Trapped

Trapped

            It all started with a late phone call. It was simple really. Call mom when I get done with exams and tell her my sister and I made it safely to the movie theater. We arrived there safely, but instead of calling mom, we enjoyed a meal and watched Prince Caspian. After the movie I remembered I forgot to call mom. When she answered, I knew my sister and I would pay when we got home. And we did.

            I remember that day like it was yesterday. When we got home, mom had an application to Honeys Supermarket where she worked. She said, “Hopefully this will teach you some responsibility.” My heart was broken. I had just gotten saved a few months ago and started to go to church regularly.

I knew as I filled out the application I was signing away the Sundays I had set apart for the Lord.  For almost an hour all I could do was cry until my head was throbbing.

            The next day my sister and I had an interview. I asked about getting Sundays off. The assistant manager said she “would let me know.” But she didn’t. Almost a year passed by when I went to the owner with my situation. She told me, “I can’t give one person a day off; it wouldn’t be fair to others.” I remained at Honeys because I had financial obligations and shared a car with my sister. I felt trapped and longed for the day when my heart would be relieved.

That day came two years later when we got another car for college. My mind was set and I knew what I was going put in applications to places that wouldn’t make me work on Sundays.

            The problem was I had to tell my mom. I wanted her approval. She reluctantly approved but was adamant about changing my mind. Work was the only time I got to see my mom at the time because she was currently looking for a house so I was living at my dad’s. At this point instead of feeling relieved I felt like I was trapped tighter. I love my mom so much and I didn’t want her upset, but I knew I had to please the Lord.

            I put in applications at Chick-Fil-A and Hamrick’s; then I went to Honeys to tell the owner I was looking for a different job. When I left, I remember crying and felt I had been squashed like a tomato.

            For two years everyone in my church prayed that my sister and I would get a job that allowed us to have Sundays off. A month after I put in an application that prayer was answered. I had an interview at Chick-Fil-A and got the job. I was happy and scared at the same time. I went to work to put in my two weeks’ notice. While I waited, my mom and I sat outside and talked. She tried her hardest to make me stay. She wasn’t mean about it, just sad she had to let one of her children go. She left crying while I remained on the bench. I continued to the office and put in my two week notice.

            Afterwards I was glad my mom was somewhat supportive, but watched as she had to let me go. I have learned to never leave my mom worried about my location and sometimes I have to do what I know is right for the Lord even though it would hurt a little.