God really does work in mysterious ways....re:unemployment

[RonJohnSilver]

For the last 5 months or so, I've been out of work and like so many, it has not been an easy time. For me, my unemployment runs out next week. Fortunately, my wife is still working and keeping our household afloat. As a consequence of all this, we had to file for bankruptcy....we met with the lawyer yesterday prior to the actual filing date and she told us that we were still 1,000.00 over the limit for bankruptcy proceedings. So, her suggestion is that I stay OUT OF WORK for another 4 months or so and in so doing, that will put us under the limit so the proceedings can continue. http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/i...es/shocked.gif

But,..it gets better.... If, by some chance, I should get a job, the way the numbers run...it would put us into a position whereby, according to the law, we would be compelled to pay back all of our outstanding debts...even though they would amount to several thousand dollars a month and which we could never repay. So, in short, we are actually in better financial shape if I stay out of work than if I were working. http://www.raptureforums.com/forum/i...es/scratch.gif
I know,...welcome to America. But, not working at all seems like such a wrong thing to do, or not do. I don't believe that God gives us various abilities so we can not use them. So, what to do? We've been praying about this for awhile, first to get a job, now to not get a job....odd as that sounds.
Anyway, to make a long story a bit shorter, I felt that God was opening up some insight for me. For now, rather than applying for every job that comes along, minimum wage or not, I'm going to only apply for those that I would really enjoy doing and that I think that I would be successful at. I'll leave the fast food work to the students and illegals. But I'm also going to begin contacting various agencies and volunteering my services however I can. As I think through this, I can see the benefits....I can work helping others in some capacity and I can stay busy and productive and, eventually, the bankruptcy issue will be resolved. And who knows, maybe the volunteer work will lead to a paying position at some point. It still seems a tad unusual but I do feel very peaceful about it. And, if a job comes up before I'm 'bankruptcy-ready', well, we'll see at the time how God wants us to handle that. Anyway, I wanted to share this as a possible answer for others, but more to the point, it is, for me, evidence of the fact that God is well aware of our circumstances and can still use those in furthering the kingdom. It puts 'shoe-leather' to Phil. 4.13. Hope this helps, maybe encourages, someone. RJ.

[LivnForChrist]

Doing some volunteer work sounds like an excellent
idea. Trust in the Lord and He will surely guide you.
Praying that all works out for you.

[Endtime gal]

Yes I do believe God works in miraculous ways in each of our lives. He loves us so much and knows what were going through. My husband was laid off work a year ago. We are both volunteering for a christian ministry,and waiting for God's timing to show us when we will be in a paying job. Thanks for the encourging word and for God leading me to this site today.

[notdecieved]

Yes I do believe God works in miraculous ways in each of our lives. He loves us so much and knows what were going through. My husband was laid off work a year ago. We are both volunteering for a christian ministry,and waiting for God's timing to show us when we will be in a paying job. Thanks for the encourging word and for God leading me to this site today.

[Keeplookinup]

My husband and I are in pretty much the same boat. He has been unemployed for 14 months now, having lost his construction business due to the economy and other unforeseen circumstances. We have only been married about 18 months. I bought a business before we were married with the understanding that he would be my business partner. Well, obviously THAT ceased long ago as he has had NO income. I have been scraping by with what is left of the inheritance money from my mothers passing several years ago. I had set that money aside to start the business I felt God led me to for 20 years. Now everything is going very, very wrong. I had to pay for my husbands personal AND business bankruptcys. While I am not DIRECTLY affected, I am still VERY much affected as I am about to lose my business (which is where we also live). He had his bankruptcy hearing yesterday and said it was UGLY, UGLY, UGLY. The lawyers simply didn't believe that he doesn't have a dime to his name. His lawyer told him that if he DID have a job, that he would also have to pay back the over $1 million dollars owed (how would someone EVER recover from THAT???). It still isn't over; more paperwork is being requested.

