A Grateful Heart: Week 9

My life is still a little crazy. After over a month, I finally received my last paycheck from the lost full time job... And much to my dismay, it was declined when I tried to deposit it in the bank. So there were tears and lots of trying to get in touch with anyone that could help me. I had to make an hour long drive to talk in person with someone that might help, and on the drive I found a lovely sewing table and old Singer 237, much like the one pictured above. (I should take a picture and share minetoo....). And when I got home, I plugged it in and it still works. It was just sitting in someone's garbage pile. (Yep, I totally picked this out of the garbage on the side of the road for free. And. I. love. it.


So I spent some time playing around with it last night and learning how to use it. It is nice to have a machine again while mine is very deep in the storage area for the  next few weeks. :)

I also want to share two verses that were sent my way. As everything continues to go wrong here, I was very encouraged by God's words:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people."     Genesis 50:20

"We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!"

Numbers I 1:5-6

(This second verse was the Israelites complaining, but what they don't mention in that list of yummy food is that at the time they were also slaves. God provided them with a miracle, freeing them and providing some sort of food as they wandered the desert and they were pretty much forgetting that little fact. Sometimes I think God might be freeing me, and I might be wandering the desert right now. I need to remember to thank Him for everything! He will provide!!! He is working miracles.)

Testing of the Faith

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Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.         

                                                                                                             James 1:2 - 3

I was trying to decide exactly what to write about today for my thankful/grateful post. And as I am thankful for so many things, it is the stresses that keep coming to mind today.

Have you heard the saying, "when it rains, it pours?" Well, it has been pouring hard here. Since losing my full time job last week, I found that they sent my very last paycheck to the wrong address and cannot seem to figure out where it is now (and there are not even that many people that want to answer my phone call looking for help) and my husband became stranded in another state with our now broken pick-up truck. Three people have already tried to work on it and can't seem to figure out what is wrong.

So I have spent time in prayer and wondering why this is all happening at the same time. We seem to go through these times quite often. People have commented to us that they are always surprised at how many things will go wrong for us. I even had a man on the phone commending my husband and I for sticking together over the years and not letting some of our bad luck or situations drive us to divorce. And as I turned to the Bible for help, I was led to this verse (above) from James. I really think that we are building our faith. We are trying to keep looking for the joy. And really, in the end, there is a lot of joy to be seen. My husband could have broken down in the middle of no where, where we didn't know anyone. But instead, we had friends an hour away, it didn't break down on a highway and cause an accident, my husband had his backpack with extra clothing.
The truck might not be able to be fixed and the hubby is stranded right now, but he is only 5 hours away and I can go get him if needed. He is with good people. It could be a lot worse.

Whenever something happens, no matter how horrible it seems, it always happens in the best of circumstances possible. I remember when my husband lost his job about 4 years ago. I thought it was going to be a mess. I thought it was the worst thing that could happen at the time. And then it turned out the best. He became a beekeeper after losing that job. And bee keeping brings him joy and peace. Bee keeping seems to be his calling. So if he had not lost his job, we would have never been looking for a new one and he would have never became a beekeeper. I am hoping that maybe I will find my true calling now too, since my job is out of the way.

So at this point, I am choosing to count it all as joy. Who knows what is in store next for our family. My faith will only grow stronger and I will patiently wait to find out what is next and what new adventures we are to follow.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8 : 28

Worry, Stress and His Word

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.- Corrie Ten Boom

It seems that life has thrown me some recent curve balls, like it often does. And I will be the first to admit that I worry and stress way too much. And then I came across this quote that said something about worrying being the sin that Christians commit the most. Which got me thinking about how I really do need to be putting my trust in God. I am really really really far from perfect, and I have a tough time trusting and not worrying. And it is quite possibly the silliest thing I could do. Yes, life has been hard. Yes, sometimes times are difficult. And yes, sometimes things do not end the way I planned or without heartbreak, but I have always made it through and I will make it through this too.

Knowing that so many others are stressed and worrying, I wanted to share some of the versus that are helping me to keep going.



Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:34

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

 

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

 

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

 

Psalm 55:22

 

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