Counting My Blessings

With all that's going on in this world today and some recent personal happennings, I feel compelled to count my blessings. Please note that I am not posting this to brag about my successes while so many others are facing hardship after hardship right now, I am just extremely thankful for what I do have and how God is blessing me and my family at the moment.

I'll start with yesterday - we had a mandatory company-wide meeting yesterday and before anyone knew what was going on the rumors were flying, as you can imagine. "Layoffs? Pay decreases? No longer moving to our new facility?" All relative concerns, however nobody had a definite answer to any of these things, it was all just speculation. Of course it didn't help when the boss started out the meeting with, "I've got some good news and I've got some bad news." Unfortunately our offices in other locations across the country are having to lay off some people right now, however, thankfully, our office will not be experiencing any layoffs. Thank you Jesus, although please be with those that are losing their jobs and don't know what they will do now to support their families. I am extremely thankful to have a job during these difficult times, even though I may complain from time to time about having to get out of bed each morning and drag myself to the office and force myself through another day just to do it all over again the next day. I am thankful the Lord is providing for me - and my fiance for that matter. We both have jobs that we feel pretty secure in for the time being.

I am also thankful that my fiance and I have jobs right now as we are trying to pay off our wedding and honeymoon and set up for our new future together. That is one thing we prayed when we first got engaged and started planning this wedding is that we would both remain employed so we could continue on with our plans. God is an awesome God and He has answered our prayers!!

Still on the topic of jobs - I am extremely thankful that both my mom and my sister FOUND a job during this trying time. It may not be exactly what they want, but it IS a job and it's helping to pay the bills right now. I just pray they continue to get along and don't try to kill each other - as they are working together!!

On the other hand, I do have some unfortunate news; however, we never know when situations that seem bad at the time can actually be blessings in disguise. My future father-in-law was let go from his job this week. He has worked in this industry his entire adult life and is not sure what he will do now. He is willing to relocate if need be, which will hopefully help, but is concerned that age may be a factor as he is approaching retirement. Unfortunately he's not able to take early retirement - he needs to work as long as possible. So, we are praying that something comes available for him soon and this process does not take too long or is not too grueling.

Also, my own father is experiencing some difficulty in his job -while he does have a job and we are thankful for that - he is only being paid once a month. That makes things extremely tight at times although it does help now that my mom is bringin' home some bacon too. Also, his company was just sold so we're sure there are some changes coming - hopefully for the better.

I know many of you out there have difficult circumstances of your own and some far worse than the ones I have mentioned above. I pray that you hold on and realize that these are just trying times and this will all pass. And as I mentioned above, keep your eyes opened for some of those blessings in disguise!!! God works in mysterious ways!