There's been a lot going on around here and I've not had too much to say recently, therefore no witty and interesting blogs entries. I'm not ready to talk about it all yet but have struggled with keeping my peace. God has used this time to show me that my peace rests in other things besides Him. My eyes have shifted, at times, from Jesus to the storm around me. My soul has felt downcast. My faith, shaky at best.
As I cried on my husband's strong shoulder this morning he prayed over me. He prayed that God would show me in a real and tangible way that I was still his girl, that he loved me and was working all out for my good.
Soon afterwards a friend called to tell me of her husband's return from Africa. He's been a plumber working on military stations. His employer was getting ready to send him to Ethiopia for 6 months to live in a tent and build military housing there. “No thanks” and he's on a plane back home.
If you aren't aware quite a few people do this for about $80,000 – 90,000 of tax free money each year. This would have been my friend's 3rd year.
As he is saying, “no thanks” to Ethiopia thousands of miles away in America a certain other man fails a drug test which opens a position my friend can fill…on the very same day. The position was one he considered before deciding to go abroad to work for another year. He's worked for the company in America before and the people there love him. They are Christians. And they are his friends.
When my friend's wife calls me this morning it's to tell me that her husband is on his way home. He's quit (which is something he has never done in the 20 years she has known him). And God has provided a job for him before he's even set foot back in America. The people my friend will be working for cried. The wife said, “See, God took care of us.”
And God did all this and used it to show me this morning that He is still on the throne. He's still working. He's still in control. It's just what I needed this morning. A confirmation that He IS God!
Then tonight as my husband and I are entering the movie theatre there is a huge, perfectly formed and absolutely gorgeous rainbow above us. I don't know how long it's been since I've seen a rainbow. A long time.
This one was perfect in every way. Perfectly arched from end to end. Perfectly reflecting the Son's light. Perfectly formed. Just perfect.
And again I felt God saying to me. “Trust me Julie. I am here. I am passionate for you. I haven't forgotten.”
Oh how my heart longs for Him. I long for his presence, his return and his love.
“Thank you Lord for loving me so perfectly even in my deepest, darkest fears and failures.”
“You, indeed, are God.”
Julie
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