The blog has been pretty quiet this past week.

The week began with a Joy Day! post.  We welcomed 2013 with a prayer by The Reverend Billy Graham.  I then hinted at my quietness when I invited you to join me in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare, the following day.  So many times I wanted to write here, but just didn’t have the right words.

 

Tree Shadows on the Snow - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Today, I still don’t know that I have the right words.  But, my mind is camped on this scripture verse…

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

And then it is interesting to me that if we continue to read the chapter, near the end, we will read these words…

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;   Psalm 46:10a

 

Snow Crystals in the Sun - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

You may recall, last February I started reading A Holy Experience, and One Thousand Gifts.  At that time I started learning the importance of giving thanks…in all things.  At first it was hard to do.  Now, I want to do it for everything.  There is something that takes place that I cannot explain when I give thanks for the difficulties in my life.  No, it doesn’t right the wrongs.  But, it rights my mind and my thinking and my physical and emotional response to those things I wish, weren’t.

This week we found ourselves in the company of the unemployed again.  After the initial shock and disbelief I realized that I needed to make some choices.  First was to give thanks.  Second was to choose to trust God.  Third, to spend time in prayer and in His word.  The end result was a new job.  Well.  No.  But, I’m not in a hand-wringing posture.  I can say that I have the peace that passes understanding.   I know it guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

What’s really interesting though, is that through these simple, yet intentional, choices I have been strengthened.  Strengthened to believe and pray great big crazy audacious prayers.  I have already seen one big crazy answer and I fully expect to see many more.

How many times do we read the Bible and yet we don’t believe what we read?  Today I have nothing to count on.  And yet I have the ONE whom I can count on.

 

Intense Blue Sky Over Snowy Woods - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

The first thing I usually do when bad things happen is to fly into damage control mode.  I’m a fixer.  Which is good and bad.

When I read past to the end of Psalm 46, I read “Be still, and know that I am God.”  It doesn’t say rush around and take control of the situation does it?  Nope.

How much sense does that make? This being still business.  Really?

It doesn’t, but I did it.

And then after a few days, I asked some friends to pray.  But, this time, I’m not going to get ahead of God.  I learned that lesson.  I’m trusting that He not only knew this was going to happen, He knows our limited resources, and he has already made a provision.   More than anything, I’m grateful we know that He loves us, and will work all of this out for our good and His glory.

Sometimes I feel like I repeat the same things.  Maybe you are even thinking that you have heard me say this before.  What seems most important though is this:  Do you believe it?  Really?

Although this could be the most terrifying moment in time for us….I’m actually excited.  God has placed within me a spirit of hope, of anticipation, beyond anything I have ever had before.

Joy.

Yesterday as I was bringing up boxes from the basement to pack up Christmas decorations I had this overwhelming sense of joy.  Joy is the outflow of God in us.  Here we are in a state that has been our home for just 14 months with no job and no savings and I have joy.  That is totally a God thing.  Totally.

 

Stunning blue and white winter sky - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

If you are a praying person, I invite you in to join me in asking God to provide a new job and everything that is necessary to receive it and move by the end of the month.  I told you… I’m praying big crazy audacious prayers.   It’s possible to pray this way because our God works supernaturally.  He doesn’t wait to hear us pray to get to work on answering our requests.  Time is nothing to Him…He is in the past the present and the future.  He knows and is already at work on our behalf.

In the meantime, I know my part:  Trust God.  Wait on Him.  And start packing.

I love and appreciate you and your support during this time…

Diane

P.S.  Yes…the sky really was that blue when I took those photos.

Joy Day!

Yes…it still is Joy Day! and we need to take the time to be grateful and count the good blessings and the crummy stuff of our week.  Join me in counting just seven from the past week.  Simply leave your list in the “Share your Thoughts” section below.  I’ll start…

I’m grateful for:

  1. walking up that impossibly high hill and making it!
  2. a lovely New Year’s party with friends
  3. the highest number of views on the blog
  4. the loss of my husband’s job
  5. the “Yes” answer to a great big audacious prayer
  6. the peace that passes understanding
  7. gorgeous blue skies and a wonderful afternoon stroll

Now it’s your turn!!!

