Day 33...

Sunday marked one month that we had been back on the second shift schedule.  It has been tough.  It has been discouraging and overwhelming.  And both Al and I have struggled with complete exhaustion and even despair.

This weekend we talked of our frustrations and our struggles with this current schedule.  We talked about how we both KNOW that God cares about even these little details such as job shifts, but sometimes it is so challenging to remember in the midst of it all.  We talked about trusting God that this too is all part of His plan and that ultimately it was God who was in control of Al's shift.

I pleaded with God to give him some tangible hope.  My dear husband reminded me that "His mercies are new each morning."  I awoke on Monday morning with this verse on my mind, and we both started the week more rested and with better attitudes.

... And what do you know? (God never ceases to amaze me!)

Monday afternoon Al found out that his boss has hired a new 2nd shift supervisor. She starts next week. Al will still likely need to be on second shift for a few more weeks training her before he can return to first shift, but this is such wonderful, unexpected, and encouraging news to start the work week!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Happy Valentine's Day?

I am not one who typically celebrates every greeting card inspired holiday- or at least I haven't since high school. :-)

But Valentine's Day is one that I do.  It's not at all about cupids and arrows, the Catholic St. Valentine, or even flowers and candy.  You see Valentine's Day really has a whole other meaning for me.

Some years ago now, there was a distance which had begun to grow in my marriage.  Our life was so busy we had hardly even noticed, and yet it was still there threatening to wreak havoc in our lives if we continued to ignore it.  

But God in mercy chose to open our eyes to the issues in our marriage, and He breathed new life into our marriage on Valentine's Day weekend.  It really had nothing to do with the holiday everyone celebrates and yet the holiday serves as a reminder of the grace with which God has blessed us.

I also wear a ring on my hand to remind me.  It is inscribed with the Hebrew words

   

which are translated "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine."

My beloved husband is such a blessing in my life.  I am so thankful that God brought us together and has kept us together all these years now. 

And so Happy Valentine's Day.  May God always remind us to nurture our marriages and to love one another as Christ loved the church.