Encore!

My husband called me from work a week ago ago and informed me that he had been laid off. Apparently the company was looking to cut costs for their customers and decided that reducing their work force was one way to do that. As he was one of the newest hires, he naturally was one of the first to go. I was not shocked by this news. It's no secret that the economy has been in turmoil for a while. What has come as a bit of a surprise to me, though, is the incredible amount of peace that we both have.

Here's some background information: We were just hitting a nice cruising speed again after rebounding from 14 months of (income-less) self-employment, and three months of consequent unemployment. This after a 17 1/2 year career at one company. We have fewer resources this time (having just been through this) and more obligations. Yet, in the midst of this, there is peace... and joy! I believe that this is an opportunity for God to show Himself strong and pull us out of this one as only He can.

I am encouraged by the stories of Gideon, Nehemiah, and David (just to name a few). In all of these situations, God's people were out-matched in resources. But because they trusted God's might, not their own, they were victorious over their foe. He used the least likely means to accomplish His purpose.

It is also kind of flattering that He is showing His confidence in us by allowing us to walk this path again... and so soon. Since He promised never to give us more than we can bear, He must know that we are able to endure this. So, please stay tuned. I look forward to joining the great cloud of witnesses and telling my first hand account of God's continuing goodness during this time.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16: 33

Valentines

On the evening that my husband proposed to me, I arrived home after work to find him waiting on my porch wearing the vintage suit that he'd worn on our first date. He had parked his car inconspicuously around the corner so that I wouldn't be immediately aware of his presence and upon discovering him there, he invited me to go on a drive with him. I accepted. He retrieved his car from it's hiding place and in the passenger side was a basket that he had constructed containing some of my favorite things: flowers, the specific brand and flavor of mints that I preferred, my favorite cookies, and other things that could only have been selected by one who had been paying careful attention to my preferences, and knew me well. He has since told me that he also wore the suit because he knew how much I liked it. Over the course or our marriage, he continues to be attentive to the things that matter to me.

Likewise, the Lord has shown his love to me numerous times in small, intimate ways that show how well he knows me and how much he cares about the details that matter to me. I call those valentines.

I am my beloveds and He is mine.

Song of Songs 2:16