I just got a full time job, which will now take me away from the business I love doing, for a very poor paycheck which really won't help much. HOWEVER, while I may not be HAPPY about it, I am very, very THANKFUL. My husband will have to run the business, which is NOT his gig nor does he want to do it....I am the heart and soul of the business he says and he is correct. We make a great TEAM, but the business is ME.

We are struggling to say the least in this new marriage, trying to understand what God has in store for us. But as Proverbs 3:5 says, we can't lean on our understanding, because we sure have NONE anyway!

I just want it all over....the stress is almost unbearable. Thank goodness I know Jesus is there. It's just this NATURAL side of things that is really lousy!

I pray things work out for you RonJohn Silver!!

[GlennO]

Ron,

Both of are blessed with health and time on our hands.

Honestly, I have found since I discovered RF I have found I am able to for others more than I ever imagined I could have...even with my limited attention span

Glenn

[Meg]

Hugs and hope all around! My goodness, what times we live in. To Ron, thanks for the inspiration. To KeepLookingUp, what kind of business are you handing over to your husband, if you don't mind sharing? I'm just curious, do you think he can take it over?

I'm no better off than anyone else, so don't go envying me. I've been unemployed since last Friday morning, I took a week off, but I'm going to test the waters Monday... This is extremely dicey too, because a stupid piece of equipment hurt my back and I had to file a comp claim in Feb... I am seriously considering trying for a customer service phone job though, I'm working down the prayer list to pray about that. At least one of the supervisors is a homosexual man though, thats the bad news, but a friend of a friend works there, thats the maybe good news...
hughughughughughug

[Meg]

Hugs and hope all around! My goodness, what times we live in. To Ron, thanks for the inspiration. To KeepLookingUp, what kind of business are you handing over to your husband, if you don't mind sharing? I'm just curious, do you think he can take it over?

I'm no better off than anyone else, so don't go envying me. I've been unemployed since last Friday morning, I took a week off, but I'm going to test the waters Monday... This is extremely dicey too, because a stupid piece of equipment hurt my back and I had to file a comp claim in Feb... I am seriously considering trying for a customer service phone job though, I'm working down the prayer list to pray about that. At least one of the supervisors is a homosexual man though, thats the bad news, but a friend of a friend works there, thats the maybe good news...
hughughug

[Keeplookinup]

Hugs and hope all around! My goodness, what times we live in. To Ron, thanks for the inspiration. To KeepLookingUp, what kind of business are you handing over to your husband, if you don't mind sharing? I'm just curious, do you think he can take it over?

I'm no better off than anyone else, so don't go envying me. I've been unemployed since last Friday morning, I took a week off, but I'm going to test the waters Monday... This is extremely dicey too, because a stupid piece of equipment hurt my back and I had to file a comp claim in Feb... I am seriously considering trying for a customer service phone job though, I'm working down the prayer list to pray about that. At least one of the supervisors is a homosexual man though, thats the bad news, but a friend of a friend works there, thats the maybe good news...
hughughug

Hi Meg! I own a bed & breakfast inn....I was single when I started the business. My now-husband was to be my business partner; we were married within a few months of my opening. He would come over to the inn to help when he could, but was busy running his construction company. It all changed within a few months of our marriage (the stock market crashed 2 days after we were married). My degree is in Hospitality Management and I have 10 years of hotel experience. He is a construction guy. SO, while he does have a feminine side and does pretty well, running a B&B is NOT what he wants to do, nor is it what he is trained in. I'd like to think that God got the memo mixed up, but alas....I know that isn't the case!

My faith is certainly being tested and I know I MUST trust God in all of this. With the help of Jesus, I will strive very hard NOT to allow the bitterness to grab a hold on my soul, even though for now I mourn. I just don't know God's plans and Meg, I know you don't either!!

Prayers for you sister!!!

[RonJohnSilver]

Hi All....here's an update on my initial posting, which was the opening in this thread. Our bankruptcy hearing went well or as well as they can go, I guess. Our lawyer was there and we had already gone through the questions so we were in and out pretty quickly. So, that's done.

