When Hubby is Unemployed or Underemployed....

"And let us not be weary in well doing: 
for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not."
~Galations 6:9

Having a husband who was unemployed and then underemployed brought many challenges to my life; but, none has been so challenging as the problem of whether I should seek employment.  I've been a homemaker for twenty years now.  I quit my job to stay home when my first child was born.  Our pastor told us that we needed to do what we believed God was telling us to do.  So, even though I was then making more money than my husband, we made the decision for me to stay home to raise Matthew.  It was hard in a lot of ways; but, we stuck with it.  Eventually, the Lord lead me to homeschool Matthew as well.  Fast forward....three more kids....Hubby has a great job....Hubby loses great job....starts business....business fails....series of less than profitable jobs after a period of unemployment....

During this time, one of my hardest struggles has been with whether I should get a job.  I have a college education which my dad was wonderful to finance for me.  I kept thinking that if Hubby wasn't making money, I should.  The problem was that I didn't feel I had God's or Hubby's blessing to leave the children to work.  In fact, Hubby was against it.  Every time I started looking for work, the tension level in me and in my family skyrocketed.  When I stopped looking, everything calmed down again.  Even after months of looking on and off, nothing came up.  I had a few interviews early on; but, even though I could have done the work easily, nothing came of it. 

Meanwhile, my husband was still telling me not to work.  I have four kids, a house, and homeschooling to do.  Finally, I realized that I needed to trust God and trust my husband and do with what I have.  I released the worry, though not without grabbing it up once in awhile.  I am doing what God has given me to do.  Hubby is doing what God has given him to do.  We're trusting God for the rest.  God has taken care of us miraculously at times.  We've been disappointed at times.  But, I've learned to appreciate the small things in life.  Like I told my friend, I always have a ball of yarn when I need it.  That may seem small; but, a few dollars for yarn is a luxury.  God has given me some of those little things. 

So, if you're in a tough situation, seek God.  Listen.  Be still.  Try to calm your nerves and trust what your husband and your God are telling you.  Walk in faith.  Look for the little blessings.  Focus on the good.  You can do this.  In Christ's strength, you can do this.


God bless you, keep you, and encourage you all,
Laura
Content and blessed at home

P.S. I wrote this a few years ago when my husband was unemployed. He's unemployed again. The same questions have gone through my mind. I asked God. I asked my husband. Now I'm waiting on the Lord and staying home with my family and taking care of them until my husband or my God asks me to do otherwise. Laura 2/21/16

Update 4/14/16 My husband found a job and has been working almost two weeks. In just over a week, we will receive the first paycheck. It's been four months since my husband closed his business. No unemployment benefits, no food stamps, but somehow, someway, God has taken care of us through it all. Don't give up!

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Weakness... Strength
~~~~~