This is going to be long, but this is my life summed up over the past couple of months.
First of all I want to warn you not to read this blog without completing it! This all started back in the second week of November. I had been working for a local police department ( I can't state who or exactly what happened due to privacy issues, so, I'll do my best) for almost one and a half year.
One day I was called into my Sergeants office ( I thought I was possibly getting promoted) and asked several questions about an inmate that had been in the jail a couple of weeks prior. So, I answered all of his questions with quick and truthful answers, never once showing any type of disrespect. Towards the end of the meeting I was told the situation that I was asked about was under "serious investigation." I was to concerned, more nervous about being called into his office more than anything. Well, the next day I was called back into his office and found out the investigation now included me and false accusations were placed against me. Once again I was a little worried, but not seriously worried, because a supervisor was there and saw that everything was done correctly and professionally.
A couple of weeks past by and I still had not heard a thing from anyone at work about the investigation. I thought that maybe their investigation had ceased due to the fact I had done anything wrong, boy was I wrong! The week before my wedding I was called back into the office and was told that soon the investigation would be coming to an end soon. (Keep in mind that during all of this I was still working 60-90 hour work weeks, sometimes more.) The Monday before our wedding I was called into the office and told to be in the Lieutenant's office Tuesday afternoon (my day off and day of preparing for the wedding). Then I knew something was up, I just didn't no what. That Tuesday I walked into the Lieutenant's office, there sat the Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and a man from Human Resources! I was then told that I was going to be placed on "Administrative Leave" for three days and on Thursday I was to be back for a second meeting with everyone present, so, that I could give my side of the "incident". Thursday I went into the office and did exactly that. I showed the paperwork and SOP stating what was done was strictly "by the book". I then was told by the Lieutenant, "Randall I know you have a big next couple of weeks ahead of you, so, I will try to make sure we have a decision on your punishment by tomorrow since you are getting married the next day. Have a good day." So, that Friday I called my Sergeant and he told me to, "bring all of my issued items to Human Resources for a meeting at twelve-thirty." So, aside of trying to get everything completed before the rehearsal dinner and wedding, I had to go for another meeting (at this time I had a good feeling what my outcome was). As I walked in I saw my former Sergeant, Lieutenant, and the same man from Human Resources. The Lieutenant then told me that after hearing everything that had happened, he had no choice, but to "end my employment" with that city. I was then escorted back to my locker to remove my personal items and that chapter of my life was complete.
After everything that happened with my previous employer, after that meeting, there was only one thing that I had to focus on, our wedding. I knew it was going to be the biggest and best day of my life. I asked my fiancee at the time, "keep this between us and lets just focus on what is ahead and our honeymoon, we can pick up where we left off afterwards".
Saturday, November 21, 2009 we exchanged vows in Pelham, Alabama and then we were off to our honeymoon at Anna Marie Island. During the duration of the honeymoon we only went into the ocean once, laid out at the beach once, and went to the pool twice. The remainder of the time I got to spend quality time with her that I didn't even know was possible. We just sat around the condo, went to different little shops, got tattoos of each others initials on our ring finger, and drove around talking. It was by far the most fun I have ever had.
When we returned from the honeymoon reality sunk in around the third day. Reality turned out to be something completely different than what I thought it was going to be when we returned. I realized that over the previous 8-9 months I had only saw Leanna on average once every two weeks, except for me stopping by to say hey at her work for a couple of minutes. That Tuesday I realized I had set everything important in life aside for my former job. I was working on average three sixteen hour days a week and two eight hour days. I had either forgot what was important in life or I never realized the important things in life, all I knew is I missed my wife every second I spent away from her. This helped me come to the realization that maybe this was God's way of telling me to slow down! I had been in the hospital for three surgeries and one other procedure for a couple of days all in less than a year (I ended up two weeks ago having two more). I don't know if God had already tried to make me slow down with the health issues and I ignored him, I really just wasn't focused on anything but being a great employee, making money, and working every second I possibly could. That is when I realized I needed to get my priorities in line, so, I did. First, I needed to give myself back to God and become a warrior for him. Second, I needed to focus on my wife and making our marriage based on God and his word. Third, I had signed up for school in Criminal Justice and I needed to stick to it and not let what happened previously change my goal of being in the field of Criminal Justice.
By saying all of this I would like to make one thing clear. In no way did I enjoy loosing the job that I loved. It was a very hard, emotional time and I had to keep it all in for the sake of starting a family. Also, I do not hold any type of grudge against the people that were involved in my dismissal. God works in very mysterious ways SOMETIMES! Do not go around thinking that if you trust in God bad things will happen, that is the furthest thing from the truth. I am the happiest I have ever been in my personal life. Yes, I am struggling carrying the "title" husband and man being unemployed. I struggle every day to set my pride aside and trust in God and that he will provide. He continues to test my faith and loyalty to him, it is not easy to overcome the flesh and become a Godly man, but it is worth it!
Monday, I found out I am getting sued by a doctor that I had been paying off and had to stop due to lack of income. Tuesday, I was denied unemployment that I had been led to believe I would be receiving weekly. Today, I sat down and figured up monthly bills and realized that we will be lucky to break even, before we by gas or anything. With all of that I just want to say this, trust in God and he will provide for you. God will not put any obstacle in front of one of his children that they can not overcome.
In closing please take this to heart. No matter what life throws at you, if you trust in the Lord and walk beside him in everything you do, He will never fail you. I am so greatful for everything I have in life. I have the most wonderful, supportive wife in the world. I have parents who love me unconditionally and allow us to live with them during this hard time. I have a beautiful pregnant sister that is about to have a baby girl (Peyton Claire) and a brother-in-law that is the type of Godly husband that I strive to be. Also, I have a nephew (Camden) that I love like he is one of my own children and he is lucky enough to have a wonderful mother. Lastly, I have a brother that is turning his life around and maturing as a man and a father daily.
God Bless,
Randall Martin
