March is National Nutrition Month, and today is Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Day! I have been a dietitian for almost twenty years! I love what I get to do.

For nearly sixteen years (since moving to Fargo), I have worked part-time. I have overlapped time at a clinic, a nursing home, a hospital, a college, and now the VA. I’ve had stints of working forty hours a week to fill in here and there. But, on Monday, I officially bumped up my work hours to full-time! It’s a win-win for my team and me.

Working part-time hours was a major blessing when Dave died in May 2013. God knew I needed to have space to grieve, but He also let me have time with Lydia. I would take her to drop-in daycare when I worked, and then we could still go to the park or the zoo. Had I been working forty hours a week, my emotions and parenting would have taken a hit.

What a wonderful, gracious God!

I began working twenty hours a week at the VA in August 2019. It was more than I was doing before, and I was grateful for the opportunity. However, all that we do there is very high-level and takes a lot of effort to stay at the top of our game. So, getting all my tasks done was a challenge before I had to leave each day.

When COVID hit the following Spring, I was so glad to have my VA position because it also meant I was guaranteed daycare at the local Y. They never closed, and I never missed one day of work. God was so good to protect us and provide for us! Only He could know what was coming in advance!

Not long after, I was asked to go to thirty-four hours a week. It was still part-time, but I qualified for full-time benefits. At each age and stage of Lydia’s life, God has covered us! I would go in half an hour later than my coworkers and then work four hours on Fridays. I tended to call my mom, get groceries, or prioritize that time when making routine appointments.

I am a good worker, yet when my manager periodically asked me if I wanted to go full-time, I would politely decline. The money wasn’t the issue; I just wanted to make sure Lydia was in a good spot so I could be away a little more often. I didn’t feel like God gave me the green light until recently.

Over the last few months, Lydia has shone and grown in so many ways. She’s older, responsible, and has her own activities. Lydia continues to rise to whatever challenges arise. She will go to High School next fall! And while there will be more adjustments, I know God will see us through.

On Monday, I wasn’t even at work twenty minutes before I covered a walk-in patient on the fly. I didn’t mind, just took it in stride. I am glad for the chance to serve Veterans and want to do it for the Lord.

There are some obvious perks of working full-time, besides the additional money to help pay for my teeth and MARPE services. Someday soon, I will probably need to get another car (or two). One for me and/or one for Lydia! Plus, we will have college visits coming up, probably sooner than later. 😉

One thing is clear: Regardless of how much I work or earn, God has always given me full-time grace. He is not stingy! Grace is precisely NOT based on anything I can do but on what Jesus DID. We receive His everlasting favor and blessings. Thank You, Lord!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all the ways You show Your love for me. Help me be a wise steward with Your resources and help me trust You more. In Jesus Name, Amen

Questions: How can you trust God to provide for you today, this week, this month?

Task: Pray that Lydia and I can have a smooth transition as I start working full-time. Thank you!!