In recent weeks, I started assessing who needs what, as far as fall and winter clothing goes. I found a stack of sweaters for Larkspur at the thrift store, and now just need to find pants that will fit her tall skinny frame. Beatrix is covered by hand me downs (much to her dismay-she’s always hoping I’m going to come home with something for her). My older boys don’t need much, but my little boys do. So that was my little worry, finding clothes for Silas and Job.
Weekend before last, fighting tears, Jonny broke the news that he might soon be unemployed (after 16 years at the same job). Our financial situation since buying the new house has been precarious at best, not everything having fallen into place as we had hoped. The threat of unemployment felt like a crisis. I was stunned and could feel the fear bubbling up in my chest.
Later that evening, I got a text from one of our best friends, Mike. It was a photo of a newborn baby with the simple words, “He came fast.” It being about a week before his due date, so I wasn’t expecting that news quite yet.
I met Mike about thirteen years ago, and he’s become like family to us. About two years ago, I started praying for him to meet someone, get married, have a family. He got married last year, and that little baby was, I’m sure, an answer to more prayers than just mine. As I looked at his sweet face in that little texted photograph, the fear that had seized my heart eased a little…God answers prayers.
The following evening my neighbor (who happens to live in our old house) texted that a friend had just dropped two bags of boys’ clothes in sizes 6 and 7 at her house. Did I need them? Yes! I told her, and she brought them by a few minutes later. Sometimes the prayers we haven’t yet spoken aloud are answered. I hadn’t mentioned to anyone that the little boys needed clothes. I certainly hadn’t prayed about it.
“Your kids will remember how you handle this,” my dad said on the phone the night I called him with the news about Jonny’s job. His calmness about the situation seeped into me. This is part of life. It’s certainly not uncommon. Over the past week I had moments of panic and I didn’t sleep for a few nights. I think it’s safe to say this has been one of the most stressful weeks of our life. However, I’m trusting that God has a plan for us and we just have to keep doing the next thing. Jonny and I have both shed tears, but we’ve shifted away from being scared of what’s next, and we are starting to feel hopeful. The unknown, the uncertainty…it’s hard. But at the end of the day we’re really okay.
Today was Jonny’s first day being officially unemployed. It was good. In most ways it was like every other day, except the knot that’s been in his chest for the past year or so, as his job became more and more stressful, is gone. And my anxiety that was fueled by his is gone as well. As much as change terrifies me, I’ve recognized for some time that it was needed. I’m excited to see what our future holds.
p.s. My dear Aunt Genie, Uncle Jim, and cousins live in N. Myrtle Beach. My prayers are with them, and with all of you in the path of Hurricane Florence. I don’t think we are in terrible danger here in our part of Virginia, though our local college is closing and people are getting prepared as though we are. We got our goats and chickens squared away today, and I think we’re as ready as we need to be.
p.p.s.Most photos of baby Brooks were taken by Larkspur and Beatrix. 🙂
Thrift at Home says
dear Ginny, just now catching up on your blog and this bad news. I’m so sorry for the stress of unemployment. Times like these I wish I wasn’t the grown-up, that someone else would carry the burden and be the strong one. I will pray for you all. My family has been through 3 layoffs in the past 10 years. I almost can’t believe that as I count it out – but each time, God has been our bedrock and somehow, some marvelous way, it all worked together and we are good/better and our children have not been traumatized. In fact, one bright side of my husband’s layoffs was the time he could spend with the kids just because he was at home looking for work.
Shirley-Ann Vels says
Ginny, I’m a long time reader of your blog although I don’t comment often. I wanted to share with you that my husband has been retrenched twice during our married life of 20 years and both times God carried us. I have no idea how we got through financially but we did. Our needs were met and we made it through, our faith and family bonds stronger for the experience. I am praying for you and your family. May you experience God’s provision and peace during this time. Sending hugs from the UK
Bindy says
Hi Ginny,
Thank you so much for the honest and vulnerable way that you share. I really appreciate that you are not presenting a shiny, perfect, unrealistic picture of family life and faith. I find such encouragement and integrity in your honesty. I will be praying for all of you at this time of unemployment. We experienced a similar situation nearly two years ago, in that my husband quit a job where bullying was common. His mental health was suffering deeply and we just had to make the move. Our plans didn’t come together quickly, though, so we were without income, or a house. Generous, kind, faithful family and friends were a great support to us, and God has helped us find new communities for work and living that are a much healthier fit for us. It didn’t happen as quickly as we hoped, but we have been so grateful for what has happened. I pray that you will experience similar support, blessing and ‘good fit’ in what comes next.
