Jesus called them to follow, and they did-Peter and James and John, those three who were close to him throughout his ministry. Surely then, the Call of God does not begin with a list of qualifications. In a moment of shattering and healing or sheer amazement, the love of God moves our hearts. The point of all this is that to catch a glimpse of the glory of God is to know our selves as human beings with a calling. Jobs come and go.
Occupations end and begin again.
Occupations are incidental to a calling. Teach that to your children. Your dignity is in your vocation, not your occupation. The calling of God is what gives our lives meaning. Ours is a life-long ministry shaped by the dimensions of our exerience of God, and the empowerment of God's love.