Wow! It's Just What I Wanted...(kinda)

Last fall, my husband did a risky thing, and sacrificed his job for integrity's sake.  There were other factors, but his integrity, which we believe cannot be bought, was chief among them.  It was hard for him to leave not only the financial security, but the friends he'd made, as well. 

I was completely on board and at peace with my husband's decision.  I knew God would take care of us.  And He has.  I was also grateful for the opportunity to pray for and over my (pre-Christian) husband during his decision process and his transition out the door.

But there IS this little thing called a double-dip recession. :-/

Would I really be able to trust God and to evidence that trust in my thoughts, words, and actions?  Only time would tell.

Checking in with myself at this point, I give myself a passing grade.  But not an A.  God gets the A+++, of course.  I achieve passing marks only because of His grace.

God provided D with another job.  In fact, he began this job only a week after the other job officially ended.  The new job is perfect, really, in all ways.  Except this:  His employer is based about 2,500 miles from home.  Which means weekly travel.  Fortunately, he can spend weekends at home...or at least two consecutive nights at home...usually. 


Teeny quantum leap:

I'm dedicating this post to the lead pastor at my church, because am so thankful for his anointed, applicable, relevant words regarding what God teaches him.  I wish they didn't convict my heart as much as they do, but alas...my sanctification process has a long way to go. Pastor S preached about being in a desert.  That's right.  Desert with ONE "s", because the Israelites surely weren't escaping from Candy Land.  In a nutshell, he spoke about how the Israelites complained every step of the way of the exodus from Egypt.  (See Exodus 15-17; Numbers 11:4-7). He noted that God used the time in the desert to prepare the hearts and minds of the Israelites for the promised land! He chose them.  He provided for all of their needs.  He led them to an amazing land of milk and honey, showing His glorious power throughout this process, employing miracle after miracle (Hello, parting of the Red Sea) to prove He could be trusted to provide for them.  And still...They kvetched and moaned.  They made a habit out of complaining.  Understandably, God saw these complaints as a slap in the face--a bold rejection of Him and His glorious, perfect, just-what-they-needed-when-they-needed-it provision. 

Before I'm too judgy of the Israelites, I need to confess that, though I praise God out of one side of my mouth, I must fight mightily against complaining out of the other side.  Forgive me, Father. 

In some ways, I feel like the 16 year old kid begged for the the shiny, new, red car to zoom about town; and got a shiny, new bicycle, instead.  When I focus on what I know, rather than my feelings, I see this:  Perhaps a bicycle is all I need.  Pushing the analogy further, God knows that I will be in better shape and perhaps more prepared for what He has in store for me if He gives me the bicycle, rather than the car.  Work is involved.  Tenacity, even.  Hills.  But there's nothing like the wind in your face and the sun on your back, as you coast down the hill on a bike. 

Our family needed a breadwinner.  God has provided our manna through my husband's job.  We don't know how this is all going to play out, or how long he'll be traveling.  Perhaps this is our desert, and God is preparing us for something he has in store...Only He knows for sure.  What I know for sure, is that it's my job to praise Him in all circumstances. 

Thank you, Jesus, for D's job.  Thank you for loving us.  Thank you, for breath today.  In Your Name I pray.  Amen.