The Blessing of Storms

About two and a half years ago, Bryan lost his job at Nike. Four days before I gave birth to Gabe. It was definitely a scary time for us. I looked back at the blog post I wrote Storm and am SO reminded that "God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble." Psalm 46: 1

Storms are for our good. When a storm hits, I usually look for the nearest exit, hoping to escape the high winds. I am more than willing to give up my seat in a rocking boat in exchange for tranquil waters and blue skies. I don't like pain. I dread uncertain times. When life spirals out of control, I often withdraw from friends and family in an attempt to hide. Stress can paralyze me and make it difficult for me to function normally. Small tasks become huge mountains as the clouds gather and the winds pick up speed. To think that storms are for my good is a stretch to say the least.

We have repeatedly heard and even been taught the truth that we are strengthened by our storms. Honestly, there have been times when I felt as if I would explode if one more person told me to praise God for my storm. Looking back, however, there is absolutely no doubt that my greatest growth has come during my most fierce life storms. Each storm has become a spiritual marker, a testament to the sufficiency and faithfulness of God. It is from those markers that a powerful life is shaped and molded.

Storms will come. Storms are a reality of life. We will either become storm survivors or storm statistics. The choice really is ours to make. We can stop telling God how big our storm is and start telling the storm just how big our God is. The key to enduring storms is to embrace each one that comes, knowing it contains and can yield a seed of victory.

I have read the following promises of God and rest in their truth when storms hit:

· Proverbs 10:25 (NIV) "When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone but the righteous stand firm forever."

· Isaiah 25:4 (NASB) "For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat…"

· Psalm 57:1 (NRSV) "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by."

It's been an amazing journey, the last 2.5 years:

• Bryan lost his job
• We were blessed with the birth of our healthy 4 pound baby 7 weeks early
• Bryan was right along side me the whole 5 months I had off for maternity leave
• I started back at work
• Bryan got a part time job at Multnomah
  
• Because of Bryan's part time job he was able to watch Gabe 2 days out of the week while the other days were covered by my mom and sisters
• We made the decision for Bryan to quit his job at Multnomah and he got a full time contract position at Nike
• My friend Teresa then watched Gabe for the 2 days that Bryan couldn't anymore
• Bryan graduated from The Art Institute of Portland
  
• Then Nanny Jenny took over Tues-Thurs watching Gabe starting Fall of 2008
• Bryan's contract was extended I think about 4 times
• I lost my job and became a stay at home mommy

SO many ups and downs, scary, uncertain times and most of all BLESSINGS! God is Good!

All this to say, I am SO happy to announce that God has provided Bryan with another permanent job at Nike! YAHOOOO

Now I pray that we continue to trust God with our finances and that we are good stewards of the money he gives us to keep me home with Gabe.