"For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation."
The last few years have humbled me a lot. We've come from being able to go and do and buy much of what we wanted, whether with cash or credit, to going and doing without and buying mostly necessities. It's a hard thing not to be able to take your children to a free zoo day because you cannot put enough gasoline in the car to get there and back. It's our life right now.
So many of the things that people are worried about losing because of the economy, we've already lost...401K...house...vehicles, good credit. It started with a boss who decided that my husband's pay should be cut in half, and he should work twice as hard. It continued with a business that we started using our house as collateral. Don't do that. It's stupid. Why didn't we see that? The business failed, we lost all that we had of monetary value about two years ago. And it was two weeks until Christmas. It was all very humbling.
BUT GOD saved us. I believe salvation is more than just salvation from hell. It's salvation from ourselves and salvation in our circumstances as well. That probably sounds like it's some doctrinal thing; but it's not. I just believe that He is our ever present help in trouble. He calls Himself I AM. I believe He's saying, "I AM everything you need." He never took us out of our terrible circumstances. He still hasn't; BUT GOD has helped us through them.
He sent an old friend to the door with a Christmas card for us. Enclosed was a check for $1000 from a group of old friends we used to go to church with in another town. ~Wow~ So, we prayed. What do we do with this? Two days later, a friend wasn't feeling well, but felt like she had to go to Bible study. She told the group that we were looking for a vehicle because we had no vehicle and would have no home in a couple of weeks. One of the ladies had an old van. She wanted $1000 for it. We bought it the next day! Thank you God!
We have four children and a little dog. We couldn't find a place to live because no one wanted to rent to someone with four children, a dog, and ruined credit. BUT GOD! Lowell saw an ad and we went to look at a house. It was for sale by owner; but, God worked it out so that the man chose to rent it just a day or two before we looked at it! Two hundred dollar deposit, and we got to keep the children and the dog, too! HE's so GOOD!
Thank you God!
Laura
Crowned with Salvation
God is so good, isn't he! I really believe the hard times were meant to keep us humble and you are proof of that! You are rich my friend! Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteI have been through a very similar situation Laura, and as humbling as it was it was always one of the most treasured experiences of my life and blessed me in so very many ways. I know that this post will mean a lot to a great deal of people today as there are so many that are having to cope with the same thing. Bless your for your kind heart and gentle ways.
ReplyDeleteWOW, is what I initially want to say, but "thank you" is what I need to say.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this part of your life, the bottom of the pile ....but mostly for sharing how "faithful" and "creative" our God really is. It is very encouraging to hear this at this time in my life.
"May God continue to bless you and to keep you"
Cindy♥
We, too, have been there Laura ~ and the Lord provided at the very moment we needed it. He is good!
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord!
Blessings,
Lea
Dear Laura, I also know what it is to lose all, especially when we work so hard for it!In Psalm 23 it says," Yea, tho' I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me ...!" We go through, not around, we see the dark shadow, but we do not fear because He walks with us. I think trials are how we work out our Salvation, and we learn to not fear. Only Believe!
ReplyDeleteI love your honesty and your lovely family! Pamela Story