How do I know if God is trying to tell me something? (Pt3)

   In my experience, God is here with us.  He is present in others all around us.  I believe I have experienced God working in my life, directing me, in at least three different ways.

     My intro post three days ago provides some basic information about my thoughts on this topic.

https://www.ioikts.net/blog/2404602_how-do-i-know-if-god-is-trying-to-tell-me-something-intro

     God has worked subtly in my life providing me direction that I only recognized in hindsight.  In 2006, I was working for a company that completed the purchase of two different companies on the same day.  We then set about trying integrate the three companies together.  Eventually, in 2007, there was a reduction in force (RIF), and for the first time in my career I was unemployed.  Fortunately, the RIF included an enhanced severance package that provided me about thirteen months of pay.  I took a positive attitude about this, spent a month, relaxing, and gathering information for my job search.  The RIF also including services of a recruiting company.

     I was optimistic about the opportunity before me.  I planned to find another position within about six months and then have some money left over to pay off debt.  I treated my job search as a full time job, networked with others o make contacts, in order to uncover potential positions.  In six months,  I interviewed for many different opportunities and was down to the final two candidates for four positions, missing out on them all.  After six months, I extended my search beyond the state in which I lived.  In late October, I travelled to North Carolina (NC) to interview with a company where one of my former managers was now working.  The opportunity looked very promising.  I stayed in touch with my former colleague and he said it was just a matter of time.  

     The end of the year came with more interviews but no offers.  During that time, my sister-in-law died after a battle with cancer.   Her faith in God was very strong throughout the entire process.  Also, I was struck, when someone else, shared they had been diagnosed with cancer but trusted that God had a plan for them.  I realized that I had been pushing very hard, was stressed, and decided to officially asked God for help placing my job search in his hands.  Of course he had been there with me all the time. 

     The new year started, and each day prayed, placing my future career in God's hands.  OF course, the number of job interviews and opportunities continued at the same pace as the previous year, but without the stress.  As God would have it, I started as a contractor to the company in NC where my friend worked.  The week I received my first paycheck in the new position was the same week that I spent the last of my severance funds. Coincidence, I think not!  Three months later, the company brought me on full time.  

      In retrospect God blessed us in many ways while I was unmployed and then with the opportunity to live in NC.

• While I was unemployed, I was able to drive my son home from school, my wife had extra time to spend with her sister as she battled cancer, and we were able to take a week long vacation that is a lasting memory.  My previous job was four miles from my home so I was able to attend my son's events at school. 
• My son, was in the third grade when we moved to NC.  He was very upset with having to move away from his friends.  We were able to afford his attending a K-12 private school, that prepared him for college.  When explaining my job search, I told him I might have to commute a greater distance.  His first response was "But that means you will be like other Dads, and not be able to come to my events at school."  In NC, I worked a mile from his school and was able to attend 99.9% of his events.
• We lived in a small town where we got to know many of the same families at Church, sports, school, businesses, nd other activities.  We lived in a small subdivision with many wonderful people.  It was a great place to live and raise our son.
• I was employed for fifteen years with the NC company until my retirement.  That time was the most enjoyable of my entire career.  I was able to apply all the experience and knowledge I had accumulated over the previous twenty-nine years.  And last but not least, I worked with one of the best groups of people, developing many friendships.  

      I could go on and on about this situation.  Oh wait, I have gone on and on.

     Enough about me and mine.  Looking back, is there a time that God worked subtly in your life?  Do you trust that He has your back even when you aren't reaching out to Him?

- BigE