Search This Blog

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Where I am (part 2) - Hope and Pruning

"Where I am (part 1) - Security"

From the day we found out this news a few weeks ago, we have been able to say that we are not without hope in this situation. We know that God will provide. We know that He is faithful. We know, without a doubt, that He will take care of us.

And we are already seeing evidence of it.

The truly awesome thing is that Mike had not been happy in his job for quite a while. He was bored out of his mind, and just knew deep down that it was not what he was meant to do. But honestly I think the provider mentality took over and he knew the bills had to get paid. So we took the “safe” path and he stuck with it.

He has long talked about other interests and things he has wanted to pursue. And we have discussed on many occasions how we’d love for him to be able to work on a contract basis from home to allow him to pursue some of those interests. But the risk of quitting his job to do that was too great.

Well, that decision has now been made for us. We now think it’s time to take some steps.

There are so many illustrations I can use here, but the one that is sticking with me the most is the idea of pruning. I began to connect this Biblical principle to our situation after reading this post from Bring the Rain just days after we received the news of the loss of Mike’s job. In that post, Angie included this quote from the book Turn My Mourning into Dancing by Henri Nouwen.

"Pruning means cutting, reshaping, removing what diminishes vitality. When we look at a pruned vineyard, we can hardly believe it will bear fruit. But when the harvest comes, we realize that the pruning allowed the vines to concentrate their energy and produce more grapes. Grateful people learn to celebrate even amid life's hard and harrowing memories because they know that pruning is no mere punishment, but preparation.

When our gratitude for the past is only partial, our hope for the future can likewise never be full. But our submitting to God's pruning work will not ultimately leave us sad, but hopeful for what can happen in us and through us. Harvest time will bring its own blessings...pg19"


I truly believe that God is pruning away that old dead job so that Mike, and our whole family for that matter, can grow, multiply, be fruitful and flourish somewhere else.

And we believe we may have found that “somewhere else.”

And I'll share more about that somewhere else soon.

5 Comments:

Melinda said...

Isn't God good?? Can't wait to hear the rest of the story. I'm writing from the road...driving in to town today. Oh Praise Him! Perhaps a cup of coffee is in order sometime soon??

XO Melinda

Anonymous said...

Donna, I've just added your blog to my reader. I figured since we are such good Twitter friends, I really want to know you better. (Plus, I think we might be meeting in Oct at LPL-Memphis! At least I hope we are!!)

All that to say that I missed your first post and had no clue. I have to tell you that having been through it before (twice actually--we have both lost jobs, thankfully not at the same time, God used it for some amazing growth in my marriage and in my life. It wasn't pretty, but, looking back, seeing God protect and keep us is still beautiful. My husband now has a job in an industry that he is passionate about and I only work a few hours a week and stay at home with the kids that majority of the time. Those things would not be true were it not for the loss of our jobs. We were far too practial to take those leaps by ourselves!

I'm so glad that there's the "somewhere else" potential for you guys. I can't wait to hear where He takes you!

(Sorry for the rambling comment--maybe I should've emailed instead! ) :-)

Unknown said...

I look forward to hearing more about your pruning and what's coming in the future!

Even though it's difficult and scary, it sounds very exciting. Will keep on praying that all continues to move forward smoothly for you.

KindaSassy said...

Oooh, a cliff hanger! Now Im waiting with baited breath for Part Three.... :)

It would seem that this truly is an unexpected blessing for your family.

Sallye said...

Wow. Is God just showing off for you or what? I can not wait to hear what God has planned for you and Mike next! What an awesome adventure He has you on, and what an powerful testimony this is to God's faithfullness.

Sorry I am a day late in posting...been busy having new baby...

I am still praying for you and know that God has not called you somewhere that He has not already prepared the way.

Sallye