“I was laid off”

Oh God…

My son Ryan had sent a text asking if his dad or I would be home for lunch. He claimed he had an announcement. Ernie was pulling a double shift, and I wouldn’t be home until after 8 pm, so no. Neither of us would be available.

“So what’s the announcement?” I texted back. “Are you engaged?” Not likely. Ryan didn’t even date.

“I was laid off.”

No. I stared at the screen, not wanting to believe the words. Not Ryan. Anyone but Ryan.

“All of us designers were laid off because there wasn’t enough work to keep us busy.” He explained.

I took a little comfort in that. It wasn’t because he had Asperger’s.

When God made Ryan, he’d taken special care with my son. He was smart, loving, compassionate and gifted in math and music. He was also awkward, socially backward. That was the nature of Asperger’s: often “Aspies” were intellectually brilliant but social aliens: understanding the language, but not the cultural rules and norms. Add to that the fact that Ryan had oral coordination issues that make eating and talking a labored effort.

But God had also given Ryan a heart of gold.

“Do you know what Ryan does on Fridays?” My son Joe once asked me.

“Yeah, he buys pizza.”

“Not just for me and him, though.” Joe clarified. “He also pays for the guy in line behind us. He tells them God blessed him with a good job and he wants to bless others.”

That was awesome, but not surprising. We had gone to Disneyworld the week Ryan turned 12. The park presented him with a substantial gift card for the occasion. Ryan immediately picked out a Lego set for his little brother Joe and built a lightsaber for our oldest son, Chris. Then he went looking for a present for himself.

Because, that’s the way Ryan is. 

But now, my 22-year-old son was unemployed.

Why, God. Why? Of all people, why Ryan?

It was his first job and a God sent. The company had called his computer tech instructor asking for a recommendation. Mr. Ripley immediately thought of Ryan. He was perfect for the position. He’d loved the job, was good at it and it paid well. But, none of that mattered now. The job was no longer his.

Why did bad things happen to good people? Is it a test of faith?

Ernie and I have both lost jobs and lived on faith until the next opportunity came. At times faith seemed to be a bomb shelter we hid under as one door after another closed. Other times it was riding a surfboard as God sent wave after wave of blessing our way, carrying us through the hard times. Was it now Ryan’s turn? Was his faith now to be tested? Or was God still testing Ernie and I?

Ephesians 6:16 states “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Unemployment may not be a flaming dart of the evil one, but the depression and feelings of worthlessness that come with it are. Ryan would be facing those darts. Come what may, we would face them with him.

As soon as I got home, I found Ryan and hugged him.

“God gave you that job.” I reminded him. “There’s another one out there for you. God wouldn’t be taking you through this if He didn’t have a plan in mind. He’s taking you out of your comfort zone, to build and strengthen you. This is a time of trust. You’re going to get through this, Ryan.”

He nodded and sniffled. “I know.” Tears started welling up. “I don’t know what to do, Mom.”

I had no response, but to hug him tighter and cry with him.

The next day, Ernie and Ryan went through the papers his former employer had given him. My husband then gave Ryan a crash course on online job searching.

It’s been two weeks. Ryan’s time of trust continues. He and Ernie still browse the web together looking for possible jobs.

Lord, we trust You. We know You only have the best plans for Your Followers. Even so, You can send that wave of blessing at any time.