I want you to know I did not weather this storm very well........I did alot of stamping my feet and crying! I wasn't mad at God, Oh No! I was a hurting puppy with so much stuff to unload! I needed to see that without Him I am nothing. I needed to see that everything is meaningless! Remember we were unemployed last year from December of 2009 until August 2010, then moved here in December of 2010 for that job. My husband was laid off in April 2011-until now!
I have been totally overloaded with everything! I realized focusing on my problems was not the answer. I needed to think of others even in the midst of my troubles. I needed to give to others in spite of my troubles and God would help me. I needed to rely on Him for everything. Believe me what an eye opener! I realized I did not need everything I have........I wanted it! A big difference!
Which brings me to a book I read and would love you to read it as well
Radical by David Platt
Its about taking back your faith from the American Dream.....
We all have a dream of the way its suppose to be....big house, nice cars, cute kids, handsome husband....you know Hollywood style! What we don't realize is we have more than half the world! We are rich even if we are poor!
We sit in our big churches being very comfortable.......people in other countries sit anywhere, for hours listening to the gospel and never grumble! They are so happy to hear the Word! Yet in our churches today we all have to be comfortable.....
imagine not spending money on the comforts! How many of us wouldn't go to church???? What about if we didn't have music? Coffee before hand? Fancy stages and sound systems? I ask you, would you go to church?
Am I making you feel uncomfortable? Do you want to stop reading this post?
Is God convicting you? This is exactly how I felt when reading this book!
I questioned my values.......was I reading the Bible everyday? Did I need everything I have? Too many dishes? Were they my idol? Do I love them more than the one that saved me? Furniture????? Did I need or want it???? Did I give of myself to others? Could I have helped my neighbor? Did I need all the shoes, blouses and clothes????? My answer is NO!
I struggled with this for a month or two.......
I challenge you along with David Platt to wake up! Trade in false values rooted in the American dream and embrace the notion that each of us is blessed by God for a global purpose-----to make Christ's glory known to all nations!
I hope if you read this to the end, you will agree with me to open your eyes and see what a misguided road we have taken thinking we need all we have.
What can you do...center yourself in Christ. Read the bible all the way through in a year. Pray for everyone under the sun, our nation and the President. Give away stuff to people who would appreciate it more than you. It is better to give than receive! Be uncomfortable and share the gospel with someone. We all have girlfriends..talk about the Word over coffee!
Jesus showed Christians what our lives would look like.......we would leave behind security, money, convenience and even family. We would abandon everything to follow Him. We would take up our crosses daily........
I took up my cross, believe me, not like I wanted too! I was kicking and screaming! But God showed me even though I was crying and unhappy......He was faithful. We paid every bill, ate every meal with a roof over our heads......without an unemployment check!He was Faithful!
My hope lies in Jesus. I was not as faithful to Him as he was to me during this time. But I do know this, He never stopped being faithful or loving to me!
The American Dream is while we are on earth...
what happens afterlife???? We can't take it with us.......what happens to it all?????
I know I can live without a few things but not without Jesus!
Thank you for reading my post.......I do encourage you to read this book. It changed my attitude towards how I am living my life.
I pray that God touches your heart through my post and opens up your eyes to see Him! He is in charge of all we own.......
Blessings My Friend,
You have certainly been through a storm -- and came out knowing that God was always there with you - loving you. I'm so glad that your husband found work -- will you be staying put? A good friend who was also out of work found a job last week. Thanksgiving for work!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you and your husband, best of luck on his new endeavor. I became so much calmer and happier when I realized it is not about what you WANT, it is about what you NEED. xo,
ReplyDeleteDear One, You have written a heartfelt post with great insight to how it is.
ReplyDeleteVery good read with great meaning.
God bless,
d
PS
ReplyDeleteVery happy for you guys that your husband has employment. May this goes very well.
Elaine, this is one of the most touching & profound posts I've ever read. All of us need to take stock of all our blessings and re-think just what is most important. God bless you & your family. Love....
ReplyDeleteDear Friends,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments. Before I wrote this post I prayed that God would touch our hearts and open our eyes and ears to what the American dream is doing to our beautiful world. I pray that we remember it is all about Him not us. This is totally different than what the world teaches.
If I touch just one heart through this post then I have accomplished my goal.
Blessings My Friends,
I think you've said it all, chickee. That's exactly what I've realized over the last few years. I talk about this in church to others. I think it's mostly the young people who don't get it. Trust me, I could go on and on and on about this subject. Good post, sugar. Good luck!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Connie
So glad your husband found a job-not easy in this economy.You know we all know this in our hearts, we just don't pay attention. Everything we have could be taken away in a heartbeat-I don't know why we amass things,maybe just because we are human!
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