I'm so excited today to be a part of something really special. Something that I believe can really touch the lives of people across the globe. Today's post is going to be a little wordy, so I'm just warning you now. :) I hope that you'll stick with me though, because I'm speaking from the heart.
I was approached a while ago from a friend that I've met through stamping, asking if I would be interested in helping spread the word about something that's very near and dear to her heart. Chelsea Cook is the sweetest, most genuine, most GIVING person ever... and she felt led to start a ministry through card making. Wait For the Lord (WFTL) Cards is all about sharing Jesus' love to others. You can read more about WFTL Cards by clicking HERE.
There are several girls participating in a blog hop today... and all of us have created a card that we would like to send to someone who could use a little lift! If you or someone you know could use some encouragement, just leave a comment on this post. One random commenter off of EACH blog post will be selected to receive a card. ALSO... one commenter selected from the combined posts will win a stamp set of their choice from the sponsor this week - Our Daily Bread!!!
I have a lot more to say below... but I wanted to let you know that when you're done reading my novel... I mean post... make sure to hop over to the next blogger --- Patter Cross!!! If you came to my post out of order, you can start your hop on the WFTL blog.
I've known for weeks that I wanted to focus my card today based on this verse:
"When I pray, you answer me! You encourage me by giving me the strength that I need" Psalm 138:3
If someone wrote a story about my life this past year, this verse could be the title! I've learned that sometimes the truth from God's Word is not an easy lesson to learn. Sometimes I could quote this verse out of wonder and amazement because God worked in amazing and wonderful ways. But... other times, I had to quote this verse out of faith because it felt like my prayers weren't going anywhere.
I've debated numerous times if I should talk about what's been going on lately with my family. I'm a pretty private person... and most people that I work side-by-side with every day have no idea what's been going on in my life. But... I've decided to share a little bit right now... and hopefully it will bring someone some encouragement in their own lives.
The story began about 9 months ago. To make a long story short, my husband lost his job. I wish I could say that it was an effect of our lousy economy... but it was much worse. My husband was a HS teacher/coach and cared about his 'kids' with all of his heart. About a year ago, one of my husband's students/players made a really poor decision and was expelled from school. We knew his family... and they were/are great people. It was devastating to them. Their son lost his college scholarship, didn't get to graduate, and was in legal trouble. So.. one evening, my husband decided to visit the family and try to offer some encouragement... and just wanted to let them know that he still cared about them and was there if they needed him. The leadership of the school found out and didn't like the fact that my husband was giving them any support.
A little while after that, my husband was called down to the office. He was presented with documentation and told he had two choices. He could sign it and post date a resignation and they would allow him to teach for the rest of the year... or he could fight it and lose his job/paycheck/benefits effective immediately. The document was basically a list of accusations against him. The #1 accusation was that my husband visited this student's home and had a 'drinking party' with students that night. The rest of the list was just as absurd and completely twisted. Anyone who knows me or my husband know that we don't drink. I think I've had a total of 3 drinks in my entire life... and he's had less. We were just raised very conservatively and it's just not something that we do.
When my husband came home and told me what had happened... I told him to please tell me he didn't resign. He said... at that moment, he felt like he had a gun to his head... all he could see was his family & he couldn't imagine telling me that we would lose everything in an instant. --- So he signed it. After that, he found out that he could contact union representation... and they tried to get the school to take back the resignation. Late that night, we were awakened to a telephone call from my husband's principle... telling him that he was no longer employed and would not be allowed to work the next day. I guess the pressure from the union upset them enough to submit his resignation immediately... instead of waiting for the end of the year as promised.
The administration spread terrible rumors about my family. That's not easy to deal with in any circumstance, but when you live in a small town... it's even more devastating.
So.... life has been a challenge --- financially, emotionally, and spiritually. I've come to rely on God in ways that I've never had to before. There have been long stretches of time where I've questioned whether or not my prayers have even been heard. I've wanted to scream and cry... and have a big fit (and sometimes I have). :) And... sometimes so much time passes and so many things keep going wrong that you just wonder where God is sometimes.
But... just at that point where I felt like I couldn't make it one more day... God stepped in and reminded me that He's always here... and never leaves my side.
About a month after the news of my husband's job... things went from bad to worse. In about a two week period, my car broke down and needed $1500 of repairs. Then... our basement flooded, destroying our furnace... and causing us to need to replace all of our exterior plumbing. It was the hottest day of the year, and we had no air conditioning. Then, a couple days later, my husbands car broke down. After that, our washing machine suddenly stopped working. I started to feel like Job from the Bible... and just waited for the boils to start growing on my skin. ;) I decided to take a bike ride to just vent a little... and discovered that my tire was flat. It was almost comical.
So... we prayed. It was one of those situations where you can't do anything else BUT pray. We had enough money from our tax return to pay most of the bill for my car (which was essential b/c I was the only one working at the time). My husband looked on Craig's list and found that someone in our tiny town had just listed a washing machine for sale... which we got for $25. He got online again and found someone in town who had just listed that they were looking to do auto repairs on the side... but didn't want to be paid. Instead, they wanted a laptop in exchange (I know... strange.) That day, my MIL called and mentioned that she just so happened to have a laptop at home that she had forgotten about & didn't need... and wondered if we could use it. So, my husband's $1K car repair was paid for with a 'free' computer. My brother came over and worked with my husband for 3 solid days... and they were able to replace over an acre of plumbing by themselves, saving us over $3-4K. My cousin, who hadn't been to my house in years, came over and was able to fix my air conditioning... free of charge!
"When I pray, you answer me! You encourage me by giving me the strength that I need"
I knew at that point that everything that had been done for us could only have happened through the work of God. And... even though we are still facing HUGE obstacles, I know that God is in control. Out of the billions of people on earth, God heard me pray and ask for a washing machine! LOL! And if He could provide me with a washing machine, He can provide for my family in the big things too.
I hope that my story gives you a little hope. There are a lot of people who are struggling in different areas in their lives. Maybe it's financial troubles... or health issues... or marital problems --- or maybe you just wonder deep inside if there really is a God out there -- and if He's there, does He even know what you're going through. I can speak through experience and say, Yes. Without a doubt, I KNOW that there's a God, and I know He cares about each and every one of us. And... even when it feels like all is silent and no one hears you in the middle of the night when you cry out... He hears. He really does. And, if you ask Him to prove it to you... watch out! --- because He will! :)
I hope to have a new message to send to you one day soon. Through all of the struggles we've gone through, I have to believe that there is a plan... and God is in control. I don't know why my husband was allowed to lose his job... and I don't know why my stinking bike tire had to go flat. ;) But... maybe one day I'll understand it all and can tell you all about the wonderful things God has done in our lives once again.
For those of you who made it this far... thanks for listening. I appreciate you guys! :)
Card Info:
paper & chipboard frame: Basic Grey's June Bug collection; computer generated sentiment; Zva Creative pearl flourish; Martha Stewart ribbon; the Paper Source cardstock; PTI white ink
What a terrific card and verse and a wonderful testimony to God's work in your life through this verse. Extra prayers heading your way!
Big Hugs,
Ruth C
Angelartistok