I just want to share with you just how good God has been to me and to encourage you to never tire in doing what is right (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

The past two years have been quite a test of faith and endurance for me as I’ve had to deal learning to trust God in all circumstances - I was a commission earner which meant a very unstable income never being sure what I’d be earning from month to month. At the height of the recession I earned a total of R3200,00 over a 6-month period, which meant that I could not pay my bills, yet sensed that my purpose was to remain at Liberty Life. There were months where I had wanted o shout out ‘stop the bus’ and just climb right off but knew that I just had to press on. It was especially hard when well-meaning family and friends told me that I had to consider other options yet I sensed that that is not what God wanted. My parents were incredibly supportive and often had to bail me out (like the time when Lara and I had no electricity for two weeks and my folks paid the outstanding bill so that we could live in comfort again) and I often wondered if I had missed the plot somewhere along the line. Towards the end of last year we were told that we would be paid a fixed monthly income but I still could not be assured of what I was earning due to claw backs. (A claw back is when a client lapses his policy and the commission that was paid to me and taken (clawed) back and so I end up earning less for the month). In all this I was asked to help out with pilot projects (retention department), requested to start and run a prayer / Bible study group by some of my colleagues and complete my NQF5 in Wealth Management studies as well. I was also diagnosed with Narcolepsy (it is a disorder that causes periods of extreme daytime sleepiness. It also may cause muscle weakness) which made me wonder if I was ever up to the job of being a Financial Adviser. There have been times where I have cried, pleaded, ranted and raved before the Lord asking what I am supposed to do as I felt the walls were closing in on me. God is just so amazing as He, in His grace, has blessed me in so many ways - even when I failed to see His blessing.

I received a letter from our Sales & Distribution Director which I glanced at and tossed aside, as I thought it was just another standardized letter that he sends to all the staff who pass their NQF studies. Last night, for some unknown reason, I decided to read it properly and almost fell off my chair.

In all this I just see my God’s faithfulness and His unfailing love / mercy / grace! For someone who battles to stay awake in meetings (keep telling everyone that I am entitled to sleep on the job - the joys of Narcolepsy), at times finds it very hard to absorb all that is going on around me, trying to help others in the department who don't understand our products / systems and spend at times work until midnight to ensure that I deliver an
excellent service to our Liberty clients and complete my studies and assignments on time. There were times when I told one of our QA’s that I am convinced that I’m not suited for this job!

A month ago I was asked to head up a new pilot project (my 4th in 2 years) and offered a significant increase in income but was still employed on a contractual basis.

Last week I was informed that I have been offered a permanent position (no more claw backs, yay) and this week my manager told me that she would like me to be the team leader of this pilot project I’ve taken on. I was also informed that the outstanding amount of R8240 for my NQF6 studies is to be paid by the company and now this letter. All I can say is that it is not I but Christ in me that has brought me to the point where our Director can write about such things.

I am also so very thankful for the wonderful parents that God has blessed me with and wish to honour them by telling you all how good they have been to me. My parents, Rex & Marian Bothma (D), have been so incredibly supportive of me and have encourage me even when it was at their expense … buying groceries, paying some of the bills in spite of being pensioners and my prayer is that soon I’ll be at that place that I can fulfill my role as daughter and take care of them and spoil them as they deserve.

For those going through tough times, I must encourage you to always remain focused on God and not on your circumstances and to always remain focused on the task at hand. Be positive even when you feel you just cannot go on because somehow you manage to get through another day and when you least expect it, God overwhelms you with His goodness. Never lose sight of the fact that all riches and honour come from God.
(1 Chronicles 29:11).

I sincerely hope that this will give encouragement to all of you who are going through a difficult patch right now, knowing that we serve a God is can make that which seems so impossible - very possible! All glory, honour and praise goes to my God, Yahweh.

Blessings,
Wilma

(4 September 2010)