On the job issue, after 6+ months of unemployment, I was really getting anxious, even with the volunteering. So, I prayed about it, really just poured out my heart about it, my uncertainties, fears, whole thing. Then, off to the computer to complete some job apps......then 4 hours later, yeah, hours, I get a call from a company (Target) asking me to come in for an interview. Long story short,...started working almost full time this week, not at minimum wage...I was a bit too experienced for that. So, I'm working again, thank you for praying. Also,

I hadn't mentioned this before, but it seems appropriate now. I'd been wondering about college for my son...a junior now and home schooled. He is, however, very athletic and quite good at golf. So, we began sending out golfing resumes to colleges. No response except negative, except for one...which happened to be my preference. The coach from a nearby community college said he would like to come and watch Andrew. He did and invited us to come for a campus visit. We did and both of us liked the campus and really loved the coach, a Christian. At the end of the visit, he told us that, unless everything fell apart, he would offer Andrew a full, complete golf scholarship for the year beginning 2011. To top it off, the college (McClennan Community College, Waco, Texas) is the defending NJCAA Division I National Champion (2009). As of today, 5/20, this years national championship is going on in Alabama and MCC is again leading. So, God is truly good and loves giving us more that we ask or expect. I'll update again if things change. Will continue to pray for others as well.

As an aside, I wonder whether we'll even be here in 2011, but I fall back on the saying that says to prepare as if we'll be here for a hundred years, but be ready to leave tomorrow. Thanks again, Ron.

[GlennO]

Ron -
Answered prayer is like an oasis in the desert. Thanks for sharing the victory!!

Glenn

[mattfivefour]

God is truly good and loves giving us more that we ask or expect

[Meg]

Hi Meg! I own a bed & breakfast inn....I was single when I started the business. My now-husband was to be my business partner; we were married within a few months of my opening. He would come over to the inn to help when he could, but was busy running his construction company. It all changed within a few months of our marriage (the stock market crashed 2 days after we were married). My degree is in Hospitality Management and I have 10 years of hotel experience. He is a construction guy. SO, while he does have a feminine side and does pretty well, running a B&B is NOT what he wants to do, nor is it what he is trained in. I'd like to think that God got the memo mixed up, but alas....I know that isn't the case!

My faith is certainly being tested and I know I MUST trust God in all of this. With the help of Jesus, I will strive very hard NOT to allow the bitterness to grab a hold on my soul, even though for now I mourn. I just don't know God's plans and Meg, I know you don't either!!

Prayers for you sister!!!

Oh my goodness, that makes total sense! I could just tell by the tone of your posts and the concern you expressed that it was a business where a woman's touch mattered... A B&B, though, if your husband is like many construction guys I've had for friends, he should be fairly easy to talk to, fairly easy going. Whats he good at? The vast majority of your guests are going to be homeowners, so anything about structural ins and outs of the average house is going to be a conversation starter, at least for the men. Any chance you could arrange something with a personable female college student for a room to live in as exchange for a little part time help with the phone? Maybe a nice outgoing daughter of someone in your church who can contribute a little feminine touch around the place without costing you money you don't have??

You two can pull this off, with patience, humble hearts and prayer. A B&B should be doable... It should, but he's going to have to be willing to really reach for the Lord. I did ask the Lord to micromanage my life yesterday, and repeated that prayer this morning. Jesus Christ is the only one I would even wonder about asking for something like that, but I have faith that He can be trusted that much. Very good chance your husband has gifts and abilities he never knew were there until he had to try something new, you know... :-)

[mattfivefour]

Just a thought, klu. In the natural it would make sense for you to run the B&B and your hubby to run his construction biz. But that's in the natural. And the credit would go to each of you for doing well what it is you are trained to do. But how much more credit would go to Jesus if you each do well at something you are NOT trained for? And you working at a job you don't like, perhaps god wants you there because your witness is needed there. After all, as I know you know, we are here only to serve Him in the proclaiming of His good news in bringing the lost to salvation.