With care and encouragement to you,
Bindy (Melbourne, Australia)
Eileen says
Keeping you, Jonny and entire family in my thoughts and prayers, that a GREAT job, situation will come out of the downsizing of this job for Jonny and you.
Winwick Mum says
I remember being told once that you are never sent anything in life that you’re unable to deal with even if it feels like it at the time, and that sometimes situations occur to push you in the direction in which you are intended to go if you’re not going that way fast enough yourself! When one door closes … just open another one xx
Mary says
God bless you during this time- I’ll pray for a job!
Heather says
Another voice that has walked the same path of not knowing how the provision will come… but having faith that it will indeed come! Have you read about George Mueller, or Lillian Trasher? Great examples of waiting in faith!
Carla says
Hi.
I am writing from Northern Ireland where I live with my husband and children. I am not from here tho but from Brazil.
Thank you so much for being so real and down to earth. Thank you for sharing TRUTH and TRUTHFUL life full of blessing in the middle of hard seasons.
I normally don’t follow blogs but find yours very refreshing in that way because it feels and reads very real to me.
I loved your father’s advice to you over the phone. What a wise advice!
I think it really touched me as my husband and I have being going through difficult times as well and similar things has happened to me when I prayed something as simple as : Lord, I need clothes for the boys…and I really need warm shoes for winter.
In the same week a large bag of clothes was given to the boys and a bag with shoes for myself, including a winter boot.
Yes, He listens. Does he answer as we want every time? No. He doesn’t. He answers in a even better way, a way that will build our character, our faith and lead us to fullness.
Keep up the sharing and the prayer as it is making a difference.
Love from carla
Astoria says
Just a note of encouragement. It took my husband three months to find work when he was downsized. It is not uncommon. Our church helped us then. It’s okay to ask.
I’ve had a very painful year for other reasons and what surprised me is that even though some of my worst fears came true, we’ve had so many days of joy and peace anyway. Facing your worst fears can be liberating and certainly lead to growth.
Isabella says
I hope everything works out well for you. Those times of uncertainty can be so hard. In 2008, we hit the perfect storm of unemployment, a horrendous housing market, and cancer for the 2nd time for me. We lost everything and were actually homeless. The hardest part was feeling that God had abandoned us. It has taken us 10 years to get back on our feet. To this day, we do not have an answer for those trials. We only know that we must accept that it happened, and that God has His plans. (And that of course, He still loves us!)
Melissa Lessard says
Ginny,
Change is so difficult. Thank you for sharing this challenge with us; that takes guts. I’m hoping, after a short breather, that something with a good all-around fit will open up for Jonny.
Several things in your pictures made me smile, and laugh!
*First, Beatrix in yellow; such a lovely free-spirit in such a great color & the beautiful contrasting yarn.
*sweet newborn pictures; I can almost smell that baby’s head with the fragrance only newborns have.
*yellow flowers
*goats with no ears and mischievous glints in their eyes!
* the picture where, at first glance, I thought Jonny was about to hit a goat with a stick, in the background
*Mabel’s nose. It’s just the cutest!
Hope things are well as the storm only just begins to downgrade. I’m not sure if you’ve seen much damage or heavy weather but I’m send good energy your way that, This too shall pass., weather, unemployment, and stress.
Peace,
Melissa
From Colorado
Lana says
Praying for your employment situation. We have been through it multiple times over the 40 years we have been married and we are always so, so amazed at how God provides and works it all for good. I am also convinced that sometimes God gives our men a break that they would never give themselves.
Marybeth says
I am sorry you are going through this. God does provide and often leads us to a better path. Stay safe where you are. I will be praying for you and your family.
Stephanie Hannah says
God will take care of you guys Ginny. We have a large family as well and have been through the same thing. You guys are in my prayers. You are so brave for sharing.
Angela says
Thanks for sharing your moments of God’s provision. I really need these reminders. Isn’t it funny how easily we forget His work and provisions in our own lives and need someone to remind us? My husband become unemployed after the job had become increasingly stressful and unsustainable. It has that same sense of relief for us. We ended up doing the thing we had felt God calling us towards for a decade at that which was my husband going to seminary. We literally had nothing to lose. It was good, not easy, not particularly good financially (in the worldly definition) but exactly right. May God be that clear with your family as He was with ours in this time.
