places i can't get a part-time job at

So...

I had a second interview today at Old Navy.

Hmm... how did I end up here?

First of all, I haven't shared this yet but I've been asked to serve as a teaching pastor at a church I used to be full-time at a few years ago. I've spoken there a couple of times, but I officially start next week. Since that's only a Sunday and Tuesday commitment (plus study time, of course), that left the rest of my week open. While I have some Master's Class stuff and a book I'm sort of working on (actually, more like 3 books at once), I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe I should explore some part-time work.

Check out this journey:

1) A couple months ago I thought it might be fun to work at Best Buy. After I visited their store, though, I found out you have to apply on-line. No problem... except it's like a 45 minute process that includes several personality profile tests. Some of the questions are like "Have you ever thought about taking something from a place you worked at - whether you did or not?" Of course I have! Who hasn't? This is called temptation. Now, I know I was supposed to say "no" but I said "yes" to be honest. There were other questions, too, like "If you had an issue with someone you worked with would you bring it up and potentially cause tension or would you leave it alone?" Um, well... I have to confess that I would go through the chaos to get to a healthy place relationally. Again, I know I'm supposed to say I'd shut my big yapper, but I have this thing about reconciliation that I picked up from Someone...

So I didn't get the job.

2) I applied to Target and had a great interview to be one of their salespeople. Again, I would have used all of my people skills (developed from working with several irate parents and students in youth ministry over the years) as well as my previous retail experience (I worked my way through a mall during high school and also was an assistant manager for a large music chain) to help the company. However, in the two person interview process I got to the end of the first one and was asked, "By the way - do you have a problem asking customers to sign up for our Target credit card?" Um... yeah. You know, with the whole consumer debt issue being what it is in our country, I had a problem. The gal was respectful, but then sent in "Jimmy" (his name actually wasn't Jimmy, but he seemed like a guy named Jimmy who worked as a tough guy for the mob would seem - you know, the one who beats you up a bit so they other big dogs don't have to). Jimmy started out with, "So I hear you have a problem pushing credit cards?" Yeah, Jimmy... I do. "Well, I know how you feel... I feel the same way but I just choose to ignore my personal feelings about it." I was silent and just smiled. "You're not changing your mind on this, are you?" No, Jimmy... I couldn't do that. "Okay... well I suppose if we need some third shift help doing stock we'll give you a call."

So I didn't get the job.

3) Family Christian Stores was hiring, too. What a perfect job! I know all of their products... except for Christian women's romance novels (yes - there is such a thing) and Southern Gospel music. Since I wanted to honor Sunday as a Sabbath, though, I put down that I was unavailable. I've heard this is often a make-it-or-break-it issue with them since they recently started being open on Sundays for a portion of the day.

So I didn't get the job.

4) A Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop was hiring here in town, too. As far as I know there isn't a Ben & Jerry's credit card, so I figured I was golden like a waffle cone. Then I walked in and saw the coffee bar full of cappucinos and frappucinos and slappy-white-chinos... in any event, I was discouraged since I think the coffee addiction in our society is another issue that is often excused and joked about. But nevermind that... it was a great interview and the fact that I have experience working with students was ideal for the role of shift leader. Unfortunately, when asked if I would leave if a church offered me a full-time role I had to confess that I would. I could have lied about it... but then again, I couldn't.

So I didn't get the job.

5) Back to Old Navy. Everyone I've spoken with (four different managers) mentioned how the Old Navy credit card needs to be offered to customers. When asked if I would have a problem with that, well... this time I was smart... this time I said, "Yeah, actually, I do have a problem with that. But it's beyond a personal opinion... it's a religious position I hold. Does Old Navy as a company have a problem with that?"

The told me I'd hear back via postcard.

I wonder if I'll get the job.

The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." (Daniel 1:7-13)