Tuesday, May 1, 2007

A Greater Purpose

"Glenn" posted a comment on yesterday's blog that has led me to today's topic. He congratulated me for being named the Associated Press' Best Weathercaster for 2006. This is the third straight year I have won this category. If you are doing the math, that means since WLBT named me Chief Meteorologist I have won the award. But it didn't come easy.

As many of you know, I used to work at WAPT. I loved doing the weather in the mornings with Rick Whitlow and Tiffany Tyler. They both quickly became my friends and still are to this day. However, I experienced things there that went against my own personal convictions. After working there for two years, one night God woke me up and told me to leave. I questioned Him alot and didn't understand His plan; after all, I had no other job to go to. After much prayer and discussion with my husband, I resigned. That's when WLBT came calling. In order to prevent me from going to work at WLBT, WAPT sued me and took me to court (more details on my spiritual revelations during this time in my book which is still being written). Through the legal wranglings, I slipped into a deep depression, confused as to how people could be so cruel in going to the newspapers with false information. I forced myself to forgive, move on and look ahead at where I believed God would place me...at WLBT.

I studied the life of Joseph and his quarrels with his brothers, his imprisonment and his ultimate rise to leadership in Egypt. After his brothers realized who Joseph is, he tells them in Genesis 50:20 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done."

So I am grateful for the awards, but more importantly, I'm thankful God had a greater good in mind for my life. I know He has one for you, too.

4 comments:

April said...

You are a very brave woman. I don't think I could have handled what you went through. I wouldn't have been that patient. Like I said, you're brave.

So many people that are involved in my life are negative. I have nice ones that are there but there are some that I just wanna strangle. It's almost like they make me mad and upset me just to see the little vein in my head pop out. I've never been in a situation like yours being sued. I know how stressful and upsetting that must have been for you. I never knew that about you. I'm looking forward to your book and reading it but I can't believe WAPT would sink that low.

I admire your strength and your bravery to get through this. You are a great person and I look up to you. You're truly my mentor.

Freddie Harrison said...

I can't wait to read you book! Do you have an idea as to when it may be published?

My number one excitement to read it is not only a more in depth story of you and your life but the situation with you and WAPT. I just can't understand how a person(s) can go so low to do something lie that. Just look at it like this, (and it may be true, but I don't know the whole story) WAPT didn't want you to go to WLBT because they would loose a TRUE talent. They wouldn't know what to do with their selves!!!

Just remember you have so many viewers that look up to you and "April" and I are one of them!

Tommy, Suzanne, and Mary Peyton said...

wow. what a great testimony that those trials gave you!!!

you are an incredible woman with a heart to touch others.

and congrats on the award! much deserved.

Barbie Bassett said...

Freddie, my book is about half way finished. We hope to have it ready in late '08. It won't 'dis' WAPT. I don't want to give that impression. However, it will share some of the spiritual trials I went through during this time and how the Lord got me through it.