Who hasn't heard the saying, "when a door closes a window opens?" It's one of those infamous cliches that one uses to comfort when things go wrong. But what does one do when the door’s been slammed and the window has yet to open?
We are there.
Last Thursday my husband was laid off from his job of almost 6 years. We knew the possibility existed, we just didn't think it would be us......
Being a one-income family has caused this abrupt end to rattle us. Honestly we don't have a clue what we’ll do next. Some days we’re still in the shock stage. These are the times that try a man's soul.
Our emotions have been all over the place. The questions rise up from some place deep. Is God really good? Will He really take care of us? Do I really trust God with me, with us, with what all this will look like?
The words have been spoken repetitively. "God's got something better."
I want to believe it, I really do. But I contemplate how there could be something better than what we had? As I type the words I see how easily my focus goes to what I can see working out. I can easily equate the goodness of God with the goodness of my circumstances.
I've been around the block enough to know that the "God has something better" might not mean the most pleasant of circumstances. Can I really trust God with this unknown territory? It doesn't help that years ago we lived through the season of the jobs. Though much good came out of that time it's hard not to remember that long hard winter and wonder.
At times the battle is fierce. There are moments when the uncertainty of it all shakes me at my core. The enemy whispers his taunts hoping to discourage me. "How can this possibly work out?" "Look around you." "How in the world will you guys make it?" His voice resounds in this seen world around me. Yet Jesus' voice trumps his when I choose to trust Him with what I cannot see.
I find myself remembering the words in Hebrews, "more blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe." They take on new meaning at a time like this. If I look at what I can see there is not much hope here. I live in a small, rural, mountain town where jobs are few and far between. But isn't it in the unseen world that the unexplainables happen?
I have a favorite clip in the movie, "The Last of the Mohicans". A group of British soldiers are escorting 2 women through Indian territory to their father. Suddenly their guide turns on them in ambush. Those in the midst of the ambush have no idea of 3 Mohicans who are on the run to rescue them. Suddenly out of nowhere, they appear. The ambush is thwarted and the remaining party is saved.
The story line makes me think of life behind the scenes in my world. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are always on the move. It's not dependent on what I can see happening. It's dependent on their faithfulness to move heaven and earth to come for me, simply because I need.
I want to trust in the way of a child. They don't question whether they’ll have food or shelter. They don't wonder if they will be cared for, protected or even rescued. They rest in the care of their parents because they know their place in the family.
I want to be there, all the time, with the One who Fathers me. I want to rest in knowing my place in the heart of Love. It’s the battle my mind now faces. These inner struggles are part of the “greater things” that He does.
Darkness meets light as fears that lay hidden make their way out in the open. In their moments I am invited to wrestle with God until I believe what is already true for me. It is then He can overcome me much as He did Jacob, allowing me to find that which has always been true. I belong to One who loves me to the point of death. Nothing stood in the way of His rescue then. Nothing stands in His way now.
Selah
“Those who are historically experiencing the greatest measure of the Holy Spirit’s power are those who doggedly choose to give up control over how their life must look and instead call good whatever God has allowed, caused, withheld, delayed or denied.”
John Lynch - 2011
©copyrighted: 2011; Julie L. Todd
17 comments:
We'll be praying friend- we are going through uncertainty as well with finances and plans that we had made falling to the side for a plan that doesn't seem to make sense on paper.
Love you, and God is good all the time, even when it is hard to see on our circumstances.
You are yummy, delicious and I am sooo blessed and overjoyed to call you my friend! I finished my very first week of college today and I believe I received A's in both classes (yippee) and yesterday was an emotional roller coaster of deep proportion and yet today His mercies are new and I am breathing in and now and you are such an inspiration you have no idea!!
Thank you so very much for being real and being the blessing YOU ARE! Love, blessings and PEACE to you and your husband!
Dear Julie! I will be praying for you and David, that something better will show up sooner rather than later, and that in the mean time, God's provision will sustain you. I love the Mohicans example you give. Isn't is awesome how so many movies give representation to the Trinity? I love how God works. Praying blessings on you all. Pxo
I am sorry that your husband lost his job. My husband has been unemployed now for 2 years. God has provided some side jobs along the way, but it's still very difficult at time, raising a family of 6 on just one income. Praying God will bring provision and keep you in His perfect peace.
