Stripped

This past Friday, my husband lost his job.  He was the VP for Marketing and New Business Development for an oil and gas products company.  He was confident in the security of his job because he was in charge of developing new business, especially overseas.  Unfortunately, he worked for a man that has never been much of a visionary and tends to panic, so Scot's job became a "luxury the company couldn't afford."  I'm not sure how coming up with new business is a luxury, seems more like a necessity, but what do I know?  

The 24 hours following the revelation of our "new normal" were intense for both of us.  Scot felt peaceful and I felt like I was not going to be able to survive one more thing being thrown our way.  Scot began to pray that he would honor God above all else in this process and I was asking "Why us?".  Scot felt confident in our security and I started mourning the loss of a life I really enjoyed.  

I felt like life as we know it had been stripped away.  

There was nothing familiar about our tomorrow and I was scared to death.  I cried a river of tears and wondered why in the world, of all the years I chose to observe Lent and to give up sweets, I chose this one.  I didn't even have my go-to earthly comfort to rely on.  

Yesterday I spent a lot of time in God's word.  I wrote down scriptures, cried out to God, and began to feel His presence descend all over me.  

Trust ME.  Rely on ME.  Look for ME in these circumstances.  Let ME bear the

burden of your fear and anxiety.  Take comfort in ME.

I was reminded of the days when my boys were little and the phrase, "Look at my eyes" was uttered by me 13, 000 times a day.  It was like their ears didn't work correctly unless they were actually looking at me when I spoke to them.

Look at MY eyes, Keri.  Don't look around you.  Look at ME.  Listen only to ME.  

You will not fall.  I will not let you.

We told the boys yesterday morning that their dad no longer had a job.  They were concerned and had a lot of questions.  The conversation quickly turned to job options for Scot.  N suggested he consider becoming a Paleontologist and G thought he'd be great working at a museum since "he knows so much stuff".  Then they could have VIP passes.  Starbucks would also be an option because of their employee discount.

Then G, in all of his 10 year old wisdom, put his hand on his dad's knee, looked at him and said, "You do a really great job being my dad and NOONE can take that job away from you."

I am your heavenly Father.  I am in control and I do a really good

job taking care of you.  Let ME do my job.

We have no idea what is going to happen next.  I am thankful that I have options to work in a career that could support us.  I am thankful that we have been very sensitive to God speaking when we almost made some financial choices that could have been detrimental to us now.  I am thankful for the gift of supportive family and amazing friendships that will carry us through.  I am thankful to be married to a man that so quickly looked for God in this circumstance and chooses to honor Him through it.  

I do not think Scot is expendable.  He is valuable and could not be replaced in our family.

Today, Scot and I are feeling a sense of excitement.  We are anticipating what God is going to do next.  We have looked at the things that have been stripped away and realize that we can see God more clearly when they are gone.  

Having a relationship with ME means that life is going to be an adventure.

I am the tour guide.  You are not going to believe where I am going to 

take you and the blessings you will receive for going there with ME.

Please pray for us, that is what we covet the most.