Last week I wrote about smiling, even in the midst of trials, and previously, in another blog I wrote: “But Godmay have a different schedule for our day, week, month, or year, so unexpected events occur, and we must adjust to God’s leading.”
This week, I’ve lived those out in very real and personal ways.
While at work, my husband received a call from a retired employee telling him he heard my husband was retiring. That was news to my husband. He had made no suchplans. His boss tried to insist my husband told him he was retiring.
My husband is close to retirement, but we need time to plan for that. Less than 30 days wasn’t sufficient time. But God knew. Thus, I was led on another chapter in my journey of faith.
Additionally, I contracted the flu, a very nasty bug, and was sick all week. I’d rather face hip replacement than the flu again!
But God had a purpose for all this to happen like it did.
While I was contemplating this possible different schedule for our lives, I spent much time remembering God’s many acts of kindness on my behalf.
I remembered how, when we got married and moved to California, He provided work for Ed and myself, and a mobile home of our own, all within the first month we were there!
I remembered how, when we decided to buy a bigger home, He put together the finances for that move, and how He would later use that when He moved us back to New York.
I remembered how, when I was in rebellion against Him, He protected me from making life changing decisions that could have been devastating.
I remembered that God was guiding and watching over me, long before I submitted to His love and kindness. After all, He is the one who formed me and knew me before I was born: “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16
I remembered when He called me out of darkness, into the light of the glory of His marvelous Gospel of the Lord Jesus! That same day He called my husband into a relationship with Himself also! John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
I remembered when He called us to move back to New York [we previously planned never to go back to NY], and how He guided us put together all of the details for our transition.
I remembered how He provided work for Ed, and when that job ended, how He would provide for our needs. My husband often worked independently. When work lacked, God would provide a job. Then new management took over at the job, and they let him go. But God was faithful to keep us provided for.
I remembered how God provided the current employment. It was something only He could sovereignly orchestrate. But that’s our God!
I not only remembered, but reminded myself of how great He is at providing!
As I remembered, I was encouraged.
God worked me through the adjustments retirement would bring.
God helped me to open my hands to Him, to accept anything He has planned.
God reminded me that man was not orchestrating these events, but He was in charge of them.
In all this God once again revealed to me how much He loves and cares for ME!
I’m no one special, but God shows me I’m special to Him.
I deserve none of the countless blessings He has brought to me, but God isn’t guided by what I deserve, but by what He wants to do for me.
I am humbled. I found tears of joy well up as I remembered, and continue to remember, that I’m important to my Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and that He is my Provider and Healer.
I realized that having the flu was a blessing this week. It caused me to have to stay home, relax on the couch to heal, and to remember. I’m grateful to God!
This is what faith is all about? We are to remember and trust in the One we cannot see, but who has made a mark on our lives so that we know He exists. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith for us: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
The people mentioned as men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 lived their lives in dependence upon God. That is where God drew me deeper this week. I’m more at rest, depending upon Him.
Consider Hebrews 11:5-6: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
What do you remember about God’s activity in your life? When we live by faith, we credit God for all the good things that go on in our lives. He has been involved in our lives prior to our conception, but do we give Him credit for all He has done for us, or do we take credit for what we consider to be our accomplishments?
It really matters what we think, because God blessed Enoch for a life of faith and acknowledgement of God and His involvement in his life. When we earnestly seek God, like Enoch, we give God credit for everything good He has done.
The rest of the story on my husband’s job – he will work at least through June! God knows! My place is to trust, even if God’s answer had been December 31, 2022, God is trustworthy.
Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if you would like to talk about a relationship with Jesus, and walking by faith in this world filled with challenges.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
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