Dear Julie,
It's easy for me to say something that will ease the uncertainty of the days ahead of you... but it's different when I am in the one wearing your shoes. So, let me just say "I'm with you... I hear you... and I am watching to see the next chapter of your life unfold."
I know you are holding on to God.
Much love
Lidj
Praying for you friend that there will come a treasure at the end of this trial!
Julie, I don't know how to thank you for being so authentic and transparent in this journey. I always wish I knew some magic combination of words to competely ease someone's hurt, distress, fear, etc... (including my own). However, most of the time all I know to offer is a listening ear, a caring heart and an acknowledgement that you are in a good and safe place and that God will never, not ever, let us down.
Julie,
You know my story and how my husband was unemployed from Jan. 2008 until September 2010.And you also know many of the amazing ways our Father took care of us and blessed us in the storm! There are SO many "God Stories" of the ways He loved us and showed His GOODNESS during that challenging season.
Our God is not a respecter of persons. I know with all my heart that He will take care of your every need and you will come out of this uncertain time with a much deeper faith!
I'm praying for you and asking our Father to continually whisper words of love to you as you wait for Him to open the new door.
My life is a strong testament of the scripture Isaiah 40:31. My spirit is truly soaring like wings of eagles over what I have seen Jesus do in my life. He will do the same for you!
My prayer: Jesus, do Your thing in Julie's life. Show the world Your goodness in the midst of what seems impossible. Grant peace to her and David. And use their lives to display Your glory. Amen.
Love you so much!
Amy
Hello Friend! Glad to see you writing! I read this earlier this morning and then the day got super busy! Our youngest is graduating massage school tomorrow and we're having people over after. Had to clean *smile*
Anyways.....I did my reading and prayer time after I saw this and found in My Utmost for His Highest devotional something fitting that I wanted to share with you.....
Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading.It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason - a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rotted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world.
I share these words with you, as we share the same boat. I am with you dear friend. In spirit and in prayer.
Rebekah
Oops, I meant "faith is rooted"
Ha ha ha!
This is a very hard place for you to be. How easy it is to be afraid, or at least to wonder "what if"---
Thank you for your testimony of being willing to trust God with your present and your future.
Dear Lord, may this family experience the blessings that come forth from total dependence on you. Meet their every need from your rich and bountiful supply. Please send your Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen, and guide them. Thank you, God, that "the steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord." Thank you that you are leading them in every step and every way. Open many doors for them, and may they see your glory and beauty in everything. We give thanks for the power to overcome circumstances, for it's not our power, but your mighty spirit at work. In Jesus' name, I pray. AMEN.
You and David have been fervently in my prayers, sweet friend. I am sending love, and there is always an ear here if you need one.
Dear Julie,
My prayers are with you through this challenging time. My husband was once out of work 18 months, so we can sympathize. I will pray that He will bring you both through this time in joy, and that His good purpose will come through with something better!
I love your honesty as you share the feelings we all feel sometimes and as you let us peep into your heart and see the beautiful things God is showing you. Then we can be touched by God through all that you share!
I love your statement about how it's up to His faithfulness. I sometimes fall into thinking it's up to my puny faith or understanding. I am so glad to be reminded this morning that He is the One who's got to be faithful, He's the One who's got to be able to handle things, not me. That is a relief and just what I needed to hear this morning!
Love,
Sparrow
Hugs to you!
Father, I stand with Julie in thanking You that You own the cattle on a thousand hills, and that You hold her family securely in your all-encompasing hands. Their future and provisions are already planned in Your mind, and therefore done according to Your reality. I thank You for the peace that passes all understanding, and I ask that You bless them with greater and greater revelations of how to draw on and rest in that peace. And most of all, Father, I thank You for being You. For the greatness of You in us...working in us, living in us, and that You sent Jesus to be our fullness...that He fills us all in all.
((hugs)) and prayers.
I totally know where you're coming from. God *will* handle it. He will.
xxx M.
I have been away for a while and I am so sorry to hear of the trials you are going through. I will be praying for you and your family.
Julie, I've been reading the comments on this post. You have some wonderful friends who are very supportive and who hold you up in prayer. Such a blessing! We've always been a one income family while I raised my children. Now I wonder if I should have kept one foot in the job market, as my husband is dealing with a lot of illness lately. We've been so blessed, and yet it's hard knowing that while we are old, times may get hard. Still, I believe that God will never have us begging bread. He will supply our needs. Love your posts and your transparency. I don't always leave a comment, but I do check on you now and then. Blessings!!
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