Tuesday, January 22, 2013

...Count it all joy...

 
(This post was started last Saturday night)

Last night, we had some wonderful house guests. They are friends who we have loved for many years and it was the first time they've been here to our house since we moved into this one. They are the ones who came whenever DH's Mom passed away and we had a memorial service. They came from so far away to show us love. They have been such an epic part of our lives and they always seem to be there for us whenever we need them, even when we don't yet know it. Last night was one of those nights. We are so grateful they were here.

As dinner was being served to the little ones while others were playing cards still, the phone rang. It was business. One of our guests was having fun with the person on the other side of the phone as is his way of having fun. I got the phone and passed it on to DH. It was for him anyway. Then things turned ugly.

As of last night, through an email, DH is no longer employed. The 3rd owner of the bookstore since he's been there decided to cut him loose. He'd been there eleven years. It was an angry thing to watch play out. It was stressful with phone calls and emails back and forth.....


Fast forward 10 days: other things have come to pass since then. Accusations. On my part, fear of an unknown future. My family's name being dragged through the mud. Nasty things said from people who I thought not likely to say such things. My poor girls have been broken hearted and felt betrayed by friends. It's been an ugly situation. But in all of this one thing comes blaring out - screaming in my soul:

In. Every. Thing. Give. Thanks.

I posted this same thing a while back when I was dealing with a physical ailment I'd recently discovered. You can read about that here. I still have that, but the Lord has helped me have peace about it.

Is there anything in life worth panicking over? Is God suddenly not on the throne when trials come? Is He ever taken by surprise by anything that happens to us? Was He shocked when Job was suffering greatly at the hand and will of Satan? Never.Has God sent us the Body of Christ to walk with us through all of this? Yes, and in ways I never thought we would need. It is an amazing thing to watch Christ move people to care for and love others in the Body. I cannot fathom the thought of His goodness to me! He has sent beloved ones to be here for us in our time of need. Most importantly, He has made a change in my husband's heart that is wonderful! He has given us time as a family to worship with others in the Body, which is not something we have been able to do in years. 

James 1:2-8

 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.