The Layoff...

I was laid off from my job three days ago. Initially I was stunned but excited by what God was going to do. Now it is becoming a bit more real that I really have lost my job. The timing of the surrounding events make the loss of my job a bit more significant. We are purchasing a house that closes in a week with $33,000 due at closing. The house is a great deal but needs repairs. In just this past week all of the following has happened.

The day before I was laid off I paid $3000 and signed a contract for $3000 more to redo the countertops in the new house. $1700 needs to be paid to the guy refinishing the floors. About $5,000 more will need to be spent in the house to make it functional. We spent $1400 on non-refundable tickets to Hawaii and a car rental for our anniversary. We paid $2500 to start our adoption of a girl in china that will cost about $20,000 and $500 toward a $2500 homestudy for that same adoption. To top it all off, in December when Zoe was careflighted from Susanville to Redding because of a strange sickness and possible broken neck, the insurance denied the claim for the careflight and we received a $17,000 bill.

The economy is terrible and there really aren't many jobs available but God is still faithful. It is in these times that I have always wanted to prove my faith and trust in God, and, true to form, He has given us the grace to deal with the situation in faith. This may be a time of change and we are reflecting on what God would have for us. Now is the time to see if I really believe he owns the cattle on 1000 hills. He is not required to help us but I know he will. He may not provide that help in the form of money but he will provide. We cannot trust in the security of money but in the Creator of all things. He will not leave us lacking in the things that matter most.

None of this was a surprise to God. He is on the move and we are ready to drop our nets and follow...