I was asked recently to be in my friend Becky's wedding & I was stressing out about it because I didn't want to have to say no because of finances. Once I talked to Becky about the details it seemed that I could save money on a lot of the costs by doing some things myself and just skipping out on some pampering. It got even better when she told me I could pick out my own dress; just had to be long and black. If you know me well, you know I like to find a good deal. So I have been searching online and thinking of any store I could possibly go to and find a cheap but beautiful dress. Well wouldn't you know God had a fun surprise for me. I had gone to several thrift stores and had no luck. But tonight I thought I should do a run to a different Goodwill. I wasn't really in the mood but I just felt like I should run there real quick. As soon as I got there and started looking at the dresses I spotted a possibility. I took it off the rack and looked at it. It was perfect! But first I had to see if it was the right size and price. Well it looked about the right size but there was no price tag. So I tried it on and it was perfect. I took it up to the front to ask about the price. The lady said since it didn't have a tag it was $12.99. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? I about did a praise Jesus dance right there in Goodwill. I'm still so excited. Oh my goodness tonight I was reminded of how much God cares about the small details. In a time where we are in a stressful financial situation I keep getting reminders of how God provides for us. He has not failed us one time. And I'm so grateful for moments like tonight. It's as if He is smiling and saying "I am always true to my word and I care about everything, even a dress."
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
I am blown away. God, again, has shown himself faithful. On Thursday I checked my mail. I opened a card from someone I didn't know and sat there stunned. Someone was blessed by this blog and chose to bless me. I am beyond grateful.
Why do I write this blog? I write it because I know there are hurting people that feel alone and need some encouragement. I write it for those who need to know that they aren't the only imperfect people with struggles they feel they should have conquered already. I just want to be honest and open so I can help others. I am flawed and that's okay. I'm working to become more like Christ and falling all the way to get there. It's not a surprise though, isn't that what we have been told it will be like. So why do we go through life feeling as though we aren't good enough? I still struggle with that, and sometimes feel that it's so ridiculous, but I know I'm not the only one. I do love my life, but when I stop focusing on what God has blessed me with, that's when I get stuck feeling jealous of others and wanting to be someone I'm not. I know that's not what God wants for me. I can't be my best if I'm constantly looking to be who I'm not.
There are some dreams God has given me and I'm working on those right now. I am not moving at the pace I probably should because I'm scared. Fear is trying to take over for what God has told me to do. What am I afraid of? A lot of things; what people might think of me, not being good enough, and making mistakes. But if I let fear hold me back people might miss out on a blessing God has for them because of my delayed obedience. I am going to listen to God and do my best to move forward. Mistakes and all. I believe that He will make something beautiful from something that seems so flawed to me.
Hearing people talk about taking vacations, going to the movies, shopping, out to eat, or their four year olds reading, writing, and drawing pictures, I find myself getting upset. Where we are right now is so different. We know we made the right choice a year ago but I’m feeling lost and unsure what to do. Still searching for a job while almost broke and to go along with that we are still having to try ten times as hard as some parents to teach Aiden the same thing other kids his age learn with ease. This is my current crisis. Of course in comparison to other problems in the world it might look like nothing. But that's not what it's about. Your trial is the hardest thing at the time for you. I’m trying to remember and trust what God’s word says.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
When Aiden was 15 months old I noticed something was different. He wasn't talking like the other babies and wasn’t hitting the milestones for speech. Everyone kept saying it's no big deal he will grow out of it. Well something inside me knew that wasn't true. I needed to get help. The months went by and kids his age continued to add words but Aiden didn't. He was so behind. For the longest time I could list off each word Aiden knew. For most parents that's impossible because their kids know so many words that they wouldn't be able to keep count. I always thought it was my fault. Did I not talk to him enough, did he watch too much t.v? Was God trying to teach me something? Surely I had done something wrong. The worst thing is when parents complain about how annoying it is that their child keeps talking and talking and just won’t be quiet. If only they knew how much I longed for that. I want to scream out of anger and frustration. Don't they understand that I'm praying for that very thing they are annoyed by?
I talked to some close friends and did a little research. We put Aiden in Easter Seals. He was in that program from the time he was 18 months until he turned 3. This past year he has been at Windermere Primary in a PPCD (Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities) class, and wow has he progressed! He is an amazing, smart, fun, happy little boy with quite a strong will, but I am happy he is who he is no matter the struggles and amount of hard work we have to go through. Some days I'm feeling good about Aiden's progress, but other days I start comparing him to other kids and I fall back into the comparison trap that makes me feel inadequate and frustrated. I know God made Aiden in His image. I want to see Aiden as God does. I will keep praying and trying my best to be patient with him, myself and to see the positive side of this stage God has us in.
Take that crisis and add a financial one to it. A year ago Justin and I decided he would leave his job after 11 years and start a new journey. We didn't think it would take this long, but knew we heard God so we listened and obeyed. He has always taken care of us but lately my flesh is getting the best of me. We are so close to running out of money and I get so scared. As much as I love my own kids, God loves me so much more! So why would He ever let us go without? I know He won't, but I'm still fighting the fear.
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?”
Never waste a good crisis. As much as we hate trials, aren't we usually stronger and filled with more faith after we go through them. We like to say that we know what we are going through isn't as bad as what others are going through, but there is no reason to make light of our own crisis. It doesn't matter in comparison, it is a trial to you and it is tough stuff. I don't want to go through life brushing off my problems because I feel bad for complaining just because I'm not going through as rough of a time as others. It all matters to God and we can't just push it away because it will always come find us again. We have to address the issues and stop wondering if we are being punished. God isn't out to punish me for my past sins. I am going through what I am because of lots of different reasons. But I don't want to waste a crisis. I want to be a better person after it. I want to understand, trust, and love God more. As much as I have wished this past year hadn't been as hard, part of me is thankful that God allowed us to go through it. I hope that other people can see Him working through us and see that no matter what comes our way we will not give up on God. I am now able to be a support to others that go through postpartum depression, unemployment, or their child's speech delay. I can't look at those things and be bitter, feeling that God wasn't there. He along with amazing friends and family have been there for us. The creator of the universe makes himself small enough to be with us in your weakest moments.... I can't waste this crisis. I want to use it to have more faith and reach out to others who are struggling with theirs. I want to be more positive in the way I speak about everything. I want to lift others up and encourage. God has blessed me and I don't want to disrespect Him by putting down His work.
I'm reading this over and over to myself because I'm still in it. I'm worried and scared but trying my best to lean on Him.
James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
-The joy comes from what you take from the trial.
I am so glad I was able to hear this 3 part series at our church. Take the time and listen to it.
