The Light in the Shadows
My stomach gnaws on worry. My mind races trying to beat the fears down with truth. I know we aren’t supposed to be anxious. I shared Proverbs 16:9 with a friend just last night:
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
So why does it seem harder to trust God to direct someone else’s steps?
It’s been a long two years. My husband lost his job in 2007. Everything he’s done since then has been fits and starts. Temporary work, part-time jobs, continuing education classes. We thought provision had finally come.
On our trip to Idaho, he heard about a job driving from Southern Idaho to Seattle once a week. He applied. He was told to keep in touch. Then confirmation came, “When can you start?” Two weeks later, Dylan left.
He’s been training. But were words misunderstood or enthusiasm misread? Whatever the reason, the door slammed shut.
Now we grope along the wall looking for another opening. I long to escape this dim gray fog. I want to see where these steps will take us. The path behind this door seemed so perfect. So comfortable. I could paint and pack knowing the bills would be paid.
Plodding past hope still swinging on hinges, I try not to look back. I must trust God to lead my beloved.
There is light in the eyes of Providence. He beckons us to continue walking, searching. He will open a door we don’t even know exists yet. He will expose the beauty in the darkness. He will reveal the other side of the glass.
Until then, the mist reminds me to look to the one who radiates the full spectrum and scatters my path with glimmers of the rainbow.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Oh Renae – so sorry – Will be praying for you guys! Is Dylan familiar with horses at all? I know of a job that includes a farm house to live in for a single lady that owns a horse ranch – she is in need of someone knowledgeable about horses. Sounds like the wages are very good.
Hugs,
Mandi
Mandi,
Thank you so much. Even though we lived around farms and ranches, Dylan never learned anything about horses.
His real passion is ministry. This job would’ve given him time to do that and support our family. We will see where God leads. I know he’s in this roller coaster with us.
I know your pain.
We’ve been there. It was 10 years for us. God provided every step of the way – but it was a dark time.
Yet, somehow in the darkness, we found God in a deeper and more real way.
Learning to give up and just trust is really hard.
We’ll be praying.
Melinda
Melinda,
10 years? Ah! My first cry is, “Dear Lord, please not that long!” But I didn’t know how we would make it through the past two years, but, just as you’ve experienced, God has provided every step of the way.
Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. It helps to know that others have made it through.
Oh, Renae. I’m so sorry. I will pray for your family.
That really stinks! I’m so sorry.
Praying for you all Renae. Re HOTM, I sent you a message on Facebook. Take care!
Oh Renae, I’m really sorry to hear about the job. I will pray for you all. Suzi
So sorry to hear this news, Renae! I know how excited you were to be going back. Prayers for peace, comfort, wisdom, and grace for you all…
Oh bummer – you know I was being selfishly motivated there a little because the job would have brought you within a half hour of us!! I know God will provide and I will keep you and your family in my prayers sweet friend!
Renae, I am so sorry! You and your family are in my prayers!!
Hi Renae,
I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s job. My husband lost his job a little over 3 months ago. He has just last week found another, although not in his chosen profession. Picture framers are not in demand during a recession!!
I hope & pray that all will go well with your family and we know that the Lord will always provide. Thanks for the encouragement. We are thankful for the new job, but we also have had dark times in other areas of our life, which are far from over.
Blessings,
Rachael.
Renae,
I just came across your website today and it touched me…we are going through the fire also and I want to thank you for the verses and your words and encourage you and lift you up in His glory.
Our trials have been ongoing for two years also so I feel an instant connection. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and my husband lost his job of 10 years in November 2008. It’s been a walk of faith and we’ve had valleys of despair and mountains of victory but GOD has provided for us all along the way! Yet we still FEAR & DOUBT and forget to rest assured in His word and His power! It’s just hard, even for the most faithful. We must go to Him and surrender it to Him and do our best to continue each day and wait for the manna to fall! Praying His blessing and provision for you & your family- Tiffany in
Texas
That “twilight zone” – where you don’t know for sure where you’re going to end up – that’s the hardest! It’s not always easy to accept your lot, but it’s still easier than waiting to see what your lot will be!
Praying for you guys. We’re in a similar situation here – not quite the same, but still not sure where we’re going from here.
Mozi Esmes Mommy´s last blog ..Wordless(ful) Wednesday – The Fair
Hope you know this already, but we’re praying for you, too. That seeing through a glass dimly stuff is not the easiest. I heard an analogy once I really liked.
God is weaving a beautiful tapestry of our lives. The problem is, we only see the bottom, with only a tangle of loose threads and the barest hints at a pattern emerging before it is lost in another jumble.
The other side, however, is perfect and beautiful. (And all those tangles hold the threads in place.) :)
Dana´s last blog ..Slow Language and dealing with internet noise
To some it would seem so easy to blame God, but the patience of dealing with circumstances finds its foundation in hope. May we never lose that hope that only God can supply!
Blessings,
Melissa
Melissa´s last blog ..Him Who Is Greater
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Dear Sweet Renae,
Lifting you and your family to our Great Provider…your posts touched me…I’m humbled…
Love,
Miiko