As we head into nearly 2 months of Tony’s unemployment, life’s annoyances never let up. Appliances break, minor health problems rear their head and spending habits die hard. We have not only temporarily laid to rest our big plans for a 2016 budget to finally include a retirement plan, but we also look at creative ways to be thrifty as well a closer scrutiny of the new slim line budget. We have raised the old declutter banner theme “Less is more in 2004”, (though we could still toss out many dumpster loads) and added on a 2016 theme of “Live Lean in ’16” or something like that.
Ps. 9:9 – The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Aside from the trials that seem to renew themselves daily, we truly have been renewed inwardly day by day and the highlight of our days is our morning Bible readings. We have started a new habit of praying the scriptures together, which I think is exciting.
Here is the prayer I emailed to Caleb tonight, “Lord, we praise you because you comfort us in our troubles, so that we’ll know how to comfort others with the same comfort You’ve given us. In fact every trial is laced with the promise of “Aha”. I now know better how to encourage so and so. Not because our circumstances are the same, but the depth of emotion is similar and the yearning for relief also, as well as the realization that most would never or could never understand with such empathy.
We thank you that You are our Shepherd, the Good Shepherd of our family, and that you guide us in paths of righteousness. When we would lose our way, You see and you run to our rescue even if that rescue is in a form we don’t care for at the moment. In retrospect, we can always admit you pulled us out of a mess, sometimes just in time.
You do honor us even among our enemies though not always on the timetable we’d like. Your love follows us all our lives and we will dwell with you in complete happiness in Heaven even as we taste Your joy now in this life. Thank you that you renew us inside day by day, even if outwardly we get depressed and at times deal with the slights and scorn of others. You are a refuge for us when we’re oppressed. As we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, you lift us up in due time. We cast all our anxiety on you and believe that You really do care for us, so much you gave Your Son when we were and are so underserving. We humbly trust and obey you and eagerly await your reliefs, even as we enjoy our inner renewal in the trials, which we know will always come.”
Ps. 23:1-6 – The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Things are starting to happen and it is reminiscent of the slow thaw of ice in Narnia after the long winter. The sounds of melting ice include: Some recent great family times, several positive job changes and job change possibilities within our large family and including that Tony will have had three interviews recently at three different companies by the end of this week, another family gathering coming up in spring, a reunion with Caleb in July on the outside of the bars, many recent helpful kindnesses shown us by family, my employers at Hutson Funeral Home, our church family at Center Point, and other local church friends, as well as the opportunity to get outside ourselves and help friends at Hannah’s Ranch in Cuba, MO (a Mission Gate Ministry), and as I look forward to an upcoming girls weekend and training in Mom’s in Prayer, International.
Ah….Aslan is on the move.
Cobbled Stones 