Job Update

Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. . . . That's right. Because I, your GOD, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, "Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.' (Isaiah 41:11, 13 MSG)

It's been almost eleven weeks since Roger was laid off, the last ten or which he's been diligently searching for a job. And yet, there's nothing. 

Yes, it's been hard, waiting for the Lord to open doors when all we see are closed ones. And yes, I admit to having times of panic. But we are still choosing to trust God in this trial. 

He is proving Himself faithful and good. He has provided in a variety of ways to meet our needs. I have plenty of work, both for the publishers I work for and from individual clients. Roger has had several opportunities to volunteer his construction expertise to ministries in need of it, so in between spending time on the Internet looking for jobs, he's keeping busy doing what he loves to do. 

As I face yet another incredibly packed week, I received these verses this morning in my quiet time. I'm exhausted from trying to keep up with the deadlines. And I've caught myself saying to the Lord, "I can't do this. I can't keep up." I'm thanking Him that He has a hold of me, that He won't let go, that HE gives me the strength to continue on. I don't need to panic, and thankfully those times are much fewer and farther apart than they would have been had this happened a year ago. 

Roger does much better in the trust department than I am—always has. But of course, he's had some moments as well. He would love to be able to be the primary breadwinner again. But most of all, he wants God's will in whatever he does, whether he's working or waiting. We are both learning more of God in this time. And we are thankful for all the prayers going up on our behalf. God is answering, just not necessarily in ways we expected. 

So we continue to wait. One day the doors will start to open and we'll see even better what wonders the Lord has prepared for us. We can wait, confident that God is working all things for our good and for His glory.