Once again, God provided, in his own perfect timing, and he used the opportunity to exercise my faith, too.

Three years ago, when I retired from the Air Force, I saw God work elegantly to provide me the right job at the right time, in an amazing, "just-in-time" way. (You can read the story at my "Dan's Thankful Thoughts" entry.)

So, as a result, I was less anxious when I found out in August 2007 that SRA was running short of contract work and would probably have to let me go soon. I figured the job was God's to give me in the first place, and it was his to take away if he saw fit. I asked people to pray for us about a new job, and started the process of searching for openings and sending out resumes and applications. The work at SRA was projected to run through the end of December 2007, and as the date got closer, nothing seemed to be happening.

Friends in our church, though, knew someone at SAIC who was hiring engineers, and suggested I contact him. I thought it wouldn't be a good fit, but out of courtesy, I contacted him anyway. We agreed in the interview that the position they were looking for wasn't a good fit for me (too entry-level, and required software skills I didn't have). So, we parted on good terms, and I didn't consider SAIC any further. Meanwhile, SRA told me my last day would be January 2nd, 2008. More applications, still no responses.

Then, four days before Christmas, and a week and a half before the end of my SRA job, I got a phone call. It was the same SAIC manager who had interviewed me earlier, asking if I was still looking for work. (Yes, I said.) He told me his lead engineer had announced his resignation that morning, and asked if I could interview again that afternoon!

The rest happened in a sequence that, once again, just like three years ago, showed God's perfect timing. Two days after Christmas, SAIC provided the application paperwork I needed, and I filled it out and submitted it. On Monday, December 31st, 2007, I got confirmation that SAIC had received everything and expected to make me an offer by the end of the week.

Wednesday, January 2nd, was my last day at SRA. They had been a great company to work for, and treated me very well. They even ensured my end date fell in 2008 so I could receive the company's 2007 contribution to my 401(k) retirement account! That day, I packed up, moved out, and went to spend a couple of days alone at the cabin of some friends (which they usually rent out, but provided free as a gift to Dan - thanks, Mark and Ruth!).

The next morning - the next morning - I was up early, taking sunrise photos on Lake Blackshear. At 8:18 a.m. I was sitting on a park bench enjoying watching birds flying over the lake, and my cell phone rang. It was SAIC, giving me a verbal salary offer! I accepted, and the next day signed the initial new hire paperwork, and was told my start date would be January 10th.

So, I had about four months warning of my old job ending, and I tried to be diligent to do my part (praying, searching, applying). However, just like before, God provided in an unexpected way, just in time. It had been less than three weeks from that first unexpected phone call to my first day at my new job!

God is good!