by Deborah Gallagher
Where do I start?
This isn’t where I imagined I’d be 10 years ago or two years ago, or even six months ago! Yet here I am. Answering phones, calling clients, navigating new technology, learning new skills.
The journey that led me here, started with disappointment and discouragement. After 25 years of working from home, raising and homeschooling my children, the “perfect” job became available in my community and I applied for it. I really wasn’t looking for work – I’ve taught piano lessons from home for 30 years, but this job was one I had done in the past working for a charitable community organization. My skill set fit the criteria perfectly.
I didn’t even get an interview.
My self-esteem took a bit of a nosedive after that – I talked a lot with God about who I am and where I place my value. It may have been misplaced a little….I am a musician, a teacher, a creator, a performer. I am also a mom and wife, and homeschool teacher and volunteer. At the core, I am really a Jesus-follower who is in awe of what God does in my life each and every day. And I knew that He must have something more for me. As is usually the case, when it’s unusual circumstances, God’s fingerprints are all over it!
If I’ve got the timeline correct, that was just about the time Dave and Reb, who are close family friends, decided they needed someone to help out with administrative duties at More Than Enough. I knew about it because I’m part of the prayer team for More Than Enough. But it never really crossed my mind – I wasn’t really looking for a job.
“I think I’m supposed to help you for tax season,” is what I remember telling Rebecca one night in late November. That’s all it took. An interview with David and we were good to go, with three days a week starting in the new year. There was a lot of prayer after that! Fear and doubt were constant companions for the next month. But I was certain about what God was asking me to do – I didn’t know what it was going to look like, but God was placing me there, for such a time as this.
News from China
Only a few weeks into my job, friends in China started letting us know about the restrictions they were facing due to the coronavirus. Always faithful, God was allowing me to see what could happen on lock-down. It wasn’t long before COVID-19 restrictions came into play in Canada.
Working side by side Dave and Reb, I could see their needs. In the few weeks on the job, I was reminded that the very first Deborah mentioned in the Bible (not the judge – there is another one) was Rebekah’s nurse. She travelled with Rebekah when, as a young woman, she went to a foreign country to marry Isaac. She worked alongside Rebekah, remaining with her until her death. (Genesis 24:59, 35:8) And with schools closing and Reb needing to homeschool eight-year-old Serena, I felt again the nudge to offer to help full-time.
So here I sit. Now, the newly named MTE Covid-19 Information Specialist. (That was Dave’s idea:))
Front-line financial work
My days are full – when not doing the regular administrative part of my job, I’m searching the internet for information on incentives being offered by governments and global business. I’m hearing stories from people who are struggling. The questions are fierce, especially for small businesses, the self-employed, entrepreneurs, students, farmers and part-time employees.
I have come to understand this is front-line financial work, as Canadian individuals and families navigate uncertainty, unemployment, and a future without a roadmap. In all of this, my aim is to answer questions with wisdom, and infuse hope into anyone who calls.
I realize that we are inundated with information these days, sometimes with very little clarity. But here is my short list of things that may help to relieve some of the financial stress from COVID-19.
1. Apply for CERB – easy to do. If you are already registered with CRA MyAccount, money is deposited quickly- from a few hours to up to five days – otherwise you will have to wait for a cheque which may take up to 10 days. Remember, however, that it is taxable and you may be audited to ensure that your application is compliant with their rules.
2. Contact your bank – Many of the banks (especially Big 6 – Scotia, RBC, TD, BoM, CIBC and National) already have programs in place to help with deferral payments on mortgages, credit cards, installment loans and auto loans. Some are waiving certain fees like stop-payment and ATM fees. However, they vary on what they are doing and how they are doing it. Search your bank website – they’ve all got links and information for you there.
3. Contact your services – Hydro, water, gas, telephone (including cell), cable – none of them want to disconnect you – and they are willing to assist you, but you need to contact them to request deferrals. Here are some links (* Please Note: NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST – your provider may not be listed here*):
hydro: www..hydroone.com
gas: www.enbridgegas.com/covid-19
cell phone providers: www.whistleout.ca/CellPhones/Guides/covid-19-mobile-carrier-response
4. And pray. There’s always someone around at More Than Enough who is willing to pray with you. I think it may even be a criteria for hiring 😉
May this be a season of renewing and refreshing for all of us.