2010 Is Winding Up Better Than It Began...

Sometime in mid-May of this year, I was driving the kids to the shoe store after a particularly bad day.  Every person in our family had had a lousy day, and the topper was when I saw my sweet Jesse walking down the hot sidewalk, barefoot, with big tears in his eyes.  He had just gotten off of the bus, and his feet were burning on that hot concrete.  With his voice shaking, and tears flowing, he said, "Someone stole my flip flops at splash day."  They were cool little shoes, and he'd only had them for maybe a week.  They'd had a big splash day celebration at school, and he'd taken off his shoes to go down the big inflatable waterslide.  When he'd gone back, the new shoes were gone.  I'd asked the ladies in the office and his teacher about the shoes, but they had just disappeared.  The older boys got home and both had had rotten days, as well.  At this point with Brian's job, it had been a daily struggle.  At that time, he'd seen the company fleet repossessed, constables come to the office to shut down the place due to non-payment of taxes, and--worst of all--we'd found out that the company had deducted insurance premiums from the employees' paychecks (yes, including ours), but had not paid the insurance company.  Somewhere in the mix, Brian had had to stay away from the office for a day because a former employee was threatening to come and shoot one of the owners. 

So, on this bright, sunny day in May, the children and I drove to the shoe store to get Jesse some more flip flops.  There was no laughter in the back seat and we were all miserable.  Jacob spoke up and said, "This has not been our year."  I kind of agreed, and unfortunately, the year wasn't even halfway over! 

Anyway, fast forward to this week, and Brian told me that our dear dentist, Dr. Kevin Seidler, called him to let us know that he had been praying for our family at Thanksgiving.  Brian shared with him that he had just gotten a new job and that it is a wonderful opportunity.  He thanked Dr. Seidler for his encouragement of us and for his prayers on our behalf.  Dr. Seidler paid us a very nice compliment and told Brian that we have a special family.  Just a short while later, Dr. Seidler called back.  He had a patient come in who happened to be a pastor.  Dr. Seidler shared with this man a little about our family and about how happy he was for us that after seven weeks of being unemployed, God had given Brian a job.  The man looked at Dr. Seidler and handed him a $100 bill to give to us.  We were so touched that a man who does not know us would be so generous and kind towards us. 

I was reflecting on this incident this morning as I was preparing to go to work, and I cannot fathom why God has been so kind to us.  I believe that even though 2010 did not seem like our year in May, it seems like God has done us an extraordinary kindness in bringing us through the challenges that we have faced.  Brian and I were just talking about how much our perspective has changed through the trials and through the blessings.  One hundred dollars would not have seemed like much two years ago. Today, it seems like a very generous gift--particularly because it came from someone unknown to us. 

We are both seeing the blessings that God is showering upon us--they are there in small things if you look for them:  Smiles and laughter from little children; the faithfulness of a good friend; the sun shining on our faces; long, heartfelt conversations; and so many more.  I've been so touched by so many things lately.  It takes almost nothing to bring tears to my eyes these days (both tears of joy and tears of sadness). 

Anyway, maybe 2010 will be our year after all.  I told Brian tonight that we may look back at this year and find out that it was one of our best because it was the year that God changed our perspectives.  I pray that I never, ever take little things for granted again.

Many blessings,

Jennifer