encouragement

Five Years….Really?

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“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”  I have been asked that in several interviews/applications, and my first thought is, really??  I know the question is supposed to give the interviewer some clue about your motivations, plans, goals, etc.  But it is also one that puts the one who is answering in a huge predicament.  We all know that the correct answer is “working faithfully to provide for my family, always seeking to rise in the job I am in, and reaching high goals.”  However, my faith and my walk with Jesus causes me to want to answer, “I don’t know because Jesus hasn’t told me yet!”  Or, “I don’t know, because nothing in life is sure or certain.”

I have lived long enough to lose childhood friends to disease and accidents.  I see every day that life is being valued less and less.  According to the news, the economy is constantly teetering on the verge of disaster and the price of gas is going back up.  And in my own life, had I answered that question 3 1/2 years ago, I would have answered it wrong…because I would have said working there until I retired – and look how that turned out!

Honestly, the answer is truly, I don’t know.  In an ideal world, I will be healthy, productive,and doing ministry through whatever avenue that God gives me, and working to provide for those goals.  In God’s plan for my life, I don’t know.  AND YET!  I am not distraught or upset by that!  Knowing that He has promised that He will care for me, that He will never leave me, and that He has a hope and a future for me (Jeremiah 29:11) keeps me content and focused on living the life that He has given me TODAY, and letting tomorrow, next month, or 5 years from now take care of itself!

So….I am have been challenged in answering that question – and maybe you have been too – but to live in a world of uncertainty is not a bad place, when you know the ONE who has the answers, and the power to make them happen!

The Gift of Time

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I have been unemployed now for exactly three weeks and two days, not by choice, and I always thought that would be a horrible thing.  I was wrong.  There are some down sides of course – lack of money being the major one.  But there are some surprising things that are actually beneficial!  I have been given this incredible gift of time…just marvelous, wonderful time to rest, regroup, and really decide what shape my life is in, and whether or not I like what I see.  I have this unique time to not have a schedule, not be always going and doing.

And the best part is that I have time with my family!  Robert has only been retired since October of last year, and we had not really been able to “celebrate” that together.  I have to tell you, he is still an awesome guy, and God has given us this opportunity to enjoy each other’s company fulltime.  My Mom and I have also spent a lot more time together – and since she is 74, that is really a gift!  I have learned more about what is going on in her life, and have been able to help her so much more than I have in a long time.

So yes, I am not being paid, and that is not fun.  Nor is the process of searching for a new job, and feeling like I am not fully contributing to our personal economy and/or society.  It is very humbling to be asked why you were let go, and to feel “less than” because of it.  AND YET!  God has a purpose in everything, and He is gracious to His children in all circumstances.  He also has good in everything, and I am blessed and encouraged every day because of that.  To Him be the glory!

Singing in the Rain!

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unnamed[1] (9)AND YET!!!  My God has poured out His blessings on us today to the point that I have almost been speechless!  This car, pictured to my left, has been my “dream car” since it first came out in commercials a few years ago with hamsters driving it!  And in my dream world, it HAD to be green!  So as my car began letting us know this past week that it was getting near retirement, we began the search and found this beauty online.  Went to Tallahassee today, and after a very long day (title and tag switching between states is NO easy task!) drove this 2013 with a small ding in it home.  Just 4 months ago, in a Sunday School lesson I taught on being obedient in your finances and trusting the Lord, I told them about this dream car…and said that I knew it would always be out of my range because of not wanting to tie up money that God intended us to use for other things.

Flash forward to now and here I am!  Unemployed still, yet with THE CAR.  And with a payment so affordable we could even do it NOW (after our trade in and some cash). Oh, yes, and I had an awesome interview this morning for a job that I would love to have.  Do I deserve this favor and these blessings?  Absolutely not.  Am I beyond grateful for God’s provision?  ABSOLUTELY!  Would I still love Him if He hadn’t?  ABSOLUTELY.  But I cannot keep silent when He does!!

As one of my favorite songs says, “How can I keep from singing Your praise?  How can I ever say enough?”  Amen!

Going to the Source

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My husband, Robert, is a coffee lover from WAY back, and I know better than to bother him until he has had at least one cup of coffee in the morning.  However, he is an extreme lover of dark coffee – French Roast being his favorite.  And we have the grind/brew machine because that “tastes SO much better!”.  I, on the other hand, will not touch the stuff.  But as the grocery shopper, it is my duty to keep our “low coffee” light (lol!) from being on in the cabinet.

I was in good shape with the whole bean french roast coffee pictured below until….one of our local stores closed, and the one left open does not sell whole bean…of any kind.  Our local Walmart is not dependable – sometimes yes, sometimes no, and when I can find it, not always in his brand or flavor.

So, we received an email from this company, to order directly from their site – with a discount first offer, of course.  And this is what arrived in the mail yesterday – TWO 36 oz bags – humongous bags! – of his brand, his flavor!!  Oh, happy day!

And last night, God spoke to me very clearly about this.  I was frustrated, aggravated, and majorly disappointed as I struggled to find what I needed in the wrong places!  I was also settling for what I could get from them – and not enjoying the full benefits of what I could find AT THE SOURCE.  But now, bliss!  No frustration, no aggravation, and plenty!  Which is SO like my life!  So many times I personally struggle and get frustrated and aggravated trying to fill my needs with what the world has to offer – and I settle too many times for what I can get.  AND YET!  I have a SOURCE of all good things – all wonderful things – all I could want!  And when I go to the SOURCE, I live in a land of peace and abundance, AND there’s no shipping and handling!  I believe I will start receiving from that SOURCE more, and live the way He desires!

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Challenged, but not defeated!

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“Do not be anxious for your life, as to what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor for your body as to what you will put on…..” Matthew 6:25.  Or, might I add now, as to what you will drive!  Exactly 18 days from the date of receiving my pink slip, I am receiving notice from my car that it is ready to cause us some major repair work.  It is 9 years old, and I have driven it for 6, and it has 150,000 miles on it.  So..its probably time.  But  my first response was so spiritual – really, Lord???

AND YET!  My God, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, is already making it clear how He is providing and taking care of ALL my needs.  I have 401K money (not a huge amount) that I can access since leaving my job and a 10% penalty on that is going to be very small.  Plus, I picked up our taxes today, and praise Him, we actually do not OWE but a very small amount this year, and we are getting back a very nice amount from the state.  Hallelujah!  That, plus the trade in on my car will give us a very reasonable payment for the car that He provides.  So, unemployment + newer car payment = not a problem for my “and yet!” God!  May He receive all the glory, and may He use my next car to help me minister and work in places I never dreamed about!