Finding Contentment

One month anniversary of job loss

It has been a month since Mark lost his job, and we are down to our last few dollars. We have tried very hard to count our blessings and not feel sorry for ourselves.

We are grateful to have the support of family friends like the Marsh family, who paid for most of the food for Alli's luau because they knew we had already been planning it before Mark lost his job and Alli had her heart set on it.

Then there are the prayers of the members of our Sunday School class. Not a week has gone by before at least a couple of them approach us with ideas or even just a hug.

Despite a few low moments, we continue to have faith in the Lord. Today, I allowed myself to sit for a few minutes and feel sorry for myself, knowing that our cell phones were soon to be cut off because we couldn't pay the bill. But although we feel in today's society that cell phones are a neccesity for emergency roadside breakdowns, etc., the fact is that we can get along with them. Despite the fact that the cell phones have almost become of extension of myself and Mark, a little inconvenience won't hurt us. And we said we were going to slowly but surely get away from using so much technology and learn to rely more on God, anyway. Thankfully, we had our cable cut off a couple of months ago - on purpose in order to help achieve that goal. That's one less bill we have to pay now. My only concern is that now if I have to leave the house and leave the kids by themselves, they have no way to contact me. I don't have to do that often, but when I do I felt a lot more comfortable with a cell phone. And, of course, because we had a contract with the phones this will probably mess our credit up 

We still have - at least for the moment - a roof over our heads and friends who I know wouldn't let us go without groceries when the refrigerator goes bare. And God had blessed us with a pretty good garden this year, so we have a good supply of fresh vegetables.

And there have been a few bright spots lately, too. My secret sister left a message that she was praying about Mark's job situation. That really lifted me up. Friends are great, but a complete stranger praying for you means a lot, too. 

Yesterday we got a notice that Mark was "not disqualified" for unemployment benefits. That means he is eligible for them, we just don't know when he may get a check. It took the government a month to even process the claim and send the eligibility letter....

But perhaps best of all, Mark got a call about a job he had sent his resume in for a couple of weeks ago. They did a preliminary phone interview and have called him in to an in-person interview this coming Tuesday! The job pays about $6,000 less per year than he was making, but it's a job!

Please pray that God opens the job for my husband - if it is the direction he wants us to go in. And please continue to pray for our finances. Even if he gets the job, it will probably be weeks before he actually sees a paycheck.

I just keep reminding myself of the verse (I'm terrrible about remembering where in the Bible certain verses are) about how if God provides for the little sparrow, surely he will provide for us!

God is faithful!

03:46 PM, Friday, July 6, 2007 .. Posted by dorninkrefuge

Philippians 4:19 God shall supply ALL your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I too will keep you in prayer before God. He will indeed provide for you. Just keep believing He will. He is a good father and will not let you go without, but we must have faith knowing He will provide. You are precious to God and to us. We are family in Christ and I will not cease to pray for you. Smiles, Linda

Untitled Comment

10:51 PM, Saturday, July 7, 2007 .. Posted by meme21713

I know what a scary feeling that is being without a job..Been there, done that..Even though I know the Lord and as you said, if He should take care of the birds, he surely will provide for us( not in the Lord's words) But human nature, we worry. I pray that hubby finds work soon. Looks like the Lord is opening a door to you with this job interview...Praise God...And hey it is not the same amount of monies you are use to, but there maybe something else later..The test maybe, will you take what I am sending your way now...Hummm !!! Have a wonderful weekend, keep the faith....Debbie

Encouragement for You from your Secret Sister

11:54 PM, Tuesday, July 17, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

I just wanted to let you know that although I started out planning on a different prayer focus each week, I have decided to keep the focus on your husband's job situation until that has been answered. Thanks for posting an update so I know what's going on. Do not despair, I believe God will open the right door at the right time. The hard part is the waiting!!! I was praying that I would be able to give more encouragement your way and opened up to this verse for you. "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way." Psalms 37:7 Hope somehow this is what you need. I will be sending out a package your way this week, please post when it arrives. God Bless!!! btw, your peaches look beautiful!!