(you may want to get a cup of something to drink and sit down for awhile!)
Sometimes the waters are rough. It can make it hard to see the rainbows. Rainbows...Gods' covenant with you me and every living creature for all generations to come.
"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." Genesis 9:14-16
The last 2 years have been a particularly trying time for my family. I have not shared about this before on my blog. But now I have to share with you what has transpired and the deep thankfulness my family and I are feeling at this time.
In 2007 my family moved to the Seattle area for a new job that my Husband had been given with a large company here. It was so great for us because he had just been laid off from a company he had been employed with for 17 years in the Chicago area. A great company that Hubby was sad to leave. They were very good to him when it came time to part ways. We were originally from the Seattle area and all of our family is here so even though we were going to miss our "Illinois Family" we felt that this was the best possible thing that could have happened. Shortly after our move here we could tell that we were in store for a rough ride...rough waters you might say. It was a year and a half ride on a roller coaster. I'm not a big roller coaster fan, just so you know.
On February 13th, 2009, my Husband came home from work early. The bad economy had struck home and Hubby wasn't going to be going back to work the next day. Little did we know what we were in store for. Two years of unemployment. If someone had told me that it would be that long of a journey I don't think I could have handled it. In that two years we have grown in ways you just can't believe. We scratch our heads in disbelief when we think about how God sustained our family during this journey. Quite honestly...it just doesn't make any sense.
God grew us and our hearts. It gave us a new sense of appreciation for the struggles that so many people are facing. It humbled us beyond belief. We witnessed miracles during this time. One time we went as a family to serve at a homeless shelter. Hubby's mens' group actually arranged for all the families to go and serve there. One of the families provided chicken. 72 pieces which was plenty. At least we thought it would be...120 people showed up that night. One of our boys was serving the chicken and without realizing that we didn't have enough, out of his generous heart, he gave each person 2 pieces. They were small pieces after all! Do you know that every person there that night got chicken. I am not making this up and I don't have any explanation for it. I do know that after that night I went away not questioning that God could provide. It helped so much to remember that night during our journey. We would remind each other of the chicken.
Remember that company that my Husband worked for in Illinois. I am thrilled to tell you that Hubby is now employed with them again! Last week they offered Hubby a job...a job here in Seattle! We don't have to move!!! Lots of tears...lots of praising and praying to God...lots of humbleness. We are speechless and grateful beyond belief.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." Isaiah 43:2-3
To those of you that may have known about our journey we want to thank you for your prayers and support. It has meant more to our family than you will ever know. To those of you that know someone that is going through a journey similar to ours...please feel free to share our story. Most of all, be sure to not feel awkward about calling them and asking them how they are doing. It's a very lonely time and you can feel very isolated. Those calls and small gestures speak volumes to the person on the journey.
Blessings,
Meagan