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Comments

  1. Glenda Kremer says

    will definitely be praying for the Lord’s provision for His choice of a job! keep us posted!
    Glenda Kremer

    • Diane says

      Thank you Glenda….that means more than you know. {hugs}

  2. Wonderful photographs!

    • Diane says

      Thank you Anne! I had a beautiful afternoon of capturing just a bit of the beauty all around.
      Thanks too for taking time to leave your kinds words. 😀

  3. Gail says

    Wonderful lesson on reyling on The One, accepting His ultimate will with joy, all the while going through the mix of ups & downs in live. I am bookmarking this lesson

  4. Mel says

    I have to admit, my heart sank at the truth telling about your circumstances. It was one of those “oh nooooo” moments–not in doubt of G-d’s wonderful workings, but in an understanding of how fear and faith can smoosh together to bring us to where He intended us to be all along. I know that place–and I know many others do as well.
    I’ve continued to pray this week and will continue to pray. I know G-d has plans. And I smile for you to be at this ‘place’ in the storm–it’s a good place, even if it’s not such a comfy place some moments. It’s a place of opening doors and ‘knowing’. Those are exciting moments, albeit a bit frightening. That you’re allowing yourself to BE excited in the midst of it all–makes me smile.
    Pray, pray, pray! That’s where I land. And celebrate that ability to ‘rest’ and ‘be still’. It’s a tough one to hang on to when you open the door to fear.
    *sending prayers and hugs*

    And my joys!
    * that you allow yourself to celebrate and still find joy in the storm
    * the eagles flying along the river yesterday
    * a blanketed world of white that’s just gorgeous
    * happily delivered coffee by a doting partner
    * yet again a phonecall from a small person who happily showed me the pickle on her tree (of course I saw it! LOL)
    * healing cards from places and people far away
    * visitors who made me laugh–such good medicine!

    Trust G-d–…and keep rowing! 😉

    • Diane says

      Your words are blessing to me today, Mel. My eyes are moist. Thank you for loving me virtually. {hugs}

  5. Wow! Fantastic photography ~ love the winter shots ~

    (A Creative Harbor) aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^

    • Diane says

      Awwwww thanks, Carol!!! I’m loving all the beauty of winter this year!
      Hope your week is Extraordinary!!

  6. What a gorgeous wintry view! Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #64!

    • Diane says

      A perfect day it was! Today…all gray and no contrasts. Thanks always for the encouragement! 😀

  7. Thanks for sharing such honest thoughts and so sorry about the loss of your husband’s job. We are a one-income family and my husband just got cut from full-time to part-time too. However, he has a few great opportunities that should fit with his primary position. It was so difficult to hear the news, but we’ve been learning how problems are opportunities for growth. So, like you, we welcome difficulties because they present an opportunity for God’s amazing provision. Praying and declaring, favor, increase, promotion and peace over you and your household in Jesus’ name! Can’t wait to hear your story when the provision comes in…. be blessed! 🙂

    • Diane says

      You just blessed me tremendously, Nancy!!!
      Thank you for your powerful prayer(s). {hugs}
      I will be praying for you and your family, too.

  8. As you know, my husband has been unemployed the better part of three years. Some days I don’t know how we continue to stay afloat. It’s all by His hand. I will definately be praying for you my friend.

    • Diane says

      My heart goes out to you my friend. We were so grateful for this past position. I remember the relief. Praying bold prayers for you, too Barbie!

  9. Lisa @ SLP says

    Hard Eucheristeo… it’s scary right! but then something happens and the worry melts away. Praying for you my friend.

    • Diane says

      Lisa…
      Perfect love casts out fear. It’s a mystery for which I am so grateful.
      I’m humbled that you would pray for me. Thank you!

  10. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

    I am believing that God who is more than able will manifest a mighty, miraculous miracle in your life!
    Believing God for the best,
    Trinity

  11. Laura says

    Diane, your photos are just gorgeous! I love this: “Joy is the outflow of God in us.” Yes! I can feel that joy in your words, my friend. It makes me so happy. Much joy to you in the new year!

    • Diane says

      You’ll never know how encouraging your words are. Thanks Laura!

  12. Love your faith…and your words here. Is it a coincidence or God thing that I linked up next to you and your scripture and words affirm for me what God is working in my own heart and what I wrote in my blog post? 🙂

    • Diane says

      Hi Amy! I don’t believe in coincidences. Do you? I’m humbled that God would choose to use my words to affirm you. And now I need to go read your post. 😀

  13. Dear Diane,

    I have just caught up on your blog and your new. You are such an amazing lady. You are, of course, in my prayers but through the course of your blog posts, one theme kept ringing in my mind:

    “Great Is His Faithfulness.”

    God will be faithful to you in taking care of all of your needs – but it is always good to hear it:

    http://www.create-with-joy.com/2010/11/sow-8-great-is-thy-faithfulness-part-1.html
    http://www.create-with-joy.com/2010/11/sow-9-great-is-thy-faithfulness-part-2.html

    Have a blessed week!

    • Diane says

      Yes my friend, it always IS good to hear and be reminded of HIS faithfulness! Thank you for taking the time to come by and for your caring and comforting words. {hugs}

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