that happen in life is to write poetry:  to get a sense of how I was feeling and what I was thinking during this storm, check out these poems:

 Blurred Vision  April 29, 2006 A.D.
 Broken and Rejected  May 6, 2006 A.D.
 The Hallway  May 9, 2006 A.D.
 S.I.S.:  Suffering in Silence  May11, 2006 A.D.
 The Storm is Over  May 12, 2006 A.D.
 The Solution by Design  May 13, 2006 A.D.

Sowing and Reaping

One thing I learned over the years was that if you find yourself out of work, put that time into finding a new job:  so work 40 hours a week (or more) at finding work.  It's sowing and reaping!  We do our part, and God does His! 

For the next 7 days I worked at it, applying "virtually" everywhere.   I sent my resume' out, applied at dozens of companies, gave them references.  The funny thing is I never left the house!  I did this all through the world wide web.   Then one day that week I was searching for jobs on "Dice" (www.dice.com) and saw a link to ClearanceJobs (www.clearancejobs.com).    Because I have a "clearance" with the U.S. Government from a previous position I held, I thought it would be at least worth a try.  So, I posted my resume' there and moved on.  When I wasn't working at getting work, I worked on updating 3 websites, adding some "flash" effects for the first time...I had some time to learn!

www.alc1.org (Abundant Life Church)
www.sweetpickl.com (Sweet Pickl Baby Gifts, Golf Towels and Irish T-Shirts)
www.pickl.com (The Pickl Family website) 

Running out of time

Then, on Monday and Wednesday of the next week I had two interviews.  The first one didn't pan out, but I felt that the second one went well: I was there almost four hours.  But...from Wednesday until Friday morning, it seemed like I had already applied at everywhere I was looking....a short drought. 

"Something Great is Going to Happen Today!"

On Friday morning May 12, 2006, I took the information I received from the company I was at on Wednesday to Jesus in prayer  I literally held it up to Him, and simply asked, "Lord if You want me to work here, please make a way.  I put this into Your hands".  Then a set the papers down.  Then I lifted my hands to Him and said, " Lord, I do the same thing with my life and my family:  I put myself into Your hands.  I only want to go and work where You want me to work...where You want me to go."  My prayer time that morning ended at 7:30a.m.  My daughter needed some Birthday party invitations printed; and, just as we were printing them out, the phone rang.

It was 7:35.am.   God answered that prayer...and dozens of others' prayers, in 5 minutes!

It was a cellular call....we didn't recognize the number, but took it anyway.   It was a recruiter for a placement/consulting service that sends contractors to various Federal agencies.  The key to the whole thing was my government "clearance".  After that call, I bowed my head and said "Thank You Jesus...You sure work fast!"   

I smiled.

After another phone call at 8:31a.m. and several e-mails, I was offered a new job at a Federal Agency making almost $7,000 more than I was!  Praise The Lord!

Marsha and The Ladies Prayed

This all happened while Marsha was at the Wisconsin District Ladies Retreat (www.wiupci.org) from Thursday night May 11 to Saturday May 13, 2006. Before I signed the Offer, I needed agreement from her, so I called her cell phone.  She called me back.  It was 10:45a.m.  I told her the brief version of the story.  She started crying and laughing at the same time....and couldn't stop for a long time.  (She said yes!) She told me later what happened.  The Lighthouse Ranch for Boys (www.lighthouseranchforboys.org) did a presentation at the Retreat:  they were asking for monthly sponsors.  God whispered to her...."If you give $10 a month, I will give Tim a job."  She responded, "Lord is that You?" He repeated it to her.  She gave the pledge....and I called her 10 minutes after that!  Praise God!

The Storm is Over!

Here is an excerpt from the poem I wrote on that day (The Storm is Over):

         The storm is over and the clouds break apart
         The Son light shines through as I look up
         Thank You Jesus for always being there above
         Thank You Jesus for answering prayer in love

                   Gratitude is the attitude of the thankful soul:
                   In everything give thanks: then in the end,
                                             rejoice, rejoice evermore!

To God be The Glory!

The Thousand-fold Blessing 

That day I thanked God for all who prayed for me and my family:  
I prayed that God would give each one a "thousand-fold blessing"!

5 loaves fed 5000!

Update August 2007:

The original government IT contracting company I worked for was outbid by another company; and
the new company offered to keep me in my position for the same $ amount!  Praise God!

Update June 2008:
My job was supposed to end on June 20.  But, another series of miracles happened,
and now they want to keep me there "indefinitely"!  Praise the Lord!

Every morning when I drive to work, it is a miracle.  Thank You Jesus. 

Update June 2009:
After a strictly budget decision, they terminated a bunch of the contractors, including my position on June 5.
It was a miracle that I was allowed to work there an extra year--praise God!

Update August 2009:
After a long summer of applying for positions, interviewing and being turned down in this tough economy,
I took a temporary position for 9 weeks.  

God provided for me and my family through a series of financial blessings.   God bless every one in the
family of God who allowed Him to bless us!

Update October 2009:
I accepted and started an exciting new full time Help Desk Level 2 position through TAC Worldwide,
working at Johnson Controls, Inc. in Milwaukee, scheduled for one year.

Update April 2011:  Not only did Johnson Controls decide to keep me as a Contractor longer than one year, they hired me directly -- PRAISE GOD!

To God be the Glory!