facing the trials

It's official. Dave was laid off, effective last Friday - it was just formalized this morning. These are difficult times which require difficult decisions. We hope and pray that it is only temporary. Right now we (everyone at the office) are just looking at it as a two week vacation without pay. Should it go longer than that, well.. we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

As I'm sitting here contemplating it all though, the following commentary and then a verse came to mind:

ATTITUDE by Charles Swindoll
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude
on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than acts. It is more important than
the past, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more
important than appearances, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a
company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day
regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our
past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot
change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we
have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to
me and 90% how I react to it. And, so it is with you…we are in charge of our
attitudes."

James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

they bring me joy!

life is good.

The last month has been a rather rough one. My best friend's mother - who was a surrogate grandma to our girls - passed away somewhat suddenly, work has become rather unstable in this day of a struggling housing market, and Dave and I are both on the very short list for layoffs.

But life is good. You know, in these times when it feels like everything is falling apart, I am reminded that this is when God can really show us His power and glory and compassion. The Bible study I have been involved in for the last year has been trekking through the Old Testament, one book at a time. I'm reminded of Moses and the Israelites and their walk through the desert for FORTY YEARS! But at this time, God drew near to His people. He was with them every step - and he LED them. I know the Lord is with us. I know He is leading us. I know we are not alone.

A familiar verse comes to mind, and I'm so thankful we have the words of our Lord to give us peace: Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "

So yes.. life is crazy.. our heads are spinning... but we still have so much to be thankful for! Life is good!