Instead of a list of 13 things I am thankful for, I wanted to do something a little different today. I have refrained from sharing about part of my life here on my blog as I didn't want people to think I was asking for help. I struggled with how I could be real on my blog but yet not seem like I was looking for help. So, I just kept it all quite, only mentioning just briefly once or twice what has been happening. Today I am changing all of that with my thankful post.
Today I am getting ready to pay our bills and am quite thankful for every bill I am paying. In Nov of 05, while working, my husband slipped on some snow and fell- injuring his back. He herniated a disc in his back and has been in quite a bit of pain ever since. Over the course of a year he received some treatment and therapy while on worker's comp. October 18th of last year his employer decided his injuries would not heal sufficiently to return to work there but were not bad enough to keep him from finding a job and they cut his worker's comp pay. Needless to say, he cannot work.
Over the course of the last year we have lived without a paycheck or regular income of any sort. We have had a little money come in from here or there (tax return, unused vacation pay) but a good portion of it has been from God blessing us through the generosity of others.
We have managed to pay 12 house payments, 12 phone bills, 12 months worth of utility bills as well as insurance and gas for the van. We have not put any of it on our credit cards and we have not been delinquent with anything. We had a wonderful Christmas -due to many loving friends I think the kids had more presents last year then they do on a normal year! In reality we can see the hand of God over the course of the full two years we have dealt with all of this. Many times over the first year God supplied for a need even before we knew we had the need. But this past year has definitely been more then incredible.
Can I say how it happened? Not in my wildest dreams. It amazes me how God stretches a dollar to cover things. I find myself relating really well to the widow with the jar of oil that never ran out. It is with much gratitude to God that I pay our bills as it is all because of Him I am able to do so.
So this Thursday there will be no list of 13 things I am thankful for. Instead there will be one very grateful heart for the last 12 months during which God has moved mightily.
2 comments:
Wow, that is just so awesome! Praise God for providing and for being there when we need Him!! I am so encouraged!!!
((HUGS))
:) I love popping in to read your thankfuls - thank YOU for joining in :)
"O fearful saints new courage take
The clouds that you now dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face"
Kate, I've been where you are, not because of an injury, but simply because that's where God wanted us for a short time and that's where, in His Sovereignty, He put us. I say 'short time' because looking back on it, it was indeed short, but while we were in the middle of it, it was dragging on FOREVER!
Andy was self-employed for 14 years or so and we went through a season where He couldn't find work ANYWHERE. If he did, something would happen and it would take ALL of the money. This went on long enough for us to hit absolute rock bottom and it was truly a God thing. He was teaching us so much and we didn't even realize it at the time. It sounds like you have the right perspective. It is awesome to be able to look around or look back and see how God has moved mightily. If our lives were all rose gardens and sunshine, then we would never learn how much God really does care and how He guards us and protects us. We have to endure rough weather from time to time because it makes us grow.
I will continue to pray for you guys, that this 'test' or 'storm' will pass quickly, but that God will teach you all the He has for you during this season of your life. That little quote up above is from a song we sing at church. It is entitled "God Moves". If you wouldn't mind passing along your mailing address to me, I would love to send you out a copy of the CD. It's so encouraging and uplifting and very important during these times of testing to keep ourselves looking upward.... and that's what this CD helps me to do. I wouldn't mind at all sharing it with you. :) Hope you have a blessed day today!
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