Since the month of February, I have traveled through seasons of want and of plenty. There have been times to strive, to thrive, to fly and to dive, and I have dealt with my fair share of trials over the past 6 months. Let me give you a quick play-by-play.
December '12: I left a position as a Tech Specialist. I didn't think it would take about 8 weeks to find work again. Elena and I survived off of her 20 some hours a week and savings. She graduated from College and the prospect of loans coming out of Grace Period was all too real. I needed a job... and soon!
February '13: Landed a job as a team member at a local coffee shop. I was hired on beginning at around 30 hours a week which was just enough to pay the bill with Elena's job. Then things took an unexpected term. A misunderstanding and miscommunication between Elena and her managers led to her losing her job. In a matter of a week, we went from celebration to survival mode again.
March '13: Elena went almost a month without work, but she was able to find a similar position which paid more with a local cleaning business. We celebrated the Lord's goodness, but then things took another turn. Because of circumstances beyond our control, sales dropped dramatically which effected my hours. What was 35-40 hours dropped to 25-30, then 15-20, and for 3 weeks I endured less than 10 hours a week until sales finally picked up again in June.
June '13: Business picked up, and I was able to land a second job at a good restaurant in the MOA. We started talks with a church in Northern Minnesota which would potentially turn into an apprenticeship. Things are finally starting to look up. I have a guaranteed 20hrs at the coffee shop, Elena is keeping the same amount at her job, and we are in talks with a church! This was also the month of our big from living on-campus to being closer to work.
July '13: Elena and I now live minutes away from work. I took on more hours which by the end of the month got me working close to 60hrs a week! Elena is not only doing well at her new job, but she received a raise as well! Then things took another turn. The church we were talking with decided that they no longer desired to pursue the apprenticeship. Rejoicing turned to pain once again, but I wasn't about to give up. I sent an email communicating my desire to learn and experiment. After sending the message awaited their response.
Now Aug. '13: For the sake of physical health and my relationship to my wife, I have cut back on a few hours. I am working a manageable 40-50 hours and Elena has a stable job. I did actually receive a message back from the church stating they would like to continue considering the apprenticeship. Elena and I are now actually bringing in a small surplus which we will be able to put toward loans as well as invest a little more into our relationship.
What is the over all lesson learned from this? God not only cares. He fights! He not only sees. He intervenes on behalf of those who love him and are called to his good purposes. Co-workers at the coffee shop could not understand why I did not quit when my hours dropped to a mere 9.5 hrs/week. I would reply, "God is fighting for me, and he will provide." When anger flared up over my frustations with Elena's managers terminating her employment over their mismanaged situation, I told myself, "God is fighting for me; He will provide!" And when I received a message that the church was no longer interested, I took hold of that truth again, "God is fighting for me; he will provide."
Are you in a tight fix and wondering what God is doing? I know it is frustrating, but the reality is that we have very little knowledge when it comes to God's work in the cosmos. In the grand scheme of things, how many calculations, how many situations, how many possible outcomes does God have to think through before he comes through for you and me. The answer? Every single one of them! If it takes a little time, it is for our good. To strengthen us, humble us, and to help us become more... well Human (That is in the glorious way God meant it to be)... so that we may reflect on His name well. But it is not only for His good purpose, but for our good as well. God does not use to abuse. He uses to make useful that which has lost it's own sense of meaning and purpose in a world departed from Him. Is this not true?
I have no doubt that He continues to fight on my behalf, and I have no doubt that He will continue to fight for you too!
