Friday, November 15, 2013

The Good, the Bad and the Blessings

So the bad news...

Hubby got laid off.

I know...

Right!!!!

The good news...

Here we grow again!

No, not the size of the family...

I know that's what you were thinking!

*grin*

Growing in a way that will make us stronger.

Growing our trust in Him.

Growing our dependance on Him.

Growing our faith!

Not to say, there have not been moments since last week that I haven't thought...

Really Lord??

Again??

Now??

Why??

I mean it's not like we just brought two special needs little girls home from China, going from 5 to 7 kiddos and oh yeah, Christmas is right around the corner!

40 days to be exact!

Yikes!

Really??

Again??

Now??

Why??

I just have to trust that He knows "why" and that He will use this to grow us and strengthen us and secure our feet on His path!

He has already started blessing us in ways that make me excited for the road ahead.

Yep, excited.

I know that sounds funny cause well, you know, the whole "no job" thing but I tell ya, watching Him work is just - yep - exciting!

He showed me this a few days after Hubby was laid off.

Just 2 or 3 days after we got the news...

this was my devotional for the day...


Um, ok, Lord, I don't feel abundantly blessed right now...

it sure doesn't feel like a time of ease and refreshment or lush meadows and I was almost offended (I never learn) that He would choose to show me that particular devotional - until...

until I read the scriptures at the bottom.

Notice Psalm 23

I know this is a very famous Psalm but it was particularly significant for me that morning because just the night before, my sweet Emmeline asked if she could pick out and read a passage from her Bible and guess which passage it was???

You got it!

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
 
Even though things look difficult, oh so difficult and our path is rocky right now..
 
I will not fear.
 
I know You are with us.
 
You are comforting us and I have no doubt that You are preparing and working for us right now and I get how blessed we are...
 
not in the way the world understands blessings but blessed none the less. 
 
And the biggest blessing of all...
 
Hubby is finally HOME!
 
 
After a very looooong year of Hubby working all week, every week in a neighboring state...
 
He is HOME!

Thank you Lord for constantly knocking me upside the head reminding me how blessed we are!

16 comments:

  1. Oh Annie! I'm thankful your family is reunited! Praying that God provides abundantly during the job hunt.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hugs and prayers... You are loved!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you dear Rebecca! How is your sweet family?

      Delete
  3. This post just makes me cry....not tears of sadness, tears of "Wow, Lord! You are amazing!"....love that devotional, love how your daughter chose to read Psalm 23!!! Love that your hubby is home.....Love how the Lord blesses us (YOU) and you are able to see these blessings. LOVE how the Lord is working in your lives.

    Praying mightily for you, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. There is only about 100 things I can say right now, but I think I needn't say a single one. You know to trust, to receive, to rest, to love, to wait. You are in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Annie, I have been there, more than once. Write down the things our Father does and what He speaks to you during this season. It will be amazing.

    "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
    even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
    even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
    YET I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
    ~ Habakkuk 3:17-18

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sending you all my prayers and positive vibes for the job hunt. Having faith that everything will work out for the best very soon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Annie! I haven't been on in a long time which is why you haven't heard from me, but I think of you and your sweet family often. Prayers going up for y'all. I'm about to give a long overdue update on Chelsea (Marlaina) too. I thought you might like to see her. :-) Love you! Laura

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi dear Laura!!!! I would SO love to see beautiful Chelsea and hear all about how she is doing!! I think about you all often as well and thank you SO much for your prayers!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so sorry, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this hard time. We went through that last year, just after bringing our 12 month old home from China in March. My husband lost his Dad and about a week later, got laid off. Things always seem to happen in 3's around here. I pray your husband finds a job, it's not easy anymore and it's scary. But GOD is watching over you and he will provide like he always does. God Bless! Sherri

    ReplyDelete
  10. Praying for your family! When God closes one door he opens another.

    ReplyDelete