Thank you to everyone who linked up last week! It was such a blessing to read your stories ๐
WHAT IS THE “BEHIND THE SCENES” LINK UP?ย
The Photo:ย
Reality?
I was home doing laundry in the middle of the week, washing clothes stuffed with tissues because I lost my job. My full-time job. The career I loved. Gone in the blink of an eye. I woke up that morning and, for the first time, did not rush out of the house to my corporate job with the fancy title and the important tasks. The biggest decision I made that day was “long yoga pants or capri yoga pants.”
We were not prepared for this. I’ll be honest. I’m not “fine” right now. I’m terrified. I don’t know what our lives will look like this week, what doors God will open, or what we’re going to face. I feel like I’m walking again through the stages of grief and fought extreme guilt on Sunday when we had to turn down an invitation to go to breakfast with dear friends because eating out? We don’t do that anymore. Buying Starbucks coffee at the store has been replaced with Maxwell House, and I struggle to know that I took away that small joy from my foodie husband. Summer trips for the kiddo have been cancelled.
However, God has revealed several things to me over the last week:
- I put all of my worth into my job, my title, and the fact that I could call myself a “full-time working mama” – this idol is no longer in my life.
- I have amazing friends. Friends who send scripture, check in daily, invite me over for coffee, and send pizza to my family (from across the country). God ordained the timing of my involvement in so many online communities perfectly, knowing the day would come that these women would gather around me in prayer & support when I needed it most.
- He provides. I woke up that morning & had a request for Virtual Assistant work in my inbox – a job that paid for the dentist bill that came in the mail later that day. The work is for women I admire, women who are chasing God Sized Dreams and it is a joy to do. God knew I would find Him in this work.ย
- God knows. He knew long before this happened that it would be my reality. He knows now what the future holds and how this will bring joy to the Kingdom. He knows the pain in my heart, and He knows when and how healing will come.ย
I don’t know what life will look like a week from now, a month from now, or a year from now. But God knows. He knows why. He knows the doors that will open, when, and how. For now, I’ll keep laying the cries of my heart at the foot of the cross…and will check those pockets for tissues before I do the next load of laundry ๐ย
Oh Crystal, I’m so sorry… Praying for you as you go through this. Thankful to be writing with you at Allume and getting to know you better there too…
Oh ((hugs)) sweet friend. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been, but I also can’t help but stand in awe that God is already piecing together a specific purpose and calling for you. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for you, because YOU, my friend, are destined for great things when you continue to fix your eyes on Him, the author of your life whose story for you is only beginning to unfold.
Thank you ๐
Your prayers got me through a whole day of no crying – the timing could not have been more perfect ๐
{{hugs}} thank you Mary!
Mel, you are one of my biggest prayer warriors! Know those prayers were felt, received, and answered today ๐
You bless me, seeing my heart so clearly. Thank you ๐
Amen, sister. Exhausted, exhilarated, refined, and closer to Him – what more could a girl ask for ๐ Thank you for sharing a little of your story with me here, and for reaching out. That means so much!
Thank you so much Heidi! I’m so glad you enjoy the link up, and I truly appreciate your sweet words ๐
He has been blessing my socks off the last few days – and I’ve had eyes open to see it, receive it, praise Him for it. Not possible without prayers of my warrior sisters!
Thank you, Emily
Oh Chrissy, bless your heart. Know that I am lifting you in prayer today, singing to the Father with you. He provides. He is faithful. I learned last week that living in the unknown is far scarier than knowing & moving on. My heart is with you today.
Ahhh, you have written the thoughts that are keeping me awake in the night.
I haven’t, officially, lost my job, but the unknowns look impossible for things to continue as they have in the past. My husband is fighting a chronic illness that brings pain 24/7…his job is suffering because of it. And then there are the children (teenagers!), the college tuition, the house payment–so, I stop and breathe. I listen. I sing.
Heading over to my blog to post my picture and story; I’ll be back to link up!
ReadWriteSing
Prayers for provision and peace and whatever new amazing thing He has in store… grace for the transition, sweet sister… He’s got this!
Wow. Thank you for sharing your story, right where you are today. I’ve just started following you so I don’t want to presume to know what you need or what God’s doing in your life, but your words are an encouragement and I’m excited to see what comes next for you. Thanks for orchestrating Behind The Scenes, this is a wonderful opportunity.
You were on my mind this morning, so I decided to ‘look you up’ and check on you, friend.
Wow. You’ve been smacked in the head with the 2×4 of reality. While I’m truly sorry for your job loss, I’m also very excited to watch you lean into Him and see where He takes you. I’ll be honest with you. It’s going to be a gritty-on-your-knees-on-your-face-roller-coaster-hang-on-cling-to-Him kind of experience…and you’re going to come out on the other side exhausted and exhilarated. Mourn the loss of your job, then accept the challenges (financial and otherwise) you’ll face knowing He will carry your through it all. <-- I write this with much love and a goose egg on my head from when I was smacked with the 2x4 of reality as well. ๐ My experience may be a bit different, though I am forever grateful to Him for showing me how I could rely on Him. ((HUGS)) and prayers, Crystal. It's going to be okay. Love ya, sweet friend!
The way you just shared real life is so encouraging. Thank you for your transparency that brings truth. Hoping for peace that passes all understanding to be so evident in your days.
Hugs and prayers for you, friend. I’m so sorry…praying for extra encouragement for you today!
Oh friend! I am praying for you and I admire your courage in bravely and boldly sharing this with all of us. I can relate to the fear, the loss, the unknown and as someone else already said God’s got this! He knows what is going on and will reveal to you what you need to know…when you need to know it. That is part of where the faith comes into play…believing…even when we can’t see. Hugs and prayers coming your way!!
{{hugs}} sweet friend. That feeling of loss, wondering where you are going and what your purpose is? I’ve been there. Those moments can be heart wrenching but I promise you, He’s got this. His plan is perfect and His timing is never off.
I’m sorry that I didn’t know about this sooner so I could cover you in prayer – although now I’ll be storming heaven for you!
Loved this you brave girl. Praying for you…
Thank you for sharing your story, your wisdom & your encouragement with me today! Looking forward to reading your post ๐
Crystal – friend – really looking forward to this link up. I really wanted to give you a huge ninja hug tonight while reading this!
God’s got this! Deuteronomy 31:8 has been my mantra since we realized that following flight school we’d have no jobs and no home… with two kids and a dog in tow. We moved 1500+ miles with no idea how we’d pay for the house we were trying to buy or where God wanted us. He felt so silent, despite all our cries and prayers. Little by little things started falling into place, but certainly not in our timing. 3 months we lived in a friend’s basement (with their two kids and two dogs — it was a crowded house!). The jobs my husband applied to fell through, but God nudged me to apply to a job I originally wasn’t sure about… and I had an offer within a couple weeks. We still don’t know what His plans are for us, but this has been a major test of trust and patience. My long-winded point is that I know what you’re going through. I know the fear, the worry, the doubt, the wondering how you’re going to feed your family and feeling bad that your hubby can no longer have the fancy coffee ๐ One thing I’m learning, though… slowly but surely… open doors aren’t always the ones we are meant to take… so be sure to always discern and pray when an opportunity arises! Lots of love to you… will link up in the morning!!!