Funny how God works sometimes… A few weeks ago, I received an email from a stranger named Mary Aucoin Kaarto, a warm-hearted Christian author wondering if I’d be interested in featuring her book on my blog. The title of her book? HELP for the LAID OFF.  What makes this funny? Unbeknownst to her, my husband was in the thick of his search for a new job. While not exactly laid-off (yet), it was close enough that Mary’s advice and godly perspective felt very relevant. And so, yes, I was very pleased to offer her a spot on my blog.

Mary, welcome. Tell us a bit about yourself—you and your family.

Who am I? A native Houstonian, happily married to a terrific guy after learning to be a contented Christian single for nearly 20 years. I am also a proud mom and “Nammi” to the world’s sweetest, smartest, cutest (stop, Mary!) grandchildren.

What’s the story of how this book came to be?

In 1992, as a newly single mom, I was laid off from my secretarial job, unexpectedly. I’ll never forget how frightened I was. All I could think was “How am I going to take care of my daughter?” God got – and has held – my attention, ever since. I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior as a result of this first layoff.

During this time, God provided for my daughter and I in miraculous ways. Every time He met a need, I remember saying to my daughter, “Emilie, look! God has done this! He really is – real!”

Two years later, God blessed me with my first full-time editorial position. Eight years later, I heard those familiar words: “Down-sizing, laid off, very sorry, pack your desk.” Imagine the surprised look on my boss’s face when I answered, “Oh, that’s OK, this just means God has something better for me to do!” Unlike before, I wasn’t upset in the least, even though I had no clue what He was up to.

Three weeks later, on Emilie’s birthday, I fell 16 feet out of a tree in my backyard while trying to prune it myself. I broke my leg, injured my knee, etc.

The following week, OK, now I’ve sort of lost my groove, and I’m crying out to God in prayer. “Are You kidding me? Why have You allowed me to get laid off again? And, why have You allowed me to have this accident, which has me housebound and in a world of pain?”

And immediately I heard: “I want you to write a book about trusting Me during a layoff.”

What’s your best advice for writers?

My advice to writers is to just do it. Write, for the joy and emotional release it brings you. Write, even if no one else ever reads a word. Write, because you are a writer. Write first, edit later.

What is the greatest takeaway you would like your readers to have?

I tell everyone who will listen, or read my HELP for the LAID OFF Facebook blog, the same things:

1. Being laid off can be – and often is – one of the best life experiences they may ever have, it all depends on their response (to God) in and through it.
2. God is no respecter of persons; He loves all of us, equally and unconditionally. You can trust Him, always.
3. You will never go wrong by praying and immediately obeying God.
4. As our Divine Employer, Who better to turn to, trust, believe and follow, than the God of this universe, your Father and your Creator? He knows exactly who He’s created you to be, He knows exactly what skills and abilities He has blessed you with, and He knows exactly how to get you from ‘here’ to ‘there.’

What’s next for you?

God-willing, He will continue to grow this ministry He’s given me. I want – so much – to reach as many hurting people as possible. My audience is unemployed; every penny is critical. I know what that is like. As much as they’d like to buy and read a copy of HELP for the LAID OFF, most are unable to afford it. And that’s OK. That’s why I began offering free devotionals on Facebook. What a joy and privilege it is!  There are also one, if not two, books I’ve got in my heart to write.

Mary welcomes the chance to interact online at her website and Facebook page. You may also purchase HELP for the LAID OFF for yourself or a loved-one here.