Just checking in to…check in, I guess.In other words, this is not the post I should be writing but the post that I should be writing is taking longer than I’d like.
Oh, for heaven’s sake. Enough of this procrastination.
Have you ever taken, as your Lenten penance, the desire to embrace whatever God sends? In other words, you don’t choose something specific—except maybe giving up all that extra chocolate because like, hello? How obvious!—and instead, you tell Our Lord that He can choose?
Well.
Be careful what you ask for because God is good and God’s capricious! He may send you a cross you did not expect.
My husband is out of work right now—has been for the past three weeks. This is a new & frightening & complicated area for us—one we’ve not been in since our first year of marriage. It’s exciting, like an amusement park ride with a 500-foot drop. Strapped in, Honey? Yes, I am! Do you want to do this? No, I don’t! Yes, I do!
In other words, it’s a great big adventure but I may puke.
It’s a great big adventure that requires trust.
Ed. Note: The above honest blogging has been approved by my husband. Also, and this probably goes without saying, can we count on your prayers to see us through?
Oh yes! We will add your intentions to our family rosary. Cathy C.
Praying here! We pray the rosary on our way to homeschool co-op tomorrow morning and you will be added to our intentions.
Yes, this is a frightening time which will require trust and prayers. I will pray for you and your family!
Yes, we will pray for you and your family. It is a difficult time I know, but God does hide blessings in disguise. We were there 2 years ago, and it did turn out to be the biggest blessing for our family, although it did not seem like it at the time. Keep the faith. Something great will come from this. Ann
Oh my, yes- definitely praying!
Oh, I'm so sorry Maggie. You and your family will be in our prayers. We will beg St Joseph, head of the Holy Family to help your husband find the work God wants him to have to provide for his family.
Oh, Margaret. I'm sorry you have to experience this sickening, startling ride. But hang on tight dear (to Him alone) and you'll come out just fine (as I know you know). Sorry it's so tough at the moment.
Praying that at the end, this has beared the fruit God wills.
Praying for you and hubby, I know all too well this road you are on.
Praying that you continue to smile, laugh and be you.
Jumping into the conversation to say thank you for your prayers, everyone, and also BLECH! I am not liking Blogger's new format for comments at all!
Prayers for your family being offered, Margaret.
Praying for you and yours!!!
Praying for you! And I will look for a job for him in my area so we can be neighbors, ok? Do you like Cape Cod and beaches???
Hoping for answered prayers soon.
Prayers for you and your family. We were in you position two years ago and it is not fun at all.
Definitely adding my prayers for all of you.
Praying! We were there this time last year! All I have to say is God will provide! He always does!
We will add you to our prayer for work as well. My husband was laid off in November and every day we beg our God for help and strength to wait for His perfect timing and help us in our fear of the unknown. We are so very afraid, but we will not stop trusting. My husband has never been out of work since college and we just do not know where to turn right now except to God's wisdom and mercy. Just wanted to let you know we understand and will pray so very hard for you all.
Praying for you! Also, wanted to say I'm right there with you, trying to accept the things God has sent our way so far this year. At least there is consolation in having the almighty God of the universe be the one to "have your back," so to speak.. He cares for the sparrow and us as well… At least we don't have to rely on our own wits and instincts like those who don't have faith!
Oh Margaret, I am sorry! My dh and I have gone through this, twice. I'll never forget the punched-in-the-stomach feeling I got, when at 30 weeks pregnant (and two young sons, already,) my dh told me he had lost his job. The second time around wasn't great, either. But God opens doors like you wouldn't believe. I am praying for your dh and you and your family. Hugs to you!!!
Stacy in MI
With you there again too! Yes, wild ride. Keep us in prayer too and I will you. Thanks for the post I totally understand.
Many blessings,
Cheri
PS I always like to think at times like this—God IS in control!;)
Will definitely include you in our prayers as well. "Punched in the stomach" is the perfect description of our first time as well (also while I was pregnant with our fourth). My husband has presently been unemployed since May. God does indeed provide and has a plan I never would have predicted!
