Trials are a part of life as well John 16:33

All too often we focus on the negative and get "stuck" in the past and not think of the blessings and all of the good things that God has done for us. I am guilty of doing this too. Back in 2003-2004 we went through some financial hardships and I was very angry at God that he would allow this exspecially when we were trying so hard to get ahead, I felt these things should not happen to Christians who work their backside off to pay the bills. A check bounced for a lot of money causing my assets to be frozen for three months. This never would have happen if I lived at home I fumed.

But what was some of the good things that happened? My pastor and his wife lend us money we ate a lot of spaghetti and toast because that was all we could afford along with canned vegetables. At the time I was travelling 64 miles round trip just to go to work. My landlady lost her husband and she had to be away on business and we babysat her pets each time we did she took $100.00 off the rent any time we brought what little groceries we could everything was on sale, my friend had a BBQ and send us home with enough food for a week. I used to belong to a weight loss organization and they had a raffle and I won and was able to put gas in my car.

No God did not take the trial away and the reason the check bounced was the car dealership said they would wait until the next day to cash my check( the next day would have been pay day for me) and they cashed the check THAT DAY causing all our financial upsets. There were times we only could put 50 cents in the offering because that is all we had left.

I was very angry at God and dropped out of the choir and refused to sing for two years. I did everything right I waited until I was married, I go to church, I read my Bible and I pray why does not God pick on some other people for a change? I was so mad at God for not intervening if I had my way I would have stopped going to church (but Shawn would not let me)

But I learned maturity and this trial helped me to grow Psalm 119: 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I may learn your statues. And to be blunt I learned to grow up. This is life and life is hard sometimes even when you try to do the right things.

It has been over 4 years since all hell broke loose after I had that financial upset in 2004 My father had a stroke, I lost my job after 10 years we were asked to leave our apartment even though we were excellent tenants, and nine days after I was given notice about my job my husband had a very painful procedure/surgery done all within 4 months time. I basically had a melt down and went for counseling and to top it all off I found out that I would never be able to have children.

I felt the trials I was going through was a waste of my valuable and precious time but there was fruit, I learned gratefulness, I learned not to take food shopping for granted. I had a rude awakening just because my parents were upper middle class did not mean I was going to be. Eventually the dust settled and things did get better in a couple of months and when our anniversary came we were given gift certificates to go out to eat and we were so appreciative because for those three months there was not a penny to spare for anything. I had to pay for the bounced check for our cracked windsheild repair and by Gods grace none of the other checks bounced or were overdrawn.

My point in telling you all this is there is hope in the midst of despair and if God brings you to it He will bring you through it.
Anyone who tells you that being a Christian is easy and fun all the times is misleading you. I remember these times because it is the yesterdays that bring us to today. Are you going through a tough hard trial that will not seem to back off? Rejoice in the Lord and know that The Lord does things for a reason, s purpose and a plan. Today is March 30, 2008 and when we moved to AZafter 13 years of marriage God through my sister Kathy helped us to get this beautiful brand new apartment. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but humility comes before honor Proverbs 15:33 God never said it would be easy but He did say it would be worth it Matthew 6:33.

I want to dedicate this post to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ I may have walked away from you for that season in my life but you my Lord never left my side. Thank you for restoring what the years the Locust have eaten Joel 2:25 but even more important thank you for forgiving me for being so angry and hostile toward you. I love you Jesus e4g