God's Ladies in the Workplace
God opened the door for me to meet this dear lady several years ago and as so many others, there became a quick bonding of hearts. Jackie has a special way about her, that some enjoy and others fear. It is open honesty and that makes her such a special friend, she will hold you accountable as the Bible teaches, not deliberately desiring to hurt your feelings but to sharpen you in your walk with God... I am so thankful God led me to Jackie and opened the many doors required for us to become friends. I pray she is as much of a blessing to you as she has been to me and I know she will continue to be! God bless you my friend, I love you and thank God for you!!!
In Christ
Theressa Lindsey
My Friend Mrs. Jackie Bates
Mrs. Jackie and her wonderful husband Pastor Daniel Bates
Jackie Bates
Jackie's Testimony
My home life was very typical of a child growing up in the inner city. I am the oldest of 7 children. When I was 7 years old, some people from Emmanuel Baptist Church came by our house and invited us to ride the Sunday school bus. My mom said sure because it meant getting my siblings and me out of the house for a few hours. After attending for a few weeks, I can remember my Sunday school teacher teaching on the Rich Man and Lazarus. I can remember thinking that I didn’t want to go to Hell when I died. So after class, I asked my teacher, Mrs. Baxter about going to Heaven. She then took her Bible and showed me how to know for sure that I could go to Heaven when I died someday. While in college, God spoke to my heart and said that He wanted me to be a pastor’s wife. My reaction was “no way” because I felt very inadequate because of my childhood. But it was the people in my life from home and at college who encouraged me to do what God wanted and said that I would make a great pastor’s wife someday.
After college it was clear that I would have to work. At first, I had a difficult time finding a job. I found a job working part time in a call center through a temp agency. A few weeks after starting that job, I was told that they no longer needed my services. So, I began the job seeking process again. I said that I would never work at a fast food restaurant. Well, the only job that I could find close to home was at a fast food restaurant. So, I took the job but knew that I didn’t want to work there for a long time. While working that job, I continued to look for something full time. I went through another temp agency and found another job but again after a couple of months, I was told that the company no longer needed my services. So, I started all over again.
While searching for yet another job, I married my husband. About six months after I was married. I received a call from the temp agency saying that they found another job for me. So, I said that I would take the job. I arrived for my first day and was told that I would begin training right away. I was only at that job for two weeks when the manager came to me and asked me to help at the front window. My reply was, sure whatever you would like for me to do. After helping at the front window for about 6 weeks, the manager came again to me and told me that he wanted to hire me full time and asked if I would take the job. I told the manager that I would like to pray and discuss the position with my husband first. He said that he understood and asked that I would let him know within two weeks. After a week of praying and talking to my husband, I took the job. Now, I have been at my job for 5 years. I believe that God requires me to do my best every day at work. I work hard each day. I know that my manager sees the work that I do and knows that I work hard. There have been times over the years that I have needed to leave unexpected due to deaths in my family and have needed to take off to go home. My manager is the most understanding person that I could ask for in a workplace. He understands that “life just happens” sometimes and you can’t always plan time off. I believe that if you work hard and do what is required by your boss and do what God requires you to do, that God will bless you. Realize that your work ethic and testimony play a huge role in the workplace.
Challenge: What is your testimony like at your workplace?
After college it was clear that I would have to work. At first, I had a difficult time finding a job. I found a job working part time in a call center through a temp agency. A few weeks after starting that job, I was told that they no longer needed my services. So, I began the job seeking process again. I said that I would never work at a fast food restaurant. Well, the only job that I could find close to home was at a fast food restaurant. So, I took the job but knew that I didn’t want to work there for a long time. While working that job, I continued to look for something full time. I went through another temp agency and found another job but again after a couple of months, I was told that the company no longer needed my services. So, I started all over again.
While searching for yet another job, I married my husband. About six months after I was married. I received a call from the temp agency saying that they found another job for me. So, I said that I would take the job. I arrived for my first day and was told that I would begin training right away. I was only at that job for two weeks when the manager came to me and asked me to help at the front window. My reply was, sure whatever you would like for me to do. After helping at the front window for about 6 weeks, the manager came again to me and told me that he wanted to hire me full time and asked if I would take the job. I told the manager that I would like to pray and discuss the position with my husband first. He said that he understood and asked that I would let him know within two weeks. After a week of praying and talking to my husband, I took the job. Now, I have been at my job for 5 years. I believe that God requires me to do my best every day at work. I work hard each day. I know that my manager sees the work that I do and knows that I work hard. There have been times over the years that I have needed to leave unexpected due to deaths in my family and have needed to take off to go home. My manager is the most understanding person that I could ask for in a workplace. He understands that “life just happens” sometimes and you can’t always plan time off. I believe that if you work hard and do what is required by your boss and do what God requires you to do, that God will bless you. Realize that your work ethic and testimony play a huge role in the workplace.
Challenge: What is your testimony like at your workplace?