Dear Friend, I would like to encourage you when things seem like nothing good is happening. It may be a loss of a job or low finances. These two areas I know about. A few years ago my husband lost his job after 10 years of employment. They insisted he do more paperwork, travel more and work more on weekends through out the month than he wished to participate in. We turned everything over to God, since both of us are believers. We had also just started to tithe. Now what do we do? It was not easy. My husband went on unemployment and looked for work. He was trained enough that he felt he could get a job soon. We trusted God to help with the bills and I looked for a full time job. At that time I was working at a part time job. Money got tight but we were able to eat and keep afloat. From spring thru fall I looked for work and finally landed one in October. My husband found a temp job but that ended after a month because of the company having money problems. The job where I worked hired him in late November to make calendars. Then he did other things for the company then wound up getting the job he'd been waiting for since Nov. He is still employed with that company--2 years this next February. Then I became unemployed 4 months after my husband got his job. But I found one at a new mall that was opening up, close to our home. So I was out of work for 2 months before another real pay check came. Unemployement money for me helped a little. Through all these trials we prayed and remained faithful to God in our lives, thru our meager giving and loved one another. We had to ask for food from our church a couple times to be able to pay bills. Though trials came, God is faithful to his children. It doesn't matter what the circumstances are. He hears us when we call. Whatever your situation, call on the name of the Lord for help and he will listen. He may not answer exactly how you want him to. He knows all/and sees all. Love your family through all the trials because it is hard on them too. You need to give each other support and be there for each other. Our children's faith grew through this situation. They know how God helped out our family. When Christmas came around, I didn't even want to celebrate Christmas because of the shortage of money.But our son dug out the fake tree and we all put out the ornaments. Other people in our family made the day special for us by giving more than we ever hoped for. It's a special Christmas I will always remember!! People helped my daughter with food and a few clothes when she was at college. Two of her roommates bought her a dress so she could go to the winter formal!!! Hang in there!! God won't throw you in the belly of the whale like he did Jonah to get your attention, if you are doing something wrong. We just need to know how to listen in the stormy times of our lives. It's not easy to weather the storm, but with God on your side, you will stay afloat and come out on the other side of the storm a seasoned sailor with a story to tell. God bless you. May you rest in your storm with our hope and anchor, Jesus. Till next time,
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