God's plans for us are always for our good, and thus He carefully measures out to us the events of our lives. It occurs to me that, in the process of your hubby running a B&B and you working at this new job, it will be a very real lesson in learning to rely on Him more than you have ever had to for everything, rather than on yourselves and your own talents. As I said, just a thought.

Please forgive me if I have spoken where I should not have. 2

[Keeplookinup]

Just a thought, klu. In the natural it would make sense for you to run the B&B and your hubby to run his construction biz. But that's in the natural. And the credit would go to each of you for doing well what it is you are trained to do. But how much more credit would go to Jesus if you each do well at something you are NOT trained for? And you working at a job you don't like, perhaps god wants you there because your witness is needed there. After all, as I know you know, we are here only to serve Him in the proclaiming of His good news in bringing the lost to salvation.

God's plans for us are always for our good, and thus He carefully measures out to us the events of our lives. It occurs to me that, in the process of your hubby running a B&B and you working at this new job, it will be a very real lesson in learning to rely on Him more than you have ever had to for everything, rather than on yourselves and your own talents. As I said, just a thought.

Please forgive me if I have spoken where I should not have. 2

You are SOOOOO right my dear friend....several of our Christian friends have even mentioned this and I know it to be true as well, even though I may not LIKE it. But I am learning to accept that it really doesn't matter what I LIKE, it IS all for God's glory and I just know He is going to do something amazing in all of this and to HIM goes all the glory!

My hubby IS good with guests...GREAT as a matter-of-fact. He has learned a lot from me and can cook a mean ham & swiss souffle. He hasn't learned to bake yet, but he sure has come a LOOONG way. He is a salesman through and through and loves the Lord with all his heart so he is just great at hospitality, even though he isn't TRAINED in it. Me....well, I love serving others. I love showing Christ's love just by serving others with a servants heart. But who knows what doors will open in this new job. I just know I have to do it unto the Lord and let Him work things out.

I love all my dear friends on RF...you give me the words that I think God wants me to hear to keep me pointed in the right direction...even if they are just confirmation of what I KNOW, but perhaps don't trust coming from my own heart.

So never worry about what is said in love, cause trust me, my heart is always open! I continue to pray for you all as well!! hug

[Keeplookinup]

Hi All....here's an update on my initial posting, which was the opening in this thread. Our bankruptcy hearing went well or as well as they can go, I guess. Our lawyer was there and we had already gone through the questions so we were in and out pretty quickly. So, that's done.

On the job issue, after 6+ months of unemployment, I was really getting anxious, even with the volunteering. So, I prayed about it, really just poured out my heart about it, my uncertainties, fears, whole thing. Then, off to the computer to complete some job apps......then 4 hours later, yeah, hours, I get a call from a company (Target) asking me to come in for an interview. Long story short,...started working almost full time this week, not at minimum wage...I was a bit too experienced for that. So, I'm working again, thank you for praying. Also,

I hadn't mentioned this before, but it seems appropriate now. I'd been wondering about college for my son...a junior now and home schooled. He is, however, very athletic and quite good at golf. So, we began sending out golfing resumes to colleges. No response except negative, except for one...which happened to be my preference. The coach from a nearby community college said he would like to come and watch Andrew. He did and invited us to come for a campus visit. We did and both of us liked the campus and really loved the coach, a Christian. At the end of the visit, he told us that, unless everything fell apart, he would offer Andrew a full, complete golf scholarship for the year beginning 2011. To top it off, the college (McClennan Community College, Waco, Texas) is the defending NJCAA Division I National Champion (2009). As of today, 5/20, this years national championship is going on in Alabama and MCC is again leading. So, God is truly good and loves giving us more that we ask or expect. I'll update again if things change. Will continue to pray for others as well.

As an aside, I wonder whether we'll even be here in 2011, but I fall back on the saying that says to prepare as if we'll be here for a hundred years, but be ready to leave tomorrow. Thanks again, Ron.

Praise the Lord Ron!! (I too am wondering if we'll be here in 2011 but none of us know, so yep...we just gotta keep livin' as if we'll be here, but I've got my bags packed, so to speak.)