My husband Aaron is a landscaper and in my opinion a very talented one. In September 2011, he made the decision to leave his job working at a nursery to work for a landscaper in Westfield. Just last week, that landscaper laid Aaron off. Was it mistake for him to leave the job he had at the nursery? Why would God let this happen so close to Christmas? and at a time when medical benefits are crucial for both Ella and me?
Even as Christians, we question and doubt the Lord. We are still human beings with a sinful nature. You would think that after what I went through with Ella that my first instinct would be to trust. I didn't. I had about a 24 hour migraine laced pity party. I slept for 24 hours straight and woke up periodically to cry.
After that, I pulled it together and tried to review all of the challenges that God brought us through this year. Nothing is too difficult for Him. So we are waiting on the Lord to see what the plan will be. Is there something better for Aaron out there? Was the Lord protecting Aaron by removing him from a toxic boss?
I thought of a story that I heard right after 9/11. I don't remember who the author was so I can't give him credit. He was telling the story of what happened to him on that Tuesday morning. He started by saying that on 9/10, he was fired. He left his office in the Twin Towers devastated. He questioned God. Why would God let this happen to him? He was angry. Angry at his boss and angry at God.
He woke up Tuesday morning, September 11th and was still angry. He finally pulled himself out of bed and turned on the news just in time to watch an airplane crash into the window where he used to sit. He broke down immediately realizing that it should have been him. He got the answer to his question. God allowed him to be fired to save his life. God had a purpose for him. He was left on this earth for a reason.
It has been a week since Aaron was fired. We haven't seen the literal reason why Aaron was fired like the man on 9/11 did. Nonetheless, we know that there was purpose and reason behind it. We will try to patiently wait on the Lord.
Have you heard for sure how much longer you'll be covered by his health insurance?
ReplyDeleteI never try to read too deeply into any action or reaction that I see in life. Sometimes God seems to save us from situations. Like that man being fired on 9/10. Sometimes, like in the case of 20 dead children, He doesn't seem present. (Even though we know He is)
ReplyDeleteI spend less time these days straining to see God in every situation. Instead I look more to God's Character and rest in what I know to be true about Him.
God is good all the time. And when I struggle with life's questions that seem to have no answers, I rest more on what I know then on what appears to be a visible and understandable reason.
When we see that God saves us and works favorably in our lives, we feel comfort and relief. When we do not see evidence of His hand at work, we feel abandoned. Best to look at what we know for sure. That God is good, God is powerful and God is loving. We can find comfort and security in who God is, not in what He does or doesn't seem to do.
We can never do anything about decisions that we have made in the past and the consequences that have fallen out of those decisions. We can only take a deep breath and find comfort in the palms of God's tender and supporting hands and hide securely under His wing. Where there is protection from the storms that attack our lives.
Do not try to figure out why or what. But rest in Who.
Matt was fired from a lab management job in 2003. He was making $50,000 a year and we thought it would be the end of the world. We had a mortgage we were drowning in, 2 car payments and a 3 year old. I was working but had no insurance and made less then $20,000 a year.
ReplyDeleteHe was offered a new job in 2004 out of the country but a fresh start. They paid to move us, our rent, John's private school tuition, car, groceries for the 2 1/2 years we lived there and he got a pay check. We put our house up for sale in Freehold the week before we moved. 3 days after landing on the Island of St. Croix we got an offer on the Freehold house that would pay the mortgage and give us $40,000 to put in savings. Now almost 10 years later he is making 5 times more than when he was fired. He is a Vice President, has a beautiful company car, 401K, great health insurance and we have gotten to see a lot of the world. We travel with him when John is out of school, sometimes just I go so he doesn't miss school. Since it is a company trip - we share the same room all expenses covered. We even own a bigger home that cost less than our first home in Freehold. Will own it free and clear in about 5 years.
God has a plan - just trust in it. Tears and pain are sometimes a great learning tool even though sometimes we are to blind to see it.
I will pray for you. I wish you and your family the best.