Count It Joy

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." 

James 1:2

April Fools Day 2011 - My husband does not care for practical jokes.  I love to play them on others. So on the morning of April 1st I couldn't resist a small tease.  Instead of fixing him a cup of coffee in his travel mug, I simply filled it with cold water and placed it in front of him at the table.  He chatted on and on about this and that; I waited a bit impatiently for that first sip.  Five minutes later he still hadn't even touched it so I asked, "Are you going to drink your coffee?" 

Giving me a puzzled look, he replied,"Yeah, I am." Picking it up he peers in the small opening at the top, then at me. "What did you do to it?" "Nothing!!" I insist innocently. Suspiciously he sniffs it, then leans closer for another sniff.  "It's cold!" he announces.  I smile, "Just try it!"  Slowly he raises the cup to his lips and takes a drink.  Again a puzzled look.  "What is it?" "Water." That was satisfactory. 

Later that morning I was surfing the net while the boys played and the Princess napped; I recieved a call from PreacherMan.

He hurriedly told me that he had been let go at work.  Right away I asked if this was a joke, not very funny if it was.  Nope not a joke.

Over the next hour a mix of emotions would assault me.  My first thoughts were to assess our financial situation and see where we were at.  Anxiety and worry with a bit of excitement flooded in.  We had enough saved for at least a month.  I knew right away that I would need to trust God for His provision and that whatever happened, this was His will.  Praying that He would give me the strength to trust Him, my racing heart calmed just a tad.  

Previously that week, one of the truck drivers had called in sick and PreacherMan had to fill in.  He had left Monday for Washington state and didn't get home till late Thursday night.  At dinner Thursday I was praying before we ate; the kids wouldn't not be quiet; the week had be long and exhausting.  Not having PreacherMan there to help had taken it's toll on me. And his company was about to send him back on the road for the summer to keep up with the seasonal orders.  Being a trucker's widow is not something I enjoy, rather something I endure because I have too. I prayed to God that He would make a change in our lives and that He would help me to accept whatever challenges came along. That's when I heard a whisper in my ear,"Are you ready?" It stilled me and I felt naked, known, awestruck.  I know it was God speaking to me.  My mind raced and then the boys began again to bicker and my thoughts were pushed aside as I return to mothering.

Thinking back on this that very next morning, I gained new understanding that this was a great thing not a scary thing.  God had a plan for us and it was time to move on from where we were and start anew.  He would take care of us in His way, ways we do not always understand, but with His grace and wisdom I knew that things would work out for the Glory of God.

When PreacherMan got back home a little while later, he looked at me and I at him and both of us knew that it was good.  We didn't know why this had happened but we knew without a doubt that God was in control and we could take comfort in that. 

"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." 

Jeremiah 29:11

 MadCounty Mama