My husband was laid off on Thursday. His work was no longer needed by the company. That was it. No severance, no two weeks notice, just work through this Wednesday the end of the pay period and good bye.
Now mind you on that particular day I was in the throes of preparing and finalizing details for a retreat I had been asked to lead on Saturday. So at that time, my response was “Really?!? What a timely distraction from where my mind and heart need to be! It’s obvious God wants to do a great work on Saturday!” I didn’t melt into a puddle of tears, I asked my prayer warrior friends to jump in and I simply trusted God. I didn’t start to worry about what and how and where and why. Not then.
Today however is a new day and the temptation to worry that is common to us all was present again. I found myself swift to my to do list; taking control of the things I knew needed doing that I had in my power to do. Three hours into my day, after neglecting my regular habit of entering into the day slowly by having coffee with Jesus, I stopped midstream and sat down and cried. I cried out my worry, my fear of the unknown, all the pent up hurts from sudden and uncontrolled change in my life to date. And just as suddenly as the flood came on, it receded. I picked up my devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, and read today’s entry:
“Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain. Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from My children that I desire the most. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me. Waiting for Me to work, with your eyes on Me, is evidence that you really do trust Me.”
This was a love gift; a tangible reminder of love and provision even when I don’t see HOW. or WHERE. or WHAT. or I don’t know WHY.
GOD, the Maker of the heavens and earth and all created things, KNOWS. He CARES. He reminded me of this picture that I took at Christmas of 2008. It was the first Christmas without both my Mom and Dad. I saw this sign as just that; a sign to remind me that living in the past was just as it reads: Dead End.
In the same way, when I go down the path of thinking about what if? or how will? or why? it’s the same Dead End. The knowing belongs to the One who is Omniscient (All Knowing). What belongs to me is to Trust. Thank you Sarah Young for your writing such a great devotional book. Thank you Lord for Your perfect timing of this gift of words to remind me, and hopefully you as you have read this, that GOD is STILL in CONTROL!
I don’t know details, but I know the One who does! How about you? Where do you put your trust? If you’re in a place of unknowing I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me. We can be in this together!
Hey Lisa~ my heart and prayers are with you. From one who has been in that place of unknowing more often than I care to admit. Know that better things lie ahead…either in this life or after and that there is always hope in Christ. Let me know if you’d like some “equine” therapy sometime!
Beautifully written, Lisa. Jeremiah 29:11. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we know God’s plans are good and when one door closes, another one opens.
Kay
Continued prayers as His plan unfolds before you. Love you, girl.
Oh, Lisa. I’m sorry. Not news anyone wants to receive. But… Now he’ll be home more? (Always looking on the bright side!) Praying for you, Sista. Maybe a Starbucks therapy session is in order… for ME more than for you!
If that ain’t transparency, I don’t know what is. Love you honey. Sorry I wasn’t there with you today.
Lisa,
I love Sarah Young and read that same entry today! God is good to comfort us when we need it. You are a gift from God. Dave and I were just talking about you the other night….remembering how we first met and all God has brought you through. He was faithful then and he will be faithful now. We will be praying for your family during this time. I can’t wait to hear about all the miracles along the way. I love you my friend!
Kathy
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing this. Yes, the Lord is in control and has a Master plan. May the Lord give you both peace and joy as you wait and trust the Master. I am so happy to reciprocate for all those prayers for me and Liz back when we were looking for jobs, waiting and trusting. God bless you both. We miss seeing you guys.
Hey Lisa- my husband was laid off a couple years ago and went without work for 9 months. While it was very hard for him, I loved it, because he was home more to help out with the three kids, biked two of them to and from school every day, and was just there to spend that special time with them. Eventually, he found a great job with a great company. I know Colin will easily find something else, even in these uncertain times. Know that my prayers are with you and the family. How bout a trip out to Florida?!
Lisa,
The True Reality is God’s certainty and His promises to us, not so much that Colin will get a new and better job (which will probably happen, anyway), but that HE will be with you, whatever happens. I believe He is with you in your tears and fears. Thanks for sharing. You’ll be in my prayers.
Lisa,
I appreciate your true, raw emotion. My prayer for our husbands is that the Holy Spirit surround them with hope and peace and that His plan will prevail. His promises are true! In the meantime I know that I need to stay connected to a community group of believers.
Lisa, may you be given wisdom and revelation to know God more even as you experience the JOY of TRUSTING… and then pass it on to others along the way. God bless you!
Hey Lisa~
Wow, this is so hard, and so relevant to what we are going through right now also. In a bible study with friends we talk about how those who were healed by Jesus, REALLY had no doubt that he could cure them and how in today’s world, do we really believe that he will provide for and heal us? This has been a challenging time and I’m choosing to look at it positively, as in this is an opportunity to really walk the walk and not just talk the talk about trusting in the Lord. Our prayers are with you in this uncertain time~ thank you for sharing and for the great passage from your devotional!
Hugs~
Lisa
Dear Lisa, I pray that soon this chapter will end on a happier note. If anyone can see it through, it’s you and Colin. Big events are about to happen this summer and having your husband closer to home to share these special moments with you will be the bright side. Keep the faith you have so deeply in your heart.
Gloria
Just read this today. I’m PRAYING for you, for COLIN and for GOD’s will to open a door in His perfect timing. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open in such your hard time! JESUS will honor your openness with His GRACE, MERCY, and COMPASSION! PTL for a “Merciful and faithful” Savoir who can understand us completely because HE also suffered [Hebrews 2:16-17]! <<