His Mercies Are New, Every Morning…
Lamentations 3:22,23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.”
It’s been 1 year since Brad lost his job due to the economy’s hit to commercial site development, God’s sovereignty.
One whole year.
Looking back, I can honestly say it’s been more blessing than hardship. Yes, there have been multitudes of uncertainties, and days I haven’t trusted the Lord to provide.
There have been times that I’ve forgotten to pray about our situation, and days when I’ve even missed the routine and predictable pattern of a husband working away from home. There have been days when I’ve spoken irrationally and allowed my anxiety to taint my words. There have been many days that I’ve failed to be encouraging to my best friend.
Even now, 365 days later, I struggle with the unknowns of not yet having a fully replaced income.
But you know what?
God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good.
He is faithful. He is trustworthy. He is present. He is compassionate. He is glorious.
His mercies are new, Every. Single. Morning.
I could tell you example after example of how the Lord has provided for us over these last 12 months. He has allowed us to pursue creative avenues, allowed others to encourage us, given us opportunities for us to labor together, and blessed us in ways we do not deserve.
And the opportunity for him to work at home with our 3 year old boys in the room next door? It’s been absolutely priceless.
***Thank you for your continued love, support, prayers, and encouragement through this journey as we watch, wait, and see what God has in store for our family.***
QuatroMama
PS Monday is my birthday, and I’m celebrating here on the blog with a really great giveaway you won’t want to miss! See you on the flip side of 30!
Jen,
I was laid off about 2 years ago. I decided then I would stay at home and provide in-home childcare. It has truly been a blessing given all that has happened in the last 2 years. Sometimes we have a hard time seeing the good in a bad situation. I am so thankful for your blog it helps me see the light at the end of the tunnel in parenting, life and in my faith. Wish you and your family all the best!!
PS- we share the same birthday! HAPPY “early” BIRTHDAY!!!
Nikki
I like how you changed the “due to” phrase to God’s sovereignty. It took me awhile to get to that way of thinking after my husband lost his job in Jan ’09. But I did get there eventually but I had to see it first (oh ye of little faith!). He never would have started his own business if it hadn’t been for being laid off. And over the course of the last 20 months, even though there’s been stress (a lot of stress) over money, it became more and more obvious that working for himself was a much better fit for him than working for someone else.
Doesn’t make it easier, doesn’t make the stress go away but it does help me see things for how they really are, God’s sovereignty.
oh!!! we had that kind of adventure 12 years ago!!
We started with three years paying for two houses because the first one didn’t sell…
When it sold at last… badly… my husband lost his job… exactly a week after we were rejoicing… we stayed many years with out carpets and paints on the walls…
And he was out of work for four long years…
I always said we have to be happy now, not wait for better tomorrows… and we exprerienced many blessings! Infact it is so exciting to see how God provides!
Joyeux anniversaire!!
We share the same birthday, hee hee. Happy Birthday to you!
Great post! My husband has been out of work twice, the second time was especially hard, I can only imagine how hard 12 months unemployed must be. Glad you’re finding silver linings and God’s provision.
What a beautiful post Jen, a great reminder, and the struggle with giving it to and leaving it with Him. I definitely can relate. Matt was laid off when I was pregnant with the quads (freaked out about money, insurance, etc.), but it left him able to care completely for Ethan while I lived at the hospital for 2 months, the biggest source of my anxiety, worry, etc. Of course we can see how perfectly it worked out looking back, but in the moment, I always have to remember He knows, He planned it this way, but it can be hard. Thanks for sharing this! I know you have many who can’t wait to see how amazing this story is going to turn out…and how inspiring you all are. Michelle
A precious post. God’s sovereignty is the best place to rest and trust. Love, hugs and loads of prayers!
Myra
I saw the title of your post and I thought, “Yes,” and “Thank you for reminding me.” I woke up very discouraged this morning. My husband and I are going through a terrible, rough time right now (but not with each other). It’s even harder when other people extend judgment instead of mercy and grace. I’m glad God doesn’t do that. At least we have the blessing of loving each other. It truly could be worse. And God is providing for us. Thank you for this encouraging blog post. And Happy Birthday! I had no idea your birthday is so close to mine. Mine is the 7th.
Your spirit amazes me.
It’s so hard to not know the details of the future. I pray that God will continue to sustain you and provide overwhelming peace about it all.
Oh my friend…you know I know, but it doesn’t mean it’s a long road regardless. He is faithful and provides in such unexpected ways. I think that was the most amazing part of our journey, His unexpected grace when I least deserved it. 🙂 XOXO
“In all things, give thanks!” …and that is exactly what you are doing! God is good!
Jen,
I’ve read your blog for a long time but never commented! But I just wanted to tell you that you and your family are definitely in my prayers. My dad lost his comfy corporate job when I was a junior in high school and then again when I was a junior in college when the economy tanked, and those were some very hard days for our family. The first time he was unemployed about eight months and the second time it was almost a year. My mom teaches in a Catholic school so her income wasn’t that great, but we made it through! They had always been savers, thank goodness, and managed to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads and our college tuitions paid for. It’s a miracle that it all worked out, and while it was extremely trying during the unemployement, it definitely didn’t hurt us in the long run! I’ll keep praying for you gusy! Hope you’re having a nice weekend.
Amen! Thank you for the reminder of God’s goodness and sovereignty. May God continue to bless you and your family!
It’s so nice to read of someone else’s optimism. God is good, and never let’s us down. Somehow he always makes sure we have what we need! My husband just wetn back to work last month after being out of work for almost a year. I couldn’t tell you how we survived that long without income. God works in mysterious ways. Your family will be in my prayers, and it will all work out for the best!
Happy Birthday!
Beautiful post, Jen! God’s already been before you–He saw this year before it happened and He sees the next–AND he’s got you in his righteous right hand! (Isaiah 41:10) Happy Birthday! (30?!!)
Your boys are just precious!! I work from home too and thank the Lord each day for the blessing of being able to be a stay at home mom and work. I hit the Mommy lottery 😉
the bad thing about the internet: stuff in on there forever.
the good thing about the internet: stuff is on there forever!
thanks for your post by God’s grace it’s still ministering to me today. 🙂
Thank you so much for encouraging my heart today, Kim. It’s only through His grace that allows my words to be something at all.
Morning…Just ‘happened’ to find your blog this morning Kim, as I was looking up the same scripture you used, to encourage my friend as her 6 week old grandbaby, Kaysen had a heart transplant a few weeks ago. I love how God lets us find more treasures, such as your blog, when we are looking for something else we think.
My husband had been out of work 4 years before he found another job at a store in receiving…..he had carpentry skills so he was able to do a few ‘side jobs’ now and then. The job he has now in receiving does not pay much, but it’s work for now. And good for his mental state. God does provide, but it’s not much fun some days. So thankful His mercies are new every morning..Praying for you all as you wait on God. Also thankful to find your blog…..
Sorry Jennifer….I put the wrong name for you in my comment…