A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Economic Encouragement!

Let's admit it. Times are shaky in our country. Layoffs and unemployment are at an all time high and it doesn't look like it's going to be getting any better in the near future. I don't even have that much comfort in our government and the decisions they are making to "help". (Hold on the encouragement is coming!) So what do you do?

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Is that hard for you? To let the Lord take control?
My husband works at Cape Canaveral. In the 13 years he's worked there for one company to the next, layoffs were always a threat. See at the Cape it's not your performance that keeps you there, it's the seniority. My hubby unfortunately has always been near the bottom of the totem pole and therefor when the word layoff is said, we again think, here we go again. Although, by the grace of God, 90% of the time he dodged them, but he did actually get laid off 2 years ago for a whole year. It was a time of pruning and growing and trusting in the Lord for all our provisions. Did we ever go without food? No. Electricity? No. We had everything we needed and the Lord provided it all. My husband got called back to the Cape and has been there for 2 years now. But once again layoffs are in the near future and he is at the very BOTTOM of the totem pole this time. But we know that the Lord is good and He will provide. Does it always come in the form that we expect? No. This is what has happened recently. A job opening came up within the same company that my husband currently works for. My husband wasn't sure about it at first because it's not a job in his trade. He's an electrician and this job would have nothing to do with being an electrician. But knowing that the job would be more secure he took the step to apply. See you can't sit around and think the Lord is going to drag you to your next destination, you need to take a step and with each step it becomes more clear to either advance or retreat. As it did with this job. With each step we both felt better and better about it. When they actually offered it to him we both felt it was the Lord's way of keeping hubby out there in a more "secure" position. The miraculous part? My husband doesn't have a bachelors degree or anything. He went to trade school for 2 years to become an electrician. But this lowly ol' country boy will be in what they call the Pentagon of the Cape. In fact he walked right past the General on his way in.
Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
We serve a BIG God! See layoffs probably won't touch him now for the rest of the contract which is another 6 years. Is this something my husband would have sought out on his own? No. My husband starts the day out on his knees and asks the Lord for wisdom and guidance. He is good about giving it to those who ask. So my point today is.Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Many of you have husbands that have been laid off or are in the process. Don't be afraid to take steps in new directions as the Lord guides you. Ask Him for wisdom and discernment. In these shaky times you just might find yourself doing something you never thought you would. Don't be afraid to take chances when the Lord is prompting you. Where the Lord guides He provides. Most of all ladies, support and build up our husbands. Let them know we have their back and are there for them. So much responsibility rests on the shoulders of our men. They don't need nagging wives to deal with either. Let's do our part and love and support them unconditionally!
I hope this was able to encourage you. It's been on my heart and I know that sometimes we go through things to be an encouragement to others, so I hope you were able to walk away with something.
Have a most excellent day and thanks for sticking it out with me on this longer than usual post!
BIG Hugs!

20 comments:

  1. Kim that is a great post and a wonderful reminder to seek God and not put limits on ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's crazy, but I was thinking of this while my son was watching Veggie Tales ;) God tells us to persevere even when it's hard. I find comfort knowing He is in charge, and even if things are uncomfortable right now we are not alone. He is watching over us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We are so blessed that my dh has a job right now. He's having to work 7 days a week, but we're not complaining. So many people don't have jobs and he's working all the time. He says he's going to keep working until the work runs out. He's in construction so when this building is finished, who knows?

    You asked me if I wanted to pick the next Show and Tell Saturday. Well, kids do this for school sometimes and what do they bring? A lot of them try to take pets. How about what or who was your favorite pet as a child or if you didn't have one, what kind of pet did you want?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kimmy,

    What an honest and beautiful post about seeking the Lord and not relying on our own understanding, which we often tend to do. And I try to give my hubby little hand signals if he forgets something instead of a nagging voice ... can't say I'm perfect at it, but I try to nod at him or put my hands in prayer formation, etc as gentle reminders instead of "you forgot to"...know what I mean?

