And Blessings There Were

I must confess that this story of my life over the last six months might be a touch boring to some of you. But for my husband and I, it has been a journey, a journey of God's love for us as His children, of His protection for us, His will for our lives, and a fullfillment of His promises to us. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

So here we are, without a job, no money, we have put to bed all our contacts, and we have no idea what we are going to do. But God knows what we need.."Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" Hebrews 4:16. We did approach the throne and we tried to approach it with confidence. I have found that approaching the throne is the most important...God will give us the confidence.

It was during this period of time that others stepped in and helped us out. Family not only helped us with our bills they also supported us mentally and spiritually...asking questions but then being positive and supportive of what we were doing and thinking. My parents and sisters were concerned but postive and encouraging. And it wasn't only family. An architect, that Russell had a long working relationship with, was due a check for work he had done. He turned the check over to us as a gift...an electricial engineer that had worked on many projects with Russell also turned the payment for a job he had done over to us to help keep us on our feet. And one day as we passed by a shopping center my husband spied a friend that he had worked with on several projects. My husband pulled over into the parking lot and got out of the car to say hello. My husband's ears were greeted with words that brought new HOPE...."Hey, Russ, where in the world have you been hiding!? I've been looking all over for you. We need you."

To shorten this some, he and another past client were forming a company and going to build a multi-hotel complex with stores and restaurants. Russell had already completed the site design in November, before he was let go from his job, so he was familar with the project. After several meetings, they decided that Russell would take on the job of site manager, something on the other end of what he was used to doing but definitely challenging and could be very good for his future.

Has something happened in your life that you just knew was not a coincidence? This was one of those somethings in our life. All the pieces fit together at just the right time, with the right people, and with circumstances that we just knew were from God. Yet, we lacked confidence...but again my family was right there. We were out at a birthday lunch for a family member and Russell sat next to Dad to talk to him and I was sitting next to Mom. As the guys were deep in their discussion, Mom inquired what was going on. I shared with her and also told her my concerns. How do I know if this was really the Lord or us just wanting to get back to work. She responded with a heartful of confidence, enough for all of us. She told me that the Lord didn't part the Red Sea until the Israelites stuck their toes in the water. She told me that "Faith" is stepping out and seeing what and where the Lord leads you. She reminded me that you can't walk through a closed door but when a door opens you need to walk through it whether you stay in that room and not. And a door had definitely been opened and we decided to enter into whatever was ahead. Thank you Lord for loving, supportive parents.

Russell started work as our journey continued. There was a company that Russell really wanted to be a part of. He put in an application with them that first week that he was told he was going to be out of work. He checked back with them about every three weeks. When he was hired in this new job he even took some of the plans to this company to get a second opinion on some issues. It was his hearts desire to work for this one company yet he was willing to do what God wanted him to do. And I prayed and prayed and prayed.

Remember how I told you earlier that Russell had gotten a little restless in what he had been doing. That he was wondering if the grass was a little greener on the other side of the fence. We thought that God had brought this job to us so that Russell would have a different direction to go in..a new direction using the skills and knowledge he already had...a chance to add more diversity to his already long list of talents. Again, God used this time to show us that our knowledge is so very, very limited in relationship to His plans for us!

As the days and weeks went by, Russell became more and more frustrated. He hated what he was doing. His relationship with the two men who owned the company was in good shape but everything about the job he was growing to dislike more and more each day. He was frustrated and his confidence and mental attitude was being to show under the strain of not working, then of getting a job with high hopes, only for him to dislike the job immensely. I tried to stay constant... praying with him and for him but also reminding him that there had to be a purpose in what God was doing.

He was at his lowest point...broken and ready for God's mercy when, by mutual agreement the project was put on hold. Russell parted ways with them, as friends, but really was somewhat relieved. Yet, somehow we were not concerned anymore. We were peaceful and my husband had lost all that restlessness I had seen in him. I could see the work that had been done in both of us and had come become strengthened and assured that God was going to do what He has promised us all...to care for us, to love us, to guide us, to provide for us.

One of the last tasks for Russell to do was to go to the company that was consulting on the hotel plans, pay them and get the report. Remember this is the company that he had been hounding for five long months...the dream job....the place he is sure has a future for him. Upon entering the vice-presidents office he is greeted with.."glad you are here! I have had a letter in my briefcase for three weeks now that I want to talk to you about. It is a proposal for you to come to work for us. I haven't had time to mail it, things had been crazy around here, but I was wondering how and if you left the other job how we could make that change come about." Oh, my God! And I don't mean that in a disrespectful manner. "He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." Romans 4:20-21.

God in his wisdom knew what we needed to be strengthened, to be stretched, to be brought closer to Him. He knew what was needed to bring us where we needed to be according to His plan. And he knew how to bring us there! Like the words he spoke to Abraham.."God himself will provide the lamb" Genesis 22:8, we have been brought to a deeper level of understanding that God's provision is true, wonderful, and good. We will be tested with trials but we, as His children, will also be blessed with unspeakable glory.

Russell started his dream job, May 22, 2006, and he is grateful, peaceful, humbled, and blessed. And the journey has one more part that has more to do about myself than it does with Russell. That will be in my next post. But, for now, know that I am writing this out of obedience to God...."Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples". 1 Chronicles 16: 12, 24. I am going to declare His glory, His blessings, His grace, His mercy, His love, and His works to all.....for to Him all glory and honor be given.

Amen!