Smile for the Joy of Others

Smile for the Joy of Others

Monday, March 23, 2009

Need Furniture?

As you have noticed in my past posts that I have used initials instead of names and haven't named the place of employment for my husband. Well, I am gonna make and exception for this one due to the situation.

Some of you already know that Jeremy has experienced a very recent (as in last Thursday) job change. Due to the slumping economy, he went from being the Corporate Trainer for Miskelly Furniture to a Sales Associate selling furniture. We were supported by a full time salary position to now a commission only position. While we are so grateful that he still has a job, the changes with this new position is very unpredictable, uncertain and uncomfortable. Commission only in this economy is not necessarily someone's first choice of job positions. However, any amount of income is better than none at all.

While we both have a certain level of worry and concern, we know whole heartily that God will provide in whatever way HE chooses. His ways and thoughts are not ours. There have been times in the past that we look back and are reminded of His unfailing love and His provision. One being about 4 years ago. We bought our current home in Oct. 2004, found out I was pregnant in Nov. 2004 and then later found out I was having twins in Dec. 2004. Who would have bought a house if they had known they were having twins 9 months later? We had accrued a mortgage and a family of 4 within 1 year, not to mention 2 car notes. Anyway, through His provision I am a SAHM with no car notes and 2 healthy, beautiful boys. It was only by His provision that we were able to have done that. He provided in ways that were beyond us. And I know He will do that for us during this time.

He has already shown me in little ways that He still takes care of His children. The Tuesday before Jeremy got word of his job change, I had planned to take the boys to the Zoo with my mom, dad, sister and abbey. The boys were so excited to go and went to bed talking about going to the zoo the next day. Well, Jeremy came home the night before with the news. I debated whether or not we should still go in attempt to immediately start saving more money. I told my family that I would let them know my decision the next day.

My sister called me the next morning and said that she had gotten in the mail... 12 "Buy 1 admission get 1 admission free" tickets to the Zoo. I cried when she told me that. I had prayed the night before that God would either help the boys understand why we couldn't go or that He would provide a way for us to go without me feeling guilty about spending the money. Maybe a small affirmation to some but it was God showing Himself in a BIG way for me.

That following Friday, I had to get CB a prescription filled for his runny nose. The medicine cost $30.00 even with our insurance. We went to Kroger got the medicine and came on home. About 2 hours later, I went to give CB his medicine with his snack. The medicine had not been mixed and was still a powder when it should have been a liquid. So I loaded the boys back up and headed back to Kroger. They mixed CB medicine up and for the inconvenience they gave me a $20 credit on my Kroger card. I stood there in tears when she told me that.

My tears must have shocked her because she asked if I was ok and quote, "$20 is all that we can give for this mistake". I told the girl, "Thank you so much. If you only knew what this $20 means to me right now. It's just another gift and affirmation of God's provision." "You see, it's not that $20 is that much, it's that God is so much more!"

Although we wouldn't choose this job situation for our family we are excited about seeing how God will work in our family. I can't wait for Him to reveal himself just as He did in the circumstances that I shared above. I can't wait to tell you, readers, about those times also. He expects us to expect that from Him. He wants us to look for those moments and recognize them. Will this be easy all the time....certainly not. A life in the will of God is not always easy and further more, He expects us to praise Him for these times and to be thankful for these hardships. "I will praise you in this Storm"

So in light of Jeremy's job change, if you need any furniture or know of someone who does, please come see Jeremy Bond at Miskelly Furniture. He will be working at the main store. His days to work are Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you are unable to visit or buy on those days, he can meet you on your days. They have a website you can browse before going to the store http://www.miskellys.com/

Until next time, "His eye is on the sparrow for I know He watches me!", HB

4 comments:

Jeremy and Christy said...

Please let me know if there is anything you guys need. We love you all and can't wait to see what God has in store for your family. He will use your story!

K Storm said...

Thanks for sharing those little blessings you got when you needed them the most. I don't think we notice them when things are going the way we planned, but more when we are being guided on a new uncertain path.

Michelle said...

Dear sweet Holly, what a beautiful testimony you have of a loving Father in Heaven. He is watching you and your wonderful family. It is very important to keep Him near.

Lately, I have really been thinking about what it means to cast my burdons on the Lord. I think we tend to think that "the burden" has to be something HUGE like sin or a great trial. And, although I have done my share of "casting" in those areas- I have come to a new understanding and view on what this should mean to us.

In Psalms 55:22 it says, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." He wants us to come to Him with every aspect of our lives. Whatever our burdens be: feelings of inadequacy, anger, helplessness, resentment, loneliness, pride, struggles with health, depression, anxiety, struggles with friends or family members, etc. He is there waiting to help us through it all!

In my little, human mind, it is difficult to believe that the Lord would be interested in everything I was doing! I have put this to the test over the past few months and I can promise you THAT HE DOES CARE! Somehow, in His infinate goodness, He cares! I have felt His love and His amazing grace in my life and I have truly felt those burdens lifting. I have seen change that has only come as I have learned to truly cast my burdens on Him!

T!ff@ny said...

HOLLY!!! This made me CRY!!! I have chills...that is so awesome!! (Not about the job of course but God's way of providing for his children!) That really makes me so happy to be a Christian. I can't even imagine how non-Christians would even deal with situations like this! To add to this:

We went to Miskelly's (the Room Store though) a few weeks ago b/c we really need some new furniture! Well we decided to wait (more like my HUSBAND decided to wait! Ha!). Yesterday a friend said her brother was looking for some used furniture and he wouldn't need it until May. My husband said just out of nowhere, "He can have ours...we will just go ahead and get some new furniture by the end of May." So there ya go!

It won't be until May but good to know we can help TWO friends. :-)