Thankful Thursday is a weekly column where I post what I am thankful about that week, and you have the opportunity (via your blog linked into this post OR via a comment on this blog) to share your thankful thought for the week.
You know that this is going to be an honest post when I am writing it with tears in my eyes.
It has been a rough week at work. Due to the slowdown of the economy which pretty much brought the commercial construction industry to a halt, our company has not been nearly as busy as usual. We knew it was headed in a slow direction, and we were adamantly praying that God would provide new work.
Chris and I have been praying fervently for weeks. I have prayed for each individual at work daily – that God would allow us to have work to keep them employed. We have prayed that God would provide a sacrificial lamb (a job) just in time to keep anyone from having to be laid off. We have believed that God was going to wow us with His perfect timing and miraculous provision.
But it hasn’t happened.
Chris had to lay two guys off on Tuesday that were very dear to him. This was a hugely gut-wrenching decision and process. It broke our hearts.
So I’m sure you’re wondering where the thankful part of my Thursday is going to come in.
I cannot stress enough that I am SO thankful.
I am thankful that no matter what, God IS still in control and He DOES know what He is doing. I would surely be in despair and panic right now were it not for my belief in the fact that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28) and “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8-9).
I am absolutely CONFIDENT that God is working his best plan out in our lives, as well as our friends that happen to be employees of the company. God does not forsake His children, and He WILL provide. That doesn’t mean that God won’t let us go through trials, because “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4). Also, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. “ (Rom. 5:3-5).
The thing is, some of the richest times in my life have been birthed out of great pain. God uses pain. Pain draws us closer to Him than anything else, because it reveals our utter humanness and our desperate need for a Savior.
We have prayed with all of our hearts. We have sought His will. We have followed as best as we could. All we can do now is rest in His arms and wait.
And I am thankful for that peace, rest, and confidence in the midst of storms.
OK – your turn!! What are you thankful for today? Leave it in a comment, or if you have a blog, write a post on your blog and link it in with Mr. Linky (at the bottom of this post), and you can have the pleasure of welcoming my wonderful readers to your site!
To use Mr. Linky to link to your blog, just type in your name in the first slot, then copy and paste the URL of your blog post in the second one and click “Enter” – then there will be a link to your post from my blog! ***be sure to put the link to your actual “Thankful Thursday” post – not just your main blog URL.***
I’m sorry about having to lay off 2 people. It’s happening everywhere, isn’t it? And you’re right, God is amazing and I know He has great plans for all of us. And He ALWAYS provides!
Today, I am Thankful for the rain we are getting. We have a 12 inch deficit and have been in drought conditions for almost 2 yrs now. Yesterday we got almost 2 inches and today, it’s predicted to get up to 3 inches. God is GOOD!!
Rachel, I am sorry about all you and your husband are going through, but I am encouraged by your words.
Wow. It sounds like you’ve had a difficult week. I’m sorry it’s been painful. You are right though that God will work though the storms and trials. :)
GREAT post, Rachel. I’m so sorry it’s been a hard week on you. The verse you shared from Isaiah 55 about God’s thoughts being higher than ours has been on my mind and heart a LOT lately. Sometimes it can be frustrating to hear that verse, but if we know that our God is good all the time and He is faithful to fulfill Rom.8:28 and Jer. 29:11, then knowing that His ways are higher and that we’re not expected to understand them can give us great comfort and peace.
I’m so sorry that you guys have had such a difficult week and can still find a way to honor God through it all! Because it’s Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the ability to laugh and to be able to laugh at ourselves sometimes!!