On Valentine’s Day, Jason joined the ranks of over 200,000 probationary federal employees being laid off.

We are devasted. Jason really, really liked his job. Learning a new job, with new people and new protocols these past eight, grief-filled months has been such an awful slog and yet, he got up every day and went in. Doing the work. Now it feels like it was all such a waste.

It is difficult to reconcile that this is what our community’s majority chose – our countrymen, neighbors, friends and family. And many people are applauding what is happening. It makes the command to love our neighbors really hit home, and challenges us in a whole new way.

We are comforted by the fact that we are not alone. We are now joined together with 200,000+ American households affected by these lay-offs and also with the voices of millions of poor and sick worldwide who have had their crucial aid stripped away.

In the midst of this loss and hurt, we know we are fortunate and blessed. We have not lost our home in a fire, we are together, we are all relatively healthy, and Jason & I both have educations which will allow us to obtain other employment. But … all those blessings don’t mean that this isn’t really hard. We are shocked and reeling.

We are convicted and also comforted by Paul’s words in Romans–

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other … Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other.” Romans 12:9-16