I feel like I have been in a Godly whirlwind the past month or so and have been blown away (pun intended! :) ) by the work God has done in my life. I would love to share some of the ways God has touched my life because if it can happen to me, it can happen to you!
First, I hit a milestone, I have been on this earth or half a century as on July 23! Wow, 50 years! People ask me if I feel older and what I tell them is no, I don't feel older, but I am concerned about how quickly the years went. I mean, I feel like just yesterday I was jumping on the trampoline in my back yard with my best friends as a 16 year old without a care in the world. My hope is to make the remaining years meaningful, to not take for granted a single second because before we know it, it will be gone. James 4:14 tells us, "For you appear to us for a little time then vanishes." And I can attest to this!
So I had a wonderful birthday celebrating with friends and family, then, the following day, I get a text from my boss saying I was laid off. God always knows what is best, and although I was terrified to have no regular income coming in to support my family, it was somewhat of a relief because it was a very stressful job. So much so, that I be physically ill from the anxiety and stress brought on by the job. Don't get me wrong, I was very thankful and learned a vast amount of knowledge from my experience there, but God knew...He knew I needed a change. Unfortunately, the change came at the expense of my boss becoming very ill and the business suffered greatly. Thankfully she is now on the mend and I am on to new adventures!
Now anyone who knows me knows that I am a worrier, and I worry over about anything. I can snowball a piece of dust into an avalanche in a matter of seconds and then, I worry because I am worried! LOL But God had a plan because there was no worry when I was laid off from my job, there was no lost sleep like there usually is, there was no waking up to my heart pounding wondering if my utilities were going to be shut off or because the house payment was already behind. Nothing, no worry, no stress, nothing...and that was because God had a plan!
As I was job searching, I was also spending time with my Lord, bonding, being loved on and trusting. I went to a couple of job interviews but knew that I was being held, supported and well, taken care of while I was waiting for "the" job.
Things were getting behind and I was even donating plasma for cash. But that started taking a toll on my body and I have since had to slow down. And THIS is where if you think God doesn't know, you're wrong. On a Saturday, I went out to check the mail and expecting the usual bills, but instead, there was a hand addressed envelope. I recognized the name as that of a classmate that I graduated with that lives out of state. Very sweet lady that I am friends with on Facebook but we hadn't talked in probably a year. I open the envelope and find a letter and the back of a check. By now, I am shaking because I am so touched by whatever this angel has done. As I read the letter, I begin sobbing because again, God knew. I sat on my porch for what seemed like eternity fearing turning the check around to see what was written on it. As I did, I couldn't help but to ask, "why me?". What have I, this grumpy old sinner, done to deserve such grace brought right to my home by a friend I haven't spoken with in ages?! But you know what, THAT'S God and He knows! I was provided enough through this blessing to get my two past due house payments caught up, my disconnects paid, and bought groceries! I couldn't stop thanking and praising God and immediately dropped to my knees in prayer.
And something else this kind gift provided...I was able to go to Goodwill (yep, I love it and yard sales!) and buy a few new pieces of clothing for the NEW and WONDERFUL job that I was offered and start tomorrow! Wow, I'm still blown away! I am so undeserving but yet so very thankful for everything in my life, the good, the bad and everything in between. If it weren't for the bad, we wouldn't be allowed to grow and stretch our faith to make us closer to the person God wants us to be.
Don't ever think God isn't listening because sometimes, He is just waiting in the background to let us struggle to learn to trust Him more. Until the day we die, we are learning and becoming the person God intended us to be.
**I will be starting a Bible Study soon, as many of you know. It will likely be a my home within the next week or two. I will write another blog post about it and giving details and if anyone has any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to comment!
