Thankfully my husband is a strong Christian, but even so, this is hard for him to manage. When he's done all he can possibly do and that doesn't generate income, it makes a person wonder. Makes you look up at the Lord and ask why, or to question your motives or behavior. To look at possible sin that might be standing in the way. Well, this is where my head goes. I come from a church past that was big on guilt, so I'm always ready and willing to take the guilt route and be to blame. Glad to not be with that particular congregation anymore. But Gary tells me it's not usually punishment that causes life to squeeze us so, sometimes the circumstances of the world we live in are a factor. We know of many businesses related to what he does who've gone under. A 75 year old Oriental rug company is closing...he did repair work for one of the owners the other day and got the story. Furniture companies and Interior Designers are suffering as well. And with Gary in the furniture build/repair line of work, it all ties together.
Anyway, I told Gary....look at this washing machine. A perfect example of God's grace and mercy. A gift that was over-the-top in meeting our needs that weren't even expressed. Even as I type that I remember that I didn't tell our priest we couldn't afford a new machine, or that we couldn't repair it. Just that I was washing the old-fashioned way. Figured we'd manage somehow, just hadn't come up with how. I never stated a specific need.
As I think about it, God's often answering our prayers even before we utter them. Makes me shiver to think of it. And if our priest is one of God's messengers, how cool to think of the Lord answering needed income prayers even now as I write this out. End of the month...miracles are happening. I'm going to be thankful beforehand. Kind of exciting, once you think about it. God Almighty caring about us, even how I wash the clothes. Love that thought.
