I was surprised and confused.
I was sitting in church (last August) when the announcement was made that my father would be preaching for the upcoming Friday night's service.
I got home, called my parents, and they laughed as they confirmed what I'd heard. Almost a year after leaving Maryland, I was finally going to be able to see my brother and father- in person! I was definitely looking forward to it!
At the time, I was still working at a pizza restaurant and thankfully, the only day I'd actually requested off was the exact day that they would be free to hang out. (I was basically working- every single day.😓)
I proceeded to get on my family's nerves. I was trying to figure out what time Dad & Phillip would arrive in Texas, what airline they were traveling with, the airport they were flying into. . . everything! Nobody was giving me the details😔 but I did get a text when they got settled in their hotel room.
On Thursday, we met up for dinner. They picked me up in a silver rental car and we found a great soul food spot. I don't know if it was the excitement from seeing my family members or if the delicious food distracted me but some kind of way, I managed to leave my purse at the restaurant. I didn't realize it until I got back home. I tried to call but they had already closed up for the night. I told my dad and sent a Facebook message to the restaurant.
The next morning, I was at work when I got this picture from my father. . .
He came through!
It might sound silly but having Phillip and Dad around for a few days meant more to me than being treated to dinner. (I appreciated that though!) I had a sense of security and familiarity that I hadn't really experienced in the previous 8/eight months. I'm actually getting choked up while I type this. . .
I've always had positive & (overall) healthy relationships with my parents but there have definitely been times where my Dad and I bumped heads lol. The main reason is the fact that I try to plan (for) everything and he's known for the opposite *shrug*. I've said this before but when I was younger, I would get frustrated because of the number of meetings he'd attend, phone calls he'd take and make, and the other responsibilities that came along with being a pastor, teacher, and active community member. Over the years, I've come to appreciate and even promote the impact that he's had on numerous students/families, church members, friends, and even strangers. {Ask him about the Frison Family Network😉.}
Anyway. . . right before their visit, I had been feeling very discouraged. I had been working at the restaurant since April 2nd but I was seriously looking for a full-time job. I went on lots of interviews-> even getting as far as being a Top 3 candidate for multiple companies but things just weren't coming together.
The week before the Frison men arrived, I had been unexpectedly invited to an interview with an agency that I'd been interested in since November of 2018. The HR Director and I connected [back then] and I'd had a screening call and phone interview with her. She had been preparing to schedule my in-person interview when I made the move to Texas and then I didn't hear anything. I decided to reach back out to her in May (2019). She was excited to hear from me! I found out that she'd taken a leave of absence and that's why I hadn't heard from her. Since she already had my resume and cover letter, she simply encouraged me to fill out an actual application so that she could build up my file.
I started working on it but never completed nor submitted it.😐
To make it plain, the interview to which I was invited was for a position that I didn't even apply for! I remember telling people, "I might not get the job. I might not even take it but I still want to go because I want to be involved with this organization in some shape or form." The meeting was great and they invited me to the 2nd round- which took place the day before Dad & Phillip arrived in Texas. I KNEW it also went well but I tried to remain cautiously optimistic.
Anyway. . . on this Friday (August 9, 2019), I was working hard at the restaurant but looking forward to being in service with my family. I clocked out of work, caught an Uber home, and thought about my to-do list. On the way home, an unfamiliar number called me and I ignored it. They left a voicemail.
When I got into my bedroom, I listened to the message and it was the HR Director asking me to call her. I quickly did that and she let me know that I was being offered a position. She said that I could think about it but if I was taking the job, I would start on the following Monday. I quickly told her, "Yes! I'll take it!" She told me to check my email for details.
I was shocked! I ran into the kitchen and shared the news with my roommate. We both were screaming and cheering for a minute. And then I had to shift gears and get ready for church. Once I was set, I took another Uber to the next city over, where Dad and Phillip were staying. We'd agreed that I would Uber over to their hotel and then we'd ride to the church from there. As my driver pulled into the lot, I spotted my father standing by the rental car. I quickly got out and we waited for Phillip to come outside. When we were ready to hit the road, I was once again confused when Dad didn't turn on the main road. We were driving around the hotel. . . Why???
"Umm. . . Do you need me to pull up the directions?" I was trying to be a good daughter & help😇. I don't even remember his response (haha). I think I was looking at my phone when he suddenly parked the car.
"So. . . are you riding with us or are we following you?" I asked Dad what he meant. How were they going to follow me? He simply pointed. I looked and saw the car that I had been driving to work (in Maryland) before my move! How did it get to Texas?!
"This is why I couldn't tell you about our flight or the airport. . . We drove here!" I was so overwhelmed that once everything registered, I burst into tears!
Once I got myself together, Phillip captured this moment behind the rental car.
Let me tell you something! Dad doesn't half-do things. . . I found out that after they got to Texas, he found someone to detail the car and he even got new mats for me! And apparently, lots of people at my church can keep secrets because multiple people knew what was happening- while I was in the dark.This night represented and reminded me of multiple lessons.
1) There are some things that only fathers/father figures can do for their daughters.
2) There's always someone who wants to support you. (That's a Patrice Washington classic.)
3) This is the most important/significant. . . God really loves me!
I had been trying not to be consumed by disappointment and worry as I searched for a job. Even after I accepted that evening's offer, I started trying to figure out how much I was going to have to spend on Uber!
God does all things well! I didn't even tell Dad about the job until after the service. And wouldn't you know. . . I accepted the job/got the car on Friday and the next week, I had to drive back-and-forth to Dallas for my orientation. That easily could have added up to over $300- just for the week for the times at which I was traveling!
I know this has gotten long but I hope you're encouraged by this. If you have a loving father (figure) in your life, please don't be afraid to shower them with love and appreciation. Cherish them- especially if they are striving to encourage & support you.
And whether or not you have a (human) father, know that God loves you and views you as His child. We may not always see or understand His Plan but know that He will make ways for you. And He'll even use people to remind you of His Love. I'm truly a witness.
We may not always want to admit it. . . but sometimes our fathers really do know what's best😎.
I can see that you have a plan
That I won't always understand
Even when I go my own way
You allow my mistakes
But still hold on to my hand
Oh, that's what real fathers do
I wouldn't expect nothing less from You
See, it's alright to not always understand why
Let Him in, bring tears to your eyes
But God, your ways are better than mine
So whatever you see, keep working on me
Promise me- You'll hold me close
Don't ever let me go
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