Margaret,
We too went through this roller coaster ride this past August. It took 4 months to find a new position. From the beginning, I prayed a 30 day novena to St. Joseph. When 30 days had passed, I started the next 30 day novena. I tried to be be supportive, helpful, and optimistic while around my DH. (I faked optimistic when necessary) I let him know I had complete confidence in him. Losing a job does not change who you are– it changes where you work 🙂 It will work out–but boy is it stressful while waiting!
Peace,
Lynette
Prayers! St Joseph intercede for you
It did go without saying. Most definitely praying for you. Kia kaha.
Our love and prayers to you from us …
Most definitely prayers! We are just coming out of ours (1.5 weeks to go!) but it's a tough, tough road, one that is exhausting in every way imaginable. St. Joseph, pray for us.
Definitely will be praying, Margaret!
Today I started a novena and litany to St. Joseph which I plan to keep going the whole month of March. I would love to add your family's intentions. God Bless!
Dear Minnesota Mom, Four years ago my husband changed careers. It was voluntary and involved our family selling our home, relocating to another state, moving into much smaller rental house than what we'd owned, him going back to school full-time while working full-time, and our income taking a plunge. It was a roller coaster ride like you just described.There were lots of days I wanted to puke!! But now he has a job he LOVES, our strong marriage is so, so solid, his relationship with our kids is amazing, and we are daily amazed at the blessings we have been given. Something my husband found along the way was a book by Dan Miller about careers. It's from a Christian perspective and offers much insight about jobs, living to please the Lord, and finding your passion. You can find it at http://www.48days.com/. (I don't work for them, this is just one supportive wife to another.) Remember, "[YOU] can do all things through him who strengthens [you]. Philipians 4:13.
~Jenny
My husband lost his job 2 years, 10months ago, so I'm also on that roller-coaster. I hate roller-coasters, but it has drawn us closer together, and me closer to God. (not to mention my family since we had to move in with my folks!) :/ It sucks but God is in control and you'll get through this time – hopefully quicker then we are! My prayers are with you and your family.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Prayers at mass this a.m. especially for you and yours.
"It's a great big adventure, but I may puke."
I almost spat out my coffee.
Praying for your family dear Margaret. What an adventure it may become!
prayers….
Oh Margaret! I am so sorry to hear this. Will keep you all in my prayers, of course! This is a scary ride (have been there too), indeed. God cradles us in the palms of His hands. Always.
(and I, too, really loathe bloggers new formats! Not nice, all this glaring white. Ouchie on the eyes).
{{hugs}}
We are definitely praying for you!
Totally praying for you! You should get in touch with Laura – her sister does the same thing for Medtronic, I believe. I'll talk to Eric because I think he has another one he needs written/filed, etc.
Oh Margaret, I am so sorry. I know the anxiety of a husbnad out of work and it is awful.
Praying.
Margaret,
Can you list your email account? I couldn't make your link work.
Thanks,
Susan
Praying! lois
Many prayers for your family, Margaret. We also got an extra penance early this Lent. Our 21 year old was involved in a 3 car wreck. Thanks be to God, he and the other two drivers were not injured, but his poor car is totaled. We're now working out our penance through insurance companies, auto body shops, the DMV, and trying to find him another car.
Sure will pray. We managed 14 months unemployment, and my being very under-employed during that time. Yup. Some days are downright pukey. Then others days were glorious just to have him around more. But yes, will pray for good cheer amidst the job hunt.
Prayers indeed.
Praying for you and your family, Margaret!
Praying!
I'll be praying for you. Sounds like you are another example of where God picked your Lent rather than you picking what you wanted to give up! May you find it a time to embrace the cross.
Praying Margaret. We may shortly be in this position and I'm a nervous wreck.
Praying for your family. God Bless.