Where Love Remains

On a bleak February morning, Luke DeVries sat at the desk in his corner office at an international telecommunications company in south Denver. The company had merged about eight months earlier with a European firm, and, subsequently, there had been several personnel changes company-wide during that time. He kept thinking, Why is my boss flying in from Wisconsin today? What else is going to happen at this branch? Two hours later, Luke’s direct supervisor, Tom Johnston, sat nervously in front of him. “I don’t know how to tell you this, man, other than to get straight to the point,” Tom began. “You know the company has undergone a lot of changes over the past several months. Now top management sees the need to thin out all the branches and lay off all middle management. Sorry, man, but we need to let you go, effective immediately.” Tom’s tone was very matter-of-fact, but his eyes were dark with fear and trepidation. Luke’s face showed disbelief and panic. “Tom, you can’t be serious! I put in thirty years with this company! Isn’t this age discrimination?” “I know it looks that way,” Tom said. “But here’s a list of personnel affected by this layoff, and there are managers of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Corporate wanted to make it as equitable as possible.” “Equitable?” Luke stood up and paced around his office. “This isn’t fair at all. I’ve given most of my adult life and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears for this company, and you’re going to take all that away?” Luke snatched the list from Tom’s hand, grabbed his coat, and started to leave. Tom handed Luke another piece of paper. “Here’s the direct number to human resources so they can assist you with all the exit details. Also, feel free to call me anytime if you just need to vent, Luke.” Luke stormed out of the office and practically ran to his car. Opening the door to his metallic black BMW sedan, he slumped into the driver’s seat and dialed his wife’s cell phone number. “Rachel,” he said, his voice cracking. “I have bad news. The company let me go.” “What?” Rachel shouted. “Permanently? Or is this a temporary thing? Where are you now?” “I’m in my car, and it’s permanent. I’m going to drive around for a little while, and then I’ll come home.” He was trying to hold back the sobs he felt welling up in his throat. “OK, hon. I’ll see you soon.” How are we going to make it? Luke thought. We have a mortgage and two car payments. Who else is going to hire me at my age? What are we going to do? He continued to drive aimlessly, still in shock, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Rachel dropped to the floor in her kitchen and cried out to God, saying, “Lord, I don’t understand this! Luke doesn’t deserve this—he has worked very hard and has been faithful to his job for many years! We have served You faithfully at church and helped our family during the thirty-four years we have been married. This can’t be how it ends!” She sobbed and sobbed for a long time and then prayed, “Lord, You have always protected and taken care of us in the past. I know we need to trust You to get us through the days ahead. Your love and grace will see us through.” When Luke got home, the two embraced and wept in each other’s arms until Rachel looked into Luke’s piercing blue eyes. Tears ran down into his dark brown mustache and beard as he tousled his sandy-blond hair. Softly, she spoke words of encouragement to him. He suddenly backed up, sank into the family room sofa, and shouted, “I don’t understand how God could do this to me! What did I do wrong? He’s supposed to be our loving, caring Father, and I feel like He’s deserted me. This is what He allows to happen when I’m only about ten years away from retirement? I’m sorry, Rachel, but I don’t think I can trust Him anymore.” Rachel had a sudden realization that the journey ahead was probably going to be long and arduous. She would need to be the one to step up and take the lead in seeking the Lord for guidance and direction for their careers and for the deep and abiding love she and Luke would need to keep their marriage together.