The Greatest Gift

I contemplated this for the last 2 days...is this something that you blog to the world or is this personal and you keep to yourself and within your family? Then I thought why not share, maybe you are facing the same situation or a hardship and maybe our story will help. Maybe you went through this and have advice on how you made it.

So...here we go...the week in review:

Monday

Normal day, Tony and I go to work after a great weekend! Kids are off to school. I come home from work and everything seems normal and then Tony shares that there is a chance he might lose his job.

He lays out the details and my mind is blank. Maybe in a little denial and even a little mad.

That night we go to my parents to celebrate my neices birthday! We ask my parents to pray. Together the 5 of us (mom, dad, Mark (my brother), Tony and I) join hands and my dad prays. I sat there fighting back tears.  2 words my dad said have stayed with me...mercy and grace.

Neither of us sleep that night.

Tuesday

Not much changed today, but we decided if this is going to happen we need to prepare financially and see where we can cut cost and re-organize.

Luckily I did go back to work full time last year. I didn't want to, but it was a good opportunity and I couldn't let it slip by.
(Thank you God!)

Our health insurance will be covered through my job.
(Thank you God!)

Tony has great contacts and professional relationships that he has developed over the years.

 (Thank you God!)

There is room to cut cost! (Thank you God!)

Mercy and Grace

When I need guidance and direction I will sit down with my bible and say a prayer, close my eyes, and blindly open my bible. God always allows me to open to a passage that is pertinent to the situation at hand!

(one time it was the story of Jonah and the whale...LOL..got the message God!)

Today this is what I read:

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalms 33:24

Wednesday:

No news, but Tony hears Human Resources will be at office tomorrow.

Still ringing loud and clear in my ears, Mercy and Grace.

Tony and I both pray and have a sence of peace. No matter what happens, our family will be okay. The most imporant part is God first, family second and everything else will fall into place.

Thursday:

Tony is laid off.

Plan put into place. Cell phones disconnected, sell the Tahoe, sell the motorcycle, cut out frivolous items. It actually feels okay. It is amazing when you make God first and family second....the stuff doesn't matter!

Thank you God....for not letting us buy the farmhouse!

We tell my parents.

We go to visit Tony's dad. We tell him what has transpired. His dad looks at his watch the time is 7:17. 

Jim looks up at us and says...Mary is with us,
7:17 is Mary's birthday.
(Tony's mom who passed away 3 years ago)

We sit in silence...Thank you God for your ever present Grace.

That night I again open my bible, this time to:

"These Things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Saturday:

I reflect back over the week and yes I guess God could have saved Tonys job, but that was not the plan. I am at peace. There are great lessons learned this week. The kids are also learning a great lesson about what is most important in life, and its is not a Wii!

Last night we put up the kids Christmas tree. Filled with ornaments that they made, the best kind!

This morning Sarah went into her room and later emerged with wrapped presents from her own things, one for each of us.  The kind of presents that come from the heart! I'll let you know on Christmas what the are!

Today I want to thank God for the greatest gift possible Mercy and his everlasting Grace. May we never forget to always put you first and trust in your plan for us!

No matter what this world may bring we will always have God's grace and the love and support of our family! What a thankful Thanksgiving it will be!