When did I become so comfortable here?

Here at a place where I’ve spent most of my adult years.

Years that have passed so fast in the blink of an eye.

I have gained an abundance of knowledge, I can’t lie.

Lying in my bed, I ponder about what’s ahead.

Ahead of me I cannot see exactly the plans God has.

Has my duration here finally lost its pizazz?

When did I become so comfortable here?

Here in this office, I am grateful to be.

Being in this place has been my main source of income to provide for my family.

Family, like my children, who only know of this one place I’ve worked.

Worked my way from the bottom to where I’m at today.

Today marks 17 years, hurray!

Hurray? Is that how I truly feel?

When did I become so comfortable here?

Here in this space where I can no longer grow.

Grow? No.

No, it seems like it may be time for a change.

Change of scenery? Maybe. I have always been attracted to the mountain range.

Range of motion seems to be limited the longer I stay.

Stay, until I’m old and gray?

That would mean I became too comfortable here.

-Rose

So Comfortable. Have you ever found yourself thinking about your future? If the current job you’re at will be your last job for the rest of your life or if you see yourself doing something different? I wrote this one pretty much in one sitting while at work. I just started thinking about my future in my current position. I work as a Store Customer Service associate for a major retail company. I process the claims for stores that we service, which total close to 100. As the poem states, today is my 17 years anniversary. Wow! 17.

I still remember as if it were yesterday. I started on the night shift, working Tuesday-Friday. My role was a processor/unloader/door runner. Over the years I moved to many other roles and shifts, even the graveyard shift working 8pm-6:30am Tuesday-Friday. I’ve gained so many skills and learned more about myself as I grew. I’m the type that enjoys learning something new. I tend to get bored easily if I don’t feel challenged enough mentally. I’m not afraid of a little hard work physically either.

I’ve worked in an area called Non Con, which is short for non conveyable. The items in this department are too big to ride on the conveyor belt that leads to shipping. These items consist of large flat screen TVs, bikes, bunk beds, dressers, dog food and cat food bags, kitty litter, etc. It’s the non con order fillers job to pick from the slots that the items are in and form a stack on a pallet. Once the order is complete, we deliver the pallet to the assigned shipping lane using power equipment. I worked in that area for a year on the weekends.

I ended up becoming a backup in our Systems department and eventually securing a permanent position. I knew I couldn’t see myself processing, hauling freight, and unloading trailers for the rest of my life. It’s very laborious and is hard on the body. So when the opportunity became open for me to learn all things IT, I went for it. Nervous and all. I didn’t know what to expect. Yeah, I took online classes for IT support and obtained my Associates degree prior to this offer, but I never had actual hands on experience. I wasn’t use to engaging with people face to face trying to resolve issues that I had no clue about. I pretty much learned as I went. I mean I had the basic knowledge of computers and a curiosity about how things worked. I also love working with my hands. So I guess with all that combined it made for a successful pathway for me. Overtime as I gained more and more knowledge and built up my skills of customer service and troubleshooting, I became the go to person. I don’t even know how that happened because I started out on the graveyard shift being comfortable in the background. Not experiencing any real action or issues to face, to eventually moving up to the day shift and learning how to process store claims while also working as a Systems Operator. I thought I was just going to be filling in here and there as a back up to the person who trained me to process claims. A month later it turned out to become my permanent position. I went from one title to two. God heard my prayers over those six years of being on night shifts. He knew I wanted to be home at night with my two daughters and my mom.

Before God had opened each door for me, I remained patient until the time was right. Right now I find myself waiting patiently again until God opens the next set of doors for me at just the right time. His timing, not mine. Although I am comfortable where I am currently at, the only other option for growth is to become a manager. It’s not something I desire to become here. It just means a more demanding and stressful life. Yeah, it would mean an increase in pay, but you can’t buy peace. I see how the current managers there are treated. How they have to move to whatever shift they are told to. No thank you. So what do I do next? I can’t see myself doing what I do now for the rest of my life. It’s not challenging enough for me. Yes, I have it made. I sit in an office all day in front of my computer, in the AC during the summer and in the heat during the winter. I have no complaints. There is nothing wrong with wanting to grow and seeking out change. I enjoy writing, but I’m just not sure where God is leading with this gift. I just know I’m not satisfied with just being comfortable. I want to know that I making a true difference. Doing more for God’s kingdom and what I truly enjoy.

It’s scary to think about walking away from the only place you’ve known for so many years. A place that has helped you grow into the person you are today by learning so many skill sets. To start over seems insane. I was 23 going on 24 when I first started. Today I’m 40 going on 41. It’s been a journey. This is the only job my kids have known that I’ve had. It’s a true blessing. Until God leads me elsewhere, I remain comfortable.

✝️“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.3.5-6.NLT