Paige Kemper says
We had this happen a week before our sixth child was born. It ended up being my best birth and most enjoyable recovery. We have had some pretty terrifying scares but as you say God has heard our prayers. Y’all will be in my prayers.
Angie says
We had the same thing happen a couple years ago. It was terrible and scary and uncertain. Everyday i just kept hoping things would get better, and i held in my heart that it would all turn out okay in the end. Its so hard to feel that threat to survival and still go about the day to day. Every day i reminded myself just what we DID have, and feeling grateful for that. One thing we did have was time together, for the first time lots of time with our family spending time. In the end, my husband found a new career that makes so much more money than he ever could have made before, and the lifestyle of the new career fits much better with our family life (Please be in touch with me if you guys are interested in this same career change – we homeschool and have a little farmstead and it really supports that lifestyle well!) . Afterwards, all that time together really felt like a gift.
Jammie says
I have followed your blog as your family has grown and it’s been a pleasure. My husband and I have also been through a crisis of sorts over the past week. With Faith, Trust and Hope we have been comforted and reassured. This is my prayer for all people.
Stacy says
Longtime reader here and like so many others, I have been where you and Jonny are…a relief that the anxiety about the job over but also nervous about what comes next. But faith provides and hope prevails and I am sure there will be good in the next chapter. Holding you in the light as you move forward.
JUDY FOREMAN says
Amen
karen says
I pray that your stress is over quickly and all will be well. What rotten news to receive but I hope a better opportunity is around the corner for you both!!
Lynne says
Hi Ginny, your story of faith and conversion has inspired me, and I have enjoyed your blog over the years. I too will keep you all in my prayers! A priest once told me we can see God’s will for us in our circumstances, so I am hoping He quickly reveals the new path He has for you, and keeps you all safe and well. Blessings, Lynne
Annym says
We’ll be keeping your family in our prayers. Over the years your blog has been such a gift to me- thank you for that. I know God has something better in store for your family. Trust in Him. 🙂
All Our Love,
Angela
Becca says
Praying for your family during this change and the storm.
Kathie says
I understand your worry over the job loss (and the relief). My husband and I used to be live in house patents at a Waldorf school, just as our daughter turned 1 we were made redundant. We lost our jobs and our home and had to move away from all our friends. It was tough for a few years but if that hadn’t happened we wouldn’t have the wonderful life we have now. Trust that God has a plan you.
Linda says
I’ll be praying God’s favour will be over you all, to spare you from any storm damages that may hit, but even more so that your husband will have a job again soon and that you’ll will grow even stronger through the trial. We serve a mighty and powerful God who knew about this long before you. Blessings to you all ~ Linda
Eydie Searles says
Praying and trusting God’s best for your family.
Michele says
Praying for you all, Ginny! (((hugs)))
God’s blessings and love,
Michele
Elaine says
I know this is a hard time for you. I have never commented on your blog but I felt compelled to comment this time. Years ago, my husband and I were both laid off from our jobs at about the same time (me after 19 years with one employer, my husband after 13 years with one employer.) It felt – disorienting. And a scary. Take heart. You will do what needs to be done to make it good for your family. You aren’t alone. Many have walked this path before you – and you have your spiritual side to support you.
Silvia Alvarez says
Dear family, from Argentina I follow them and they are my inspiration, they will be in my prayers so that Jonny’s situation will be restored soon. I send my warm greeting! Silvia
Donna Fry says
God is cradling each of you in this time of trial. Know that “way will open”.
You are being upheld in prayer.
Sandra Davidson says
Hi Ginny I know that God has a special plan for you Jonnie and family because you are such a wonderful giving family. I have been there several times so I know the feeling. When my husband was sixty he lost his job once again and very scary at that age but he found something he was happier at..
So God will bless you with something better if you believe .
Love and Blessings from your friend inCanada
Joan says
Sorry about Jonny losing his job. Hope good news comes your way soon. Keeping every one in Florence’s path in my thoughts. Brooks is adorable.
Joan
Marilyn says
Sorry to hear that Jonny lost his job. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for good things for you and the family.
Marilyn
Marion says
Ginny I am sorry for Jonny losing his job. As they say when one door closes another door opens. I will pray that your worries will be short lived and another job will come soon.
God bless
Marion
Sandi says
I love reading your blog and reading about your life and your children. I’ll pray that a job that is good for all of you comes along. Things will work out . Hugs,
Cindy in NC says
Praying for a quick and happy resolution to your worries.