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For tens of thousands of people (myself included) Arthur Andersen was the Grinch this past year. But even though I lost a job I'd had at Andersen for 14 years, that devastating experience has not completely stolen my joyThe fallout of Andersen's involvement in the Enron scandal and the current economic crisis has left me with all kinds of vexing emotions. I, too, was shocked by the unethical practices of a few greedy individuals. The harm they have caused is egregious. Sadly, many innocent and hard-working employees were punished for the misdeeds of a handful of people. But I'm also cynical about the way the media has misrepresented some of the good people I worked with.

I knew that Andersen was in trouble for months prior to the company's collapse, but I was convinced an empire that big couldn't fall. Surely one partner in Houston wasn't capable of bringing the whole thing down.

I was wrong. What began as a little landslide last January became an avalanche in a few weeks. I remember the day when I realized there was nothing to do except slide down the hill and try to land on my feet as best I could.

If you've ever been unexpectedly unemployed, you know the feeling. The loss of a business card is one thing. The loss of a regular paycheck is another. But losing what amounts to your life savings is altogether different.

I watched in disbelief as my Partner Capital investment program (that had grown impressively for years) evaporated almost overnight. At age 42, my net worth was the same as it had been 20 years earlier as I'd graduated from college.

Still the message of this season of the year is that God delights in redeeming the darkness of our lives and offering hope, peace, and joy to our world. And that's exactly what I experienced. The evening of the day it all dawned on me how much I'd lost, my wife and I were scheduled to volunteer at the local homeless shelter our church supports.

When I started dishing out a hot meal and made beds for homeless men and women—many of which were my age—I realized my plight could be much worse. It was amazing. My depression and anger began to dissipate so that by the end of my shift, I was no longer feeling sorry for myself.

In spite of job insecurity, I was healthy and strong. I had a wife and three children who loved me. I had a comfortable home I'd be able to continue owning. And because of the reputation the majority of Andersen employees have in the industry, I knew I wouldn't have trouble getting another job.

The Holy Spirit seemed to remind me that my wealth had little to do with markets or pension funds. It was in feeling loved and cared for by a heavenly Father who was in control of my life. I realized that my real estate was not in my career but my confidence in God.

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