Big Faith Gets Bigger Results

Ever since we met, my husband has worked in the food and beverage industry.  When we started dating he was the Marketing Manager for a local restaurant and bar and was continually promoted over the years.  The food and beverage industry is one that requires a lot of odd hours and I knew this before we were ever married or had kids (I too worked in the restaurant industry for several years).  I understood the demands of running a restaurant and that he would be away many nights and would always work weekends.  I was okay with this...until we had kids.

In January, my husband was the General Manager of a local restaurant where he worked days, evenings, and weekends.  As a full-time working mom of 2 under 2, I was struggling to keep it together.  Exhaustion doesn't even explain it, and "single mom" was uttered from my lips more times than I would like to admit (I am in no way saying I am a single mom, and I truly have no idea how you singles do it, kudos to you!).  My husband was complacent in his job, so he wasn't looking for other opportunities even when I would beg him to try and find something else (usually after he closed 2 nights in a row during the week, and I had crying babies all around me).  Then it happened, it hit the fan.

It was the end of January and my husband got the flu.  He got a doctor's note for work and then was out for several days (in restaurant industry, there are no sick days, someone has to cover your management shift if you are out).  By Wednesday he was starting to feel better and closed down the restaurant that night and the next night, he was also scheduled to work that Friday night as well, but had the weekend off at least.  And thank goodness, I was "single mommy" to 3 kids that week!  But then, the inevitable text from his boss came Friday afternoon:  You're going to need to work Saturday and Sunday to make up for your missed shifts this week.

My husband texted me at work informing me of the text he'd gotten and how upset he was.  He was so frustrated that time and time again he was working nights and weekends away from his family and was missing out on spending quality time with our boys.  I remember reading his text and hearing the frustration.  I immediately texted back: why don't you just quit.

Wait, what?  Did I just type that?  Am I telling my husband, the bread-winner, to quit his job?  I'm a teacher....in North Carolina....I am POOR!  What am I doing?  (God??)

I started looking at our bank account, and realized between our checking and savings we could survive without his paycheck for a while.

Wait, what?  Why am I looking at this?  (God??)

I printed out our bill calendar, started calculating and realized it really was possible.

I left work as soon as the bell rang, and my husband met me at the door.

"Seriously, just quit.  Here are our statements and bill calendar, we can make it work."

Wait, what?  Are these words really coming out of my mouth? (God??)

Excitement hit!  My husband felt joy!  Then he became uncertain..."You support me doing this?  Just up and quitting my job?"  I really did, I truly believed the timing of his illness and the requirement to work yet another weekend, was a sign from God.  God had been whispering for me to support my husband and help him transition from a stagnant job this whole time. 


My response, "Go into work today and give your notice."  I read his face and knew that this was what he wanted to do, but there was still uncertainty.  He hadn't applied for any jobs, he had nothing out there waiting in the wings.  He asked me to pray with him.  We joined hands and began praying to our Heavenly Father, asking for guidance and for Him to speak to my husband and tell him if this was the right move.  If this is what He was asking of us.  After our prayer, my husband left for work still unsure of what his next step was.  I remember telling him as he walked out the door, "You will have an answer when you pull into your parking spot."

Fifteen minutes later, I got a call.  My husband called to tell me he knew what to do and was walking in to give his notice!  Let the application process begin.

We were blessed that we could still afford childcare which gave my husband the opportunity to apply for jobs full-time and schedule interviews.   He was unemployed for just over a month.  his last day was February 12th and he was offered a job on March 18th.  Fun fact:  This job was the 1st one he had applied for!  Another fun fact:  During the interview, the owner mentioned how he serves in his church and the phrase "family-oriented" was used multiple times.

Since starting his new job, my husband has been praised and appreciated more than in his previous career.  And to top it all off, this job has provided a financial raise that we couldn't have foreseen.

Pause:  I'm not here to brag about money, I'm here to brag about God.  He is the one who provided the guidance, He is the one who provided the finances while we lived on 1 salary, He is the one who is increasing my husband's potential.

We prayed: And He gave us the best answer we could have ever imagined.

My husband is home every night and weekend now.  My husband is serving in our church because he is free on Sundays.  My husband is watching our boys grow and is molding them into godly young men.

If you feel like you're in need of a change, I urge you to pray and ask God for guidance.  He will fulfill all of your needs beyond what you can imagine.

Weekly Verse: 12/19

So, I just realized today is Thursday and I never posted my weekly verse.  Pregnancy Brain must be getting to me.  However, this slip couldn't have come at a better time.  I'm sure you've all heard about the A&E/Phil Robertson controversy and I think that could stand to be addressed.

I want you to think about this for just moment:
Phil Robertson voiced an opinion, a belief, and in a country where we have Freedom of Speech he is being punished for his "politically incorrect" views.  Wait!  Before you bite my head off, let me state that I do firmly believe that his comments were crude; however, that is my opinion and I am entitled to it.  It is also my opinion that he has every right to stand by his faith and speak up for things he doesn't believe in.  He quotes the word of God, and while his beliefs may not be popular or accepted by society he is entitled to them.

I spent years in the high school English classroom teaching my students about debating topics.  We debated some very touchy subjects (war, religion, politics, etc).  However in my classroom students were taught that they were to respect everyone's opinion.  That doesn't mean they had to agree with it, but they had to respect it and accept it as an opinion or belief.  I had 11th grade students, 16 year olds, who understood this better than our media-driven society.  People think that just because something offends them (especially if it is related to the Bible and Christianity) that they should condemn others and punish them for exercising a right that was bestowed on our country (which was founded on Christian beliefs).

I applaud Phil Robertson for standing up for his beliefs.  I don't agree with his choice of words, but I don't have to.  He stood on the word of God and supported his statements with Biblical facts.

This week's verse focuses on just that:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness. (Ephesians 6:10-17, ESV)

Weekly Verse: 11/12

This past week, I went searching for a verse for this week.  One that would stand out for me, one that I could relate to.  I just couldn't find the right one, ya know?  Of course there were a few verses that I have bookmarked that I could have used, but I was looking for "the right one".  Yesterday morning, I opened my YouVersion Bible App and the verse of the day was absolutely perfect.  It relates to everyone at any point in their journey.

There have been many times when I've been hanging out with my church friends and we begin talking about why we came to Freedom House, how we met our husbands, just general girl talk.  This is part of our bonding and I love the stories we share. 

What I talk about my past sometimes I am ashamed because I strayed away from Christ and the church for many years.  Granted, I do not divulge all of the nitty gritty details, but it's still hard to think about the person I was for a little while. 

However, even with the few details I do give, these women do not judge me; in fact sometimes I feel like they welcome me in to their circle even more.  Because of my past I'm able to have a future.  I have been able to turn my actions, attitude, etc around and I've become someone others can relate to.

I love that regardless of where we've been and what we've done in our past, we can shed that with a promise in Jesus Christ.  Isn't that so uplifting to hear? It warms my heart knowing all my sin is wiped away and I'm renewed each day.

This week's verse:
Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. (Philippians 3:13)