This post is a little different from what I usually write on TFF, but I like being honest with y’all, and I do my very best to try to help you in any way I can- whether that be healthy eating, finance tips, wedding planning tips, or like today as I share this story.
The day Andrew and I celebrated our six month anniversary, we were both unemployed and unsure how we were going to make ends meet.
In early September, I was picking up a few things at Wal-Mart when Andrew called me to tell me he’d been laid off along with a few other guys at his company. I was in shock. This was entirely unexpected. I left my cart of items right where it was and drove home immediately, praying feverishly.
Andrew and I are both Christians, which means our faith lies in the plans God has for us and not in our own plans (though we do need reminding of that sometimes 😉 )
I prayed for days that God would reveal his plan to us. We had no income, and we certainly knew the bills would come anyway. We reviewed our finances and were somewhat relieved (put money into your emergency fund every month, people!). But we knew it would only last so long.
I had been looking for a job for two months after finishing my Master’s degree. Andrew worked hard so that I could keep looking for an exercise physiologist job and find something I really enjoyed doing.
Now we were suddenly entirely without income and unsure of how long we would be in this situation.
My family was incredible. I got so many texts and phone calls from family wanting to help in any way they could. One of my cousins talked to me about how getting laid off is something that happens, and life keeps moving. Things will be okay. That’s what my family kept telling me, and we were so comforted by their love.
I wrote on a piece of paper, “His plans, not ours” and taped it to our fridge to remind Andrew and I that this situation was entirely out of our hands. We both applied for jobs all over Texas. I prayed each night that God would show us where He wanted us to go.
I remember one Saturday night, I prayed and let it all go. I put my hands up and gave the whole situation to God. I wasn’t going to worry anymore because I had faith that His plans were good.
There’s a sense of peace that comes when you surrender your future to Christ. It’s an incredible thing.
The day after Andrew got laid off, he received a call from a company that had gotten his information through a referral. The company had locations in all the major Texas cities, and a few weeks later asked Andrew if he would be interested in a position that was in Dallas for 9 months and then permanently move to San Antonio. We talked, and agreed that a temporary move like that would be very difficult, especially when I found a job too. It was tough to turn down, especially since we both wanted to be in the DFW area. I was worried we had closed the door with this company, but again, we had to trust in God’s plan.
Two phone interviews and an in-person interview later, the company offered Andrew a permanent position in their Fort Worth office, with a raise and relocation assistance. We move tomorrow.
As Christians, we are called to shout God’s goodness from the rooftops. Well, this is my rooftop. We never lost faith that God would bring His plans to fruition. I can’t wait to see all that He has planned for us.
Trusting in God means you praise Him and trust Him in the good times and the bad. If you’re dealing with a difficult situation, my prayer for you is that you hold tightly onto the love, grace and goodness that is Jesus Christ. He is good. He is faithful. He will provide. Trust Him.
“Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7
“For we know that God works for the good of those that love him.” Romans 8:28
Thanks so much for reading. Hold onto your faith.
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