    Lovely encouragement here today, my friend. Big hugs to you and your precious family!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful post about Trusting in the Lord for everything...that is awesome about his job security now. God is good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. We have several in our church that have been affected by layoffs. It has burdened my heart so much. I've been trying to reach out to them with cards and I was thinking of maybe taking meals and such. We sent a gas card anonymously last year to a family that was struggling and it was amazing to see how God blessed in that.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the wonderful post.It caused me to remember my favorite:

    Philippians 4:19
    My God shall supply all
    my need according to his
    riches in Glory by Christ
    Jesus.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful, encouraging post, Kim! We all need to be thankful for what we have, whether it is as much as we had in the past or less. God is in control and none of this mess has caught Him by surprise.

    I am so thankful today that both my husband and I have jobs. None of us knows what tomorrow holds but I know WHO HOLDS TOMORROW!

    Thanks for an uplifting post and a great reminder to be thankful in all things.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful encouraging post my friend - very timely! I am so blessed that my husband has a secure job and he thanks the Lord every day. But we have many friends struggling right now. They have been trusting in the Lord and He has definitely been providing! Not always in the ways that you expect of course!

    And great advice for us wives! So glad your hubby has that job now. Have a fabulous day my friend! Big Encouraging Cape-size hugs to you!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amen, amen, amen!!!!!!!!

    So glad to see God at work in your lives! Uncertainty is tough, for sure.

    I totally know what you mean about taking the first step. That's how we got the house we're living in. We took the first step, and God guided each and every one thereafter. He is a good God!

    I really like that first Proverb you put up. SO good and something I need to really remember. ((Hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for a beautiful post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a wonderful post, Kim! God bless you for sharing such encouragement. My DH currently works where seniority is king, too, so we have "been there." We are taking our own little steps out of our comfort zone right now and moving forward and trusting God to continue to lead!....He has been ministering to me the scripture that says to "Be strong and courageous" and "Do not fear, for the Lord is with you wherever you go."

    Blessings to you my friend!

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are scary times for those without job security, and especially for those without eternal security. Your post was so encouraging. What a testimony of faith and trust in the Lord. He has truly provided for ya'll.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful post. So encouraging! Thanks for always sharing your sweet heart!

    As for Disney - LOL. I have become the designated Tour Guide for all my friends while the FREE BIRTHDAY at Disney is going on. We have passes and so when my friends birthdays have come up, they call me to go with them. LOL. It's fun. A great girls day out.

    So don't forget to go to DisneyWorld.com and sign up for your free Birthday park ticket. If you need a friend to go with you.. just give me a call :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. AMEN! We're going through this right now and part of our stepping forward is moving (this weekend!). The numbers don't add up, but we have been blessed with food, gas, shelter etc! God is so good! Believe me, if anything crazy could go on-it's going on right now and all at the same time, BUT somehow God has provided peace in the midst. Also, my love for my husband and appreciation for all that he does has been magnified significantly! What a blessing that our relationship can soar in what could be considered such a stressful time. I can honestly say, I do not have the answers daily or am even able to think and organize some aspects, but the good Lord has provided a new day each day so far where His mercies are new daily. We are so blessed. Thank you for sharing and reminding us in love about our callings! Blessings to you! Amanda:)

    ReplyDelete
  16. So many of your reflections have touched and encouraged me today. Thank you.

    Lea

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! Thank you for that post....you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes we have let fear just sort of paralyze us, and sometimes we just have to take that first step of faith....instead of waiting for God to "drag us." Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you so much for taking the time to write that. Right now my husband and I are looking at buying a different home but he is worried about something possibly happening where he works. I tell him to remember that if the Lord wants us to have this home we are looking at and we keep faith in him he will take care of everything. I have to also keep reminding my children the same thing. What is nice is reading your post and having the encouragement to go forward in this new adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Encouraging words. Thanks. God is in control--and that is a good thing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love this, Kim. I learned from the earliest years of my childhood that God will provide all my needs--physically, emotionally and spiritually...but yes, we gotta believe He can. Love your heart.

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate the time you take to leave a comment. Thank you!

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin