Last night Nevaeh asked me a question that got me thinking.
The answer surprised me and I thought I’d share with you because chances are
you have or you will face an experience similar to this one in your own life.
She said, “Did Union fire dad right after camp last year?” Now the question was
insignificant and why she was asking I really don’t know but it was the answer
that caught us all off guard. In my head I thought back to a year ago and
realized that we were on the eve of our lives changing. Many of you don’t know
this because Joel and I didn’t really make a big public deal out of it but on
June 30th 2015, exactly one year ago today, the church my husband
and I were serving at decided it was best to let him go. They gave a few
different reasons ranging from they were hiring in a new senior pastor who was
going to bring in his own youth guy, to they didn’t think Joel was happy in his
job. The reason didn’t matter anyhow-we were going to part ways and that was
that. I can’t tell you much about that day or the few leading up to it (we knew
it was coming-we found out Sunday that was the intention of the meeting
Tuesday). What I can tell you is how incredibly powerful it was when we invited
God to show up. We asked a few friends to join us at the church at 5pm that
night and pray over us before our 6pm meeting. I can’t describe the power that
was in that room but there were more tears of heartache and anger and finally
joy that God provided Joel and I with such a peace over the situation when we
went to meet with the 2 elders, it was a peaceful parting. I’ve joked with
others saying, if you ever have to get fired from a job-I hope it goes like
ours did. We thanked them for allowing us to serve God in that church for the
past 7 years. They thanked us-we hugged and parted ways. It was strange walking
out feeling relief when we walked in feeling scared. So a year has passed and
Nevaeh brings it back to my memory.
As I’m reflecting with her over this past
year I said, “you know Nevaeh, I realize only now that daddy and I were so
focused on the problem we didn’t see the plan.” We couldn’t really. We were too
focused on the problems like, “how will we pay bills?” “how will we feed the
kids?” “where will you work or what kind of work do you want?” So on and so
forth. We were so focused on the problems we were about to face we took our
eyes off God and his promise to us in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I
have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you.”
So here we
are exactly one year later and it’s been a great year. Were attending a great
church that we love. We look forward to worship and our kids are plugged in.
Joel has had the opportunity to get back to his roots and write stories for the
local newspaper as well as working with the Terre Haute Torpedoes coaching the
masters group. God opened doors for me that I didn’t even know were closed. I’m
going back to school in the fall and Joel will really become Mr. Mom then. He
has spent the last year getting to know his family more. Become closer to our
kids and let me tell you-it shows. All our children adore having daddy home.
He’s the best! Don’t get me wrong at times things are tight and we need to rely
on God to provide but the amazing thing-he has! We’ve had friends show kindness
and help provide us with food at times they didn’t know we were in need, and we
were. We’ve had friends give anonymously just to help at times when medical
bills were high and they didn’t know. We’ve had our car break down a few times
and right then God laid it on someone’s heart to give and help-and they did.
We’ve seen God move in so many miraculous ways because we allowed the storm to
roll knowing full well God was shielding us the whole time.
More than anything
as Joel and I were reflecting last night over this past year and we were once
again reminded of the words God spoke to us 365 days ago. God spoke this in my
heart, “Hailee-you don’t have to understand my plan. You just have to be
obedient” I pray that as you’re going through the storm and relenting to God is
a struggle-because it is. It was for us too. That you remember God has good
plans for you. When we focus on the problem and take our eyes off God we lose
sight of the plan. When we have full trust in the one who created us we can say
in full confidence, “Lord, I don’t understand what you’re doing but help me be
obedient to you.” I pray in your own prayer time today that you can say that to
God. And if you have faced a storm in your own life and don’t have that
relationship with Jesus then I don’t think you can experience the kind of peace
I’m talking about here. If you want to talk more about having peace in the
troubled times, ask Joel or myself. We are always here. Thanks for reading.
Have a purposeful day!
