Moments with Meryl
by Meryl Langley

Things had been difficult at work for some months, to say the least, with four dietitians leaving the department. I really felt it was now time for me to look for something else, too–since there was no room for any personal development, I had reached the top of my pay scale and with Joanna going to the University, finances needed a boost!!

I knew I had to be prepared to work full-time hours as opposed to the 30 hours I was currently doing. Now if I could get a job at the local college of higher education, only 10 minutes’ walk away from home, that would be the ideal solution. When things seemed just about at their worst at work, I saw a job advertised in the local paper for a secretarial post at the college! Excitedly I telephoned next day for an application form, which arrived the following day. I was so disappointed on reading it. It stressed that the role of secretary to the director of student services was a demanding job, requiring high-level secretarial/ administrative skills, and I possessed none of the qualifications it asked for. So that was that; I decided I needn’t even apply. It also mentioned that some work in evenings and at weekends was expected and that this might expand as the services developed. Intially, that put me off, too, along with the statement that qualities developed in recreational and voluntary activity may be as important as those developed through employment! ! I did no voluntary work either!!

Anyway, everyone I spoke to in the group over here, and even my hairdresser, said I should apply. I decided to take their view and so set about filling in the application form and submitting it with a letter (which applicants were encouraged to do) demonstrating my suitability for the post. To be honest, I held out no hope of being called for an interview. However, I was notified a few days later that I had been shortlisted for an inter-view!! I simply could not believe it and by now I really wanted the job.

On the interview day, I arrived at the college at 1 o’clock, along with four other candidates, for the introduction: background to the college and information about the role. A practical test was also on the programme which I was dreading. The introduction ended at 1:45 p.m. and my interview (with a panel of three) was scheduled for 3:45 p.m. Two hours to wait! ! During that time, I made quite a few faith statements: "This is awful having to wait all this time, but God is in control isn’t he? Yes, He is. So sit back and take each moment as it comes then. It’s not that there’s an independent Meryl in this situation, remember you’re the vessel and it really is Jesus Christ as you doing this. Right. You’re feeling nervous and anxious, but that’s just soul, not who you really are–Christ in Meryl form."

I actually enjoyed talking with each of the other candidates–they were all really very easy to get on with. I felt that the interview went very well; I knew I couldn’t have done any better. However, the practical test was a night-mare! ! The word processing package was completely new to me and there was a math test which I couldn’t complete. So that was that then; I was sure I didn’t even stand a chance.

I waited for two days, convinced that had I been successful, I would have heard by now. I then telephoned the personnel department to see what the decision was. I was told that the director of the department had been in meetings since the interview and had not yet got back with his decision. So, at least I was still in with a chance. I then decided I would hear when God meant me to hear.

The next day, I received a telephone call: I got the job! ! I was so relieved, I sat and cried, then I got on the `phone to Christina who had lived through all this with me, to tell her the news!! I feel very nervous about starting this job, but also very excited. I know it will provide me with many opportunities to affirm that Jesus Christ is the one who can handle the job and I am really looking forward to a new chapter in my (His) life.