A few years ago, on Christmas eve to be exact, we received a letter in the mail notifying us that an old friend had left us a sum of money when he died. I remember sitting with my husband and teenage daughter praising God for this unexpected blessing that would allow us to pay for another year of Christian school.
A year later, my husband got promoted and began earning bonuses we never dreamed we would see. We socked the money away for retirement and praised God again for his provisions.
When my husband lost his job in 2007, our spiral into worry began. We forced ourselves to count the small blessings--a card from a friend, a way to watch TV without cable, jeans at $2.00 a pair at thrift stores. I made blessing lists and posted them on our refrigerator to get us through.
Today we are struggling to build a new home with the funds we had from selling our Florida house. I might not get in for months still but I'm thankful each time I see another part go up on it.
What have I learned from these unstable years? Change is constant. I can no longer count on life going along good because I'm doing what I should do. It didn't matter that I was a "good" Christian--God had other plans for my life and that included many many changes.
When we woke today, we reminded ourselves that all we have is today. Tomorrow anything could happen, but today is the day I have. Today for us means working on our house, being thankful for good health to do it trusting that somehow, someday we might get to live in it.
Unless God has other plans for us.
And that's okay. His plans are always better than mine.
8 comments:
What a great reminder post. I'm reminded of Paul in the Bible--saying he learned to be content in every situation, in times of abundance and times of scarcity. Best wishes and prayers as you build your new home!
I believe that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Sometimes righteous people lose their homes and all their possessions. The important thing is, like you and your family, that we're on the "right" side of the line. I also believe that God doesn't micro-manage our lives; that he allows us to use our agency to make decisions. I think this is God's underlying plan.
In times of economic distress, we have an opportunity to learn how to use our money more wisely (this happened to his son and wife not long ago). This can be a blessing, as you discovered.
Gosh, good post that spoke to me. You got me going. Take care...And may God continue to bless you and your family.
Oh Terri, isn't it the truth? Sometimes God teaches us hard lessons. So many times I had to do things I did not WANT to do. But everything always worked out in the end.
You will be in your house when He is ready. Maybe it will be sooner than later! I hope so. Susan
YES! We all need this reminder. You know I've been there - AM there. Thanks, sweetheart, for sharing your heart!
Have been thinking lately about the scripture in Jeremiah 29 where God says He knows the plans He has for us, etc. Our hope and future is in Him and no matter what, that is a good and comforting thing. So blessed to see how things are progressing for you. Enjoying the pictures and updates on FB!
Oh isn't this the truth!!! I could write pages about this topic. I like how you expressed it so well.
Terri, you said it so well! I have also learned to not set my heart upon "increased riches"... Being grateful for the provision but not clinging to the blessing as the source of my dependency.
God bless you!!
Hi Terri, I am back reading blogs c.os I have a little time today. Indeed my life is full of ups and downs and sometimes I wonder what am I doing wrong. But your post made me feel more forgiving towards myself and that I should appreciate and ride the tide and hopefully learn from it.
Blessings
Post a Comment