Hi everyone,
I found out last night that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I, along with almost all of my colleagues, will be placed on indefinite furlough from my job (unemployment with intent to return) at Sight & Sound, effective March 29th. Unfortunately, there is no work from home option for a performer (LOL) and no significant way for a performing arts company to generate income to pay its employees while the doors are closed. I am grateful that I will be paid through the end of the month, considering I have not worked since March 13th.
I love my job, the company I work for, my colleagues, and the leaders whose hearts are broken having to make this decision. I could see it in their eyes as they delivered the news. They had spent the last week crying out to God for answers, as have many of us in these uncertain times.
I also know that PA did not allow me to collect unemployment during my furlough in January because I was self-employed within 18 months of my filing date. I am not sure whether or not an exception will be made this time around considering the dire circumstances in which many of us find ourselves. My heart also goes out to many of my colleagues in the real estate industry. Real estate transactions have been left in limbo as a result of social distancing mandates, and since all realtors are self-employed, I doubt they can collect unemployment. So what does an #ActingRealtor do when not acting or realtor…ing?
We’ll find out together, won’t we?
Maybe I’ll finally get around to publishing that book on Amazon I have been working on for years, I’ll definitely live-stream a few concerts, anything I can do to stay busy.
Like so many of you, I have no idea what the future holds, but I know that God gives us grace and peace when we need it most, rarely before but always in the moment. He has proven Himself faithful time and time again in my life and today is no different. I feel a sense of peace and calm that passes understanding in light of everything going on around us. When everything in our lives seems to be unraveling, we have no choice but to hold on tightly to the One who holds all things together.
“He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 ESV
“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us…” 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 NIV