This is a bit of a rant and praise post all in one-A BIG departure from a normal RSR post; BARE WITH ME! If your not a believer feel free to read but PLEASE NO NEGATIVE response-I'm not posting this to start a debate...
2013 was not a good year for us--Hubby started out unemployed.
The first week in Jan I took a fall down some icy steps with out insurance DR bills were OOP
Around Feb hubby did eventually find a job that was a big cut in pay, we had to stay on state assistance--VERY TOUGH ON MY HUBBY.
Then in October they laid him off!! I know this was going to be another sparse Holiday Season.
(but I'm thrifty and enter a lot of giveaways so we'll get through)
a week after Hubby was laid off our fridge and sewer system busted.
Thankfully Hubby was able to find another job within a month - yet again taking a cut in pay.
Then on BLACK FRIDAY my children and I were in a car accident- we came out with some minor whip-lash but our car was totaled. On the hunt for a replacement. =(
As I stated at the beginning of the post rant and PRAISE--
the past two weeks our Sunday sermons have been a study on giving praise...in EVERYTHING!!!! While it's NEVER easy to do right in the midst of it all one of the biggest lessons I'm learning is I need to be a prism of GOD's love and light. With all that our family has been through there are many out there that have gone through much MUCH worse this year. As long as I can learn to remember God has brought me through tough times in the past and he can do it again-I want to get through it shining a light not dragging my heels singing a "pity me tune"
A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go though the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain.--- This season is one of fire for me and my family ---so in the future we can shine.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
James 1:3&4
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
James 1:3&4
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
In the Dallas airport yesterday, I noticed two kinds of people. The grumpy ones carried slumped shoulders, heavy frowns and bad attitudes. The positive ones seized every opportunity to share, encourage and uplift. Most were positive…. they saw the adventure of the moment instead of the tragedy in it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your pastor is speaking the truth into your life, and more, that your heart is open to His Encouragement! May the troubles of 2013 stay here and 2014 be brighter!
TY I'm praying for a better 2014 too...but I'm learning to be willing to handle what ever comes my way--I know we all have trials _I'm just glad I've got the LORD to lean on while I'm going through =)
DeleteI pray that you have a better 2014. God has a reason for every circumstance and outcome. You are loved and he will guide you through these tough times!
ReplyDeleteTY and Yes I know HE has a reason---just sometimes I don't see it --but that's because HE can see the bigger picture while I'm stuck looking at the circumstance.
DeleteThanks for the words of encouragement.
I hope that you have a better year. You and your family have been through rough times but little did you know that you have relied on your faith that God will get you though. This year is also tough for us this Christmas, I am thrifty too and trying to win my kids a few things for Christmas. So are I have one a few things but only one item for my daughter and I hope to win something for the boys. If not they will get them late, they are forgiving and understand the situation.
ReplyDeleteI totally get that --I've don't the same thing last year as far as entering giveaways for gifts--two I won the week before CHristmas so of course they didn't get to us in time-I found a photo of it and wrapped that with a note stating it was on it's way. Another gift coming in the mail even after was a treat for them too =)
DeleteI hope that you have a better year this coming year. I will keep you and your family in our prayers
ReplyDeleteThank-you =^D
DeleteI completely understand what you are saying. My hubby and I have went from living off of an $80k income to $25k income and it is awful. Hubby was injured on the job last December, getting his hand smashed between two 2500 pound rolling crates leaving nerve damage and his heart is bigger than his brain sometimes and he walked away from the workers comp pay because he was leaving "friends" working short week after week and felt bad for doing it because they could not hire someone else to replace him with him still actually employed there. We have taken 100 steps backwards and we are both now enrolled in college at 43 and 44 and getting assistance with that. We are very thankful that we have each other and a roof over our head but other than that we don't have much any more. But we have decided that together we can get through it all.
ReplyDeleteWOW you've had a year- I think it's very cool that your going back to school...my Hubby never finished and he's talked about going back too. Prayers for a better 2014 for your family too.
DeleteOh honey, I feel you! My husband was out of work for three months, I miscarried twins in May, two of our tires went flat, our power steering went out, our AC went out in June, (remember we live in Phoenix) our fridge broke the our freezer, blah blah blah...things still suck over here
ReplyDeleteBut for the constant reminder from my priest that for whatever reason, we are exactly where God wants us to be right now, I'd've lost my mind by now.
We must stay strong
And thank God you and your kids were safe!
NO AC in JUNE I would be bawling here and in Phoenix =b and YES I thank God for our Minister too when we are going through the fire it's hard to see past the flames...but HE knows what HE's doing -- and yep the first thing I though about was car can be replaced...my kids and I walked away from the wreck together.
DeletePrayers that 2014 will look brighter for you too.