Our cup runneth over (long)

sancraft · #1 01/31/08, 12:22 AM

I have been grappling with the "why me" for a while now. It seems like every time I take 2 steps forward, I end up having to take 10 back. Each time it happens, I batten down the hatches and prepare for rough seas. Well, my daddy always said that trouble is a lesson waiting to be learned. And the quickest way out of it is to learn from it. So each time something happens, I say to God, what am I supposed to learn from this. This time, I stepped back and studied myself.

1. Every time that trouble comes, I pray for God to guide me through it, then I proceed to "handle" it myself.

2. After much wringing of hands, missed sleep (or sleeping too much), I whine and complain to God that he is not doing anything until the last minute, then I proceed to try and "handle" it.

3. I get ticked at God and say forget it, and I proceed to "handle" it.

4. I give up and say, God, I've done all I can, please handle this. Then I proceed to get out of the dang way and God handles it.

So, when I lost my job (tomorrow is my last day) due to outsourcing, I first went into despair. Oh no, what I am I going to do mode. Then I started desperately applying for every job imaginable (thank goodness I'm too old and fat to apply at a strip club LOL). Then I asked God "Why me?" Whine, whine, sniff, sniff. Then... I had an ephithany! "What am I supposed to learn?" Well how about letting it go and letting God handle it.

It dawned on me that I pray for God to help me and then get my own big butt in my own way. Things always work out at the last minute because I wait to the last minute to actually let God help me.

So...I hit my knees (achey and arthritic as they are) and I prayed for God to help me get myself out of His way. Then I went to bed and slept the best sleep I've had in weeks.

And guess what? Two days later, a new project was posted at my job for which I qualify. An application that I submitted was accepted and I have that job, and another app that I put in months ago contacted me about a job. And my daughter got hired yesterday for a new job (she's been hunting for work too) and got a lead on a very promising job with the city for which she applied.

So now we've gone to everyone out of work to jobs a plenty, in a failing economy. So to quote my dear daddy again, "You can't beat God giving."

Peacock · #2 01/31/08, 12:43 AM

It's amazing how things work out sometimes.

Granted I've had an easier life than some, but I can honestly say that not ONE bad thing has happened in my life that didn't have a silver lining. Sometimes I'd rather do without the silver lining to keep things as they were, but God has other plans for me.

And maybe our lesson is to accept HIS plans for us, instead of insisting upon following our own.

Good for you, San. I hope everything works out!

Alice In TX/MO · #3 01/31/08, 01:08 AM

Bless you, friend. I'm glad things are going your way. It's a reminder to me that I need to let go and let God.

THANK YOU!

tallpines · #4 01/31/08, 01:11 AM

Praise, God!

Sancraft, what a wonderful testimony!

While I've not had as chalenging of turmoils as you seem to face, I have been giving my problems to God, and for the last several months He has been doing so many wonderful things in my life.

It really helps to remember, the sooner I turn it over to God, the sooner He lets me see the good in whatever the situation may be.

Just today, I turned a frustration over to Him, and I'm almost excited to see what He wants me to learn from the situation.

Thanks for your uplifting post.

So happy you have a new job and the future looks bright for you

Scrounger · #5 01/31/08, 03:54 AM

That's the ONLY way to do it! Let HIS will be done, not ours.
Thanks for sharing.

suzfromWi · #6 01/31/08, 04:50 AM

Good for you.....

Grandmotherbear · #7 01/31/08, 05:01 AM

Good for you!

Truly He does provide.

cider · #8 01/31/08, 06:21 AM

Wow. That gave me chills. Thanks for sharing.

AngieM2 · #9 01/31/08, 06:32 AM

Sandra - good to read all that, especially the outcome. And great on D getting a good job, I know that will help both of you.

Angie

tamilee · #10 01/31/08, 06:40 AM

Oh Sancraft, what a WONDERFUL testimony of God's faithfulness to those who believe. I am so happy for happy for you.
Thanks for sharing.

tamilee

mamajohnson · #11 01/31/08, 06:46 AM

Isn't it awesome to find out that we are learning?
And God is so good to keep blessing, and being patient with us in our trying to 'handle' things.
You have reminded me that I do the same thing.
I will set myself aside and pray more, handle less.
I praise Him with you in your blessings!

bubbahead · #12 01/31/08, 06:47 AM

All I can say is....You inspire me. Your post just made me a lot more hopeful. Thank you.

momlaffsalot · #13 01/31/08, 07:03 AM

Sandra, wonderful news but not surprising. I long ago learned that the only secret there is to life is to be able to remain calm and un-flustered when troubles come by KNOWING that God is in charge of things and things are doin' what He wants them to do. When things get scary, I tend to sit back and say, hmmmm, wonder what God has in store for me now? Course when the mortgage is due and there's no money, it's hard to remain calm...thank God for good books, bubble baths, and comfortable beds (among many things :-)).
I'm so glad things too the upturn for you. I wish you all the best in your new job (your daughter too!).

hintonlady · #14 01/31/08, 07:10 AM

I'm anything but religious, more spiritual. I do believe in god, just sort of figuring the whole thing out.

I have noticed the same thing though.

When something bad happens I have an assortmeent of chaotic emotions and try to do damage control.

Nothing ever sorts itself out until I hit rock bottom emotionally and just give up. then within moments or hours the situation always seems to have some sort of "miraculous" solution.

I have often wished I could just give in sooner, realizing in hindsight that is what it took.

**Cabin Fever** · #15 01/31/08, 07:38 AM

There is a lot of truth to the old saying, "When the Master closes a door, He opens a window."

Ashtina98 · #16 01/31/08, 07:48 AM

Wow, praise God! Thank you so much for posting this. I actually needed a reminder myself to let go of things and allow God the lead.

Dee

deaconjim · #17 01/31/08, 07:59 AM

Praise the Lord, and congratulations to both of you on the new jobs. I have learned that worry is just our way of butting in to God's business. He is never taken by surprise by our circumstances.

RedTartan · #18 01/31/08, 07:59 AM

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV

I usually use the KJV, but the translation of this particular verse is so comforting in the NIV

Here's the KJV of the same verse for people like me that prefer good ol' King James:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. KJV

RedTartan

BAmaBubba · #19 01/31/08, 08:08 AM

Praise God indeed! It's wonderful to see over and over how ours is a God of providence and love. I still tend to get in the way sometimes but I've learned to be patient (well, mostly) and let God do his thing. My last job had gotten to the point that I was always worried about whether I'd even get paid, etc. I refused to just throw resumes out there since, for most of my career, when it was the right time to leave, God would drop something on me out of the blue. Well, when I was just about to the point of going bananas, this job literally landed in my lap. I sent a resume and was called the next day for the interview. The company is notorious for being slow and cautious with hiring but, interestingly enough, I got my offer the next day! Got a raise from where I was, got to cut the stress by about 90%, and never worry about the paycheck not showing up on time. I guess us stubborn folks tend to forget "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding".

I'm so glad things are working out well for you and your dd. ((HUGS))

teresab · #20 01/31/08, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAmaBubba

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding".

I LOVE Proverbs 3:5-6...ohhhh how many times I have hung on to those great verses with all my might. It is so hard most time to just get out of the way and let God do things his way ( the only way).

All things in life (good or bad) are to bring about a purpose...God knows and sees the big picture and knows what needs to be done to bring each of us to that purpose. I am so glad HE is in control cause I mess things up so badly!!

Sandra- Thank you for starting off my morning with such a great devotion!! And I must add your daddy sounded like such a wise man. Have a wonderful day.