It is hard to believe that a year ago today we were in a totally different place. My husband like many around the nation lost his job of 11 years in September of 09. We immediately went to prayer and had many others praying with us. We began networking and letting everyone we know, that we were looking for a job. We started the resume process and followed every bit of advice we could from “job searching experts”. Although the economy was tough, we prayed that my husband’s time unemployed would be short and that we would prevail as believers and get a job quickly.
However, that didn’t happen, and for the first couple of months we barely received any phone calls.
Everyone we knew was getting the word out, even our pastor took our resume to pass out, but still nothing. His old company gave us several months’ membership to a career management expert to help with resume and interview skills. His old clients cared for him so much, that, even they made phone calls to higher ups and other employers but NOTHING came.
We begin questioning everything;
Didn’t God call us to homeschool?
Did he want us to keep our home, should we put it up for sale?
Should I look for full time work?
And on and on the questions went. We truly just wanted what HE wanted for us, but at times we didn’t know what that was.
Although things looked bleak, God was so good to us. When people say you are the closest to HIM in the valley they mean it, we clinged to God during those months and we saw the most amazing things happen. We never asked for money from anyone yet it poured in on many occasions. One particular incident was a co-worker of my husbands that was still with the company that barely knew him sent him a facebook message one night telling him that God laid it on his heart to send us money, a few days later 500 dollars showed up in the mail.
I could write a book on all the blessings God gave us during this time.
After 5 interviews and 400 applicants with a particular company my husband got a job in August 2010, almost a full year later.
We learned as a family to give every need to the Lord, sometimes even a want. I recall one time I prayed for a grill, I told the Lord I knew I didn’t have to have it but we enjoyed grilling out so much and ours broke that if HE saw fit maybe one would come our way. One week later my father in law called and said he saw grills on sale and thought of us and bought it, we never even mentioned our want of a grill to him.
My kids learned that we needed to depend totally on God for everything in a much deeper way and when they saw such incredible answers it deepened their faith. We learned most of all that a job is one way God meets our needs but it is not our provision. Sometimes even as Christians we forget that putting our faith in our jobs, our family, or other things will let us down and that HE is the only thing that never fails us. I always say that I never want to come out of a trial the same woman, what a waste that would be. I want to come out stronger, wiser and closer to my Savior and 2010 certainly did that for me!
By Angela Richter, Angela’s Analysis
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Lib says
This started for us in 2006, and as you said, a job (or contract) is just 1of God’s way of providing… But He’s got more ways than we can count!
Angela says
Isn’t God GREAT? HE always takes care of us and knows exactly how to do it!
Heather says
I know the story from beginning to end and I still feel the moments of waiting, wondering, praying and than rejoicing that you felt during this time. You are a woman of strength, integrity and graciousness Angela. Even though I know there had to have been days of doubt and worry…you always reflected that “blessed assurance” of God’s love for your family to those around you. So glad to call you a friend “in real life” as well as in the “blogging community”. Thank you for sharing your story.
Heather
Angela says
Thanks Heather for such a sweet comment! Wow, you have made my day with such sweet comments about me! Thank you for your words and your friendship! I was so grateful to have my coop friends praying for my family during the rough times of looking for a job, There is nothing like the Body of Christ when you are in need, I’m so grateful everyday to have such women of God and mighty prayer warriors in my life!
Love
Angela
Dawn says
Angela,
When I read your post, the breath caught in my throat. Your story is almost identical to mine! My husband got a job in June of 2010 after 16 months without a job. (lost his job of 22 years in January of 2009.) Much like you, we saw God’s miraculous provision. I learned that my security did not come from a weekly paycheck, or money in the bank, but from my Lord!
Angela says
Amen!
Amy says
This is such a timely post for me today – thanks for sharing your story!
Alison says
What an encouraging story!!! My husband was also laid off in Oct. of 2009. Although God gave us several part time jobs! I already work full time. But after 6 weeks the new company let him go, saying they couldn’t afford him. Talk about being deflated!!!
Your story really helps me to put things in perspective, God is the provider- not our jobs!!!
My daughter is graduating from college on May 21 st. 2011. I really feel God wants me there along with my husband ( her stepfather). Would you pray for us? Thanks! And keep on Home schooling. the daughter I have was homeschooled through 10 th grade. & thanks
me for it a lot!!!
God bless your family!
Angela says
I will pray for your family, I’m so glad the article encouraged you! Keep the faith, HIS answer will come!
Susanne says
Reading this made me feel so good! Thank you!
Amy says
This is such beautiful worship to share how *beauty was made from ashes* in the trials you and your family faced. There is no new truth, and yet there are new ways to say it and live it, and your own living has ministered to me in a big way. Knowing the truth doesn’t seem to help my questioning of God and the aching I have (for another child). I wrote about it in a recent post (below), and as hard as it is to trust Him I know in my spirit that I’ll be stronger for this longing being stretched out before my heart cry is answered. Just when I think I’ve given Him every part of me, He tests me again and again until I really do get it – to really trust Him.
Rich blessings…
(Here’s the recent post that I wrote that your post made me think about…)
http://arock4him.blogspot.com/2011/03/resting-in-trust-of-my-belay.html
Angela says
I will be praying for you as you wait! Boy do I know waiting is So hard! It is one of those top things that is the hardest to deal with many times. You have a beautiful way of writing your words down! God has gifted you in writing, may you find it theraputic as you wait for your answer!
Liss says
Great article. Very encouraging. Your faith during your trial was a real blessing to me 😉 And the way God provided for you never ceased to amaze me. He is so wonderful! And you’re so right, you are closest to God in the valley. What a blessing it is to have that knowledge. He’s all I can cling to when I’m in trouble.
Lauralee Hensley says
But with prayer and supplication make your requests known unto God.
I don’t think that always means just the needs, I also think it means the wants if they aren’t anything against the will of God.
God is good, we just have to wait for his timing, which isn’t always our timing.
Tamille says
Great post! I am currently in the midst of unemployment and waiting on God for an answer. Your words were very encouraging and as I choke back fear and panic I reflect on the fact that there is no need to be afraid as the Creator of the universe knew what would happen to me before I was even formed and has a plan for me….better than what I have in mind for myself!
The waiting is hard but I am determined to trust HIM.
Thanks and keep me in your prayers. I know my breakthrough is coming soon!
Angela says
You know, someone told me during my journey once “enjoy the ride” I thought how crazy is that, how do you enjoy something so hard? But I understood what she was saying, I look back and see the most amazing things happened to us during that time, things I don’t see on the day to day basis-stay on your knees and give all your needs to God and you will see them too. There is something beautiful about learning to trust even more(a real peace comes from it) and HE does have a plan for you. My prayer is that it comes soon, I will be praying for you!
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