I've been praying a lot about what this blog is to be for and why I am writing it. I do truly believe much of it is for my own benefit. Writing is a way for the Lord to communicate with me and for me to communicate with Him. I am amazed as I start writing what comes out and much of it I really need to hear from the Lord. I am grateful for an outlet for my thoughts.
But I also know that I receive a great deal of strength and encouragement from what others say and write. I think the Lord intends to use each one of us as a source of help for those He puts in our path.
In the spirit of being open and praying that in some way the words I write will minister to others out there that are in the same boat, James and I have decided that I should openly discuss "the storms" that I have been referring to that we are currently walking through. In looking through other blogs that people write, I haven't seen many that are dedicated to what we are going through. Even though, I know many are struggling just as we are. So as I write and share, please write and share back with me. James and I are strengthened through your prayers and your encouraging words. I hope that the Lord will use our experience for good and that I can be a source of hope and encouragement to others.
A week ago I posted this post. Two days later James was let go from his job. Oh my goodness, the range of emotions that flooded my body when he told me. I couldn't breathe, felt like I had been punched in the stomach. A touch of momentary pure panic set in. I just couldn't believe it was possibly true. How could this happen? We have tried so hard to be so faithful. I have just accepted a job with a $20,000 pay cut that we really felt God wanted me to take and NOW James doesn't have a job at all? It was beyond all that my mind could conceive. James has always been an exemplary employee and to just be let go???? I couldn't fathom it. What is God doing and more importantly WHY is He doing it???
There are times when I am fine and happy and the whole situation seems to be a dream, not real at all. But in those quiet times,those times when I am not rushing from here to there, not engaging with our children. In the times when I am still it is so hard to not let my mind wander to the "what ifs", "whys" and "how comes".
I will write more later, but I wanted to share what the "storm" is and stop being so cryptic. We ask for your prayers.
I also have a request, if you know of anyone who is going through a job loss right now in their family, please give them my blog address. I want to be able to encourage others in the midst of their storms. Losing a job is not a topic that many are willing to openly talk about. Job loss seems to make people feel ashamed, frustrated and so very alone and forsaken. But with 10% of the workforce filing for unemployement it is effecting a great many of us. No one needs to walk through it alone.....
Kim, it's really brave of you and James to put it all out there!
ReplyDeleteWhile I haven't "lost" a job....I am struggling with finding one. Panic is just at the edges and so far, I've been able to keep it at bay. But I empathize with you both my friends!
There are so many who are in our situations and I'm sure that your words will find their way to them.
Kim, my husband and I had been through this so many times in our first 9 years of marriage. We were moving every 18 months from state to state and job to job. I'm a SAHM so I could never contribute financially to the household but we continued to have faith and we were always taken care of. All of the craziness in the career arena finally led us to the military which was the best decision ever. In fact, I know without a doubt that we were quite literally led right to the exact place we needed to be to "discover" the military option.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more of your posts.
Hugs and prayers!
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you are having this kind of turmoil in your life. I do understand what it is like to go through a storm and it is not easy. I have faced several major storms in my lifetime. I do know that you are a very strong person and if anyone can work through it you can. I also know what Christian education means as my husband and I sent out children to Arlington. It is worth every sacrifice you have to make. I know and it wasn't easy. Looking back I wonder how we made it sometimes. We had committed to it and had to work hard to do it for 2 kids. I know how important it is to you as well and knowing you I know you will be willing to sacrifice to send your kids to Trinity because you want the best for them. It is such a blessing that you will be working there and will be able to be involved in their education and everything that is going on with them. James will find a job--it may not be doing what he is trained for at first but he will find something to help make it through. I know the Lord will provide, he always does. Matthew 6:25-28 helps sometimes. Please know I care about what you are going through and I will certainly keep you in my prayers.
Paula Anderson
Love you guys...Praying praying praying!!! Jesus has a plan. And I am going to go out on a limb here....but I don't believe for one minute that God did this to you guys!! He loves you and never would want you to go through something like this. Sometimes LIFE just happens. Product of living in a fallen world. But I truly do not believe that your "daddy" in heaven caused this to happen. You two are AMAZING!!!
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