AuburnChick's Adventures

The last couple of days have been full of ups and downs.

I’ve been very stressed because I just discovered that my last two unemployment payments were not put in my account.  Apparently the fact that my substitute teacher jobs have stopped for the summer put a red flag on my claim, and the powers-that-be are “reviewing” my case.  Sure would have liked to know that a month ago!

Meanwhile, I’d been happily playing house, keeping my eyes open for a job, under the assumption that I would still be receiving help with my bills.

Until I checked my bank account.

Crunch time.

I’ve revamped my resume and upped my efforts to find something.  It’s extremely frustrating because I do not want to accept a job that I might have to quit if I am blessed to find a teaching position.  I’m loyal in that way.  However, there is no guarantee that I’ll find a teaching job.

In addition, the kids and I have been arguing fiercely…over typical teenage issues.

I need my life to be organized.  Anyone who has ever seen my workspace knows that I thrive in an ordered environment.

This morning, before I got out of bed, I cried out to the Lord for help.  Lately, I have felt very convicted about the way I’ve handled money in the past.  The Mr. and I have not exactly been role models for frugal living.  We’re paying the price now.

Confessing this sin before God, I pleaded for His forgiveness and His guidance.

God is so GOOD!

He is so FAITHFUL!

In my mail today, I received two unexpected items.  One of them was a pay stub from my school district.  When I saw it, I couldn’t help but wonder why they were sending me something that had $0.00 on it.  What a waste of paper.

I opened it and discovered a nice little sum typed into the last box…my final wages for the school year…totally unexpected.  I thought I had already received my last check.

I was on the phone with a friend when I opened it, and my voice choked up as I told her what I was looking at.

Wow!

God’s graciousness did not end there.

I spied a brown padded envelope.  The sender was Rebecca, my blogging buddy.

I don’t remember what led me to start reading her blog.  Maybe I googled Christian blogs.  It only took one reading before I was hooked.  Her posts are heart-felt, joyous, and alive with energy.  We quickly became friends, commenting frequently on each other’s posts.

She took me up on my recent devotional book giveaway.  She will be using it as a resource for the teens she mentors at her church’s youth group.  A couple of days ago, she sent me an email letting me know that the money for shipping (the only money I had requested) was on the way.

So, although I wasn’t suprised to see her name on the return address, my interest was piqued because…who mails money in a large padded envelope?

I eagerly tore into it and exclaimed in joy as I pulled out this…

Happy Feet - Color 15

I immediately envisioned footies!!!  And my favorite color too…blue!!!

I quickly wound it up…

Her’s was a simple gesture that brought a huge smile to my face.  The words inside the card brought more tears to my eyes.

People can poo-poo technology and all of the bad stuff it’s brought.  For me, the world has become a much smaller place.  Homebodies like myself need to be able to reach out and connect with others in whatever way possible.

Now, I realize that God did not solve all of my problems today.  But He did make His presence known in a very tangible manner.

These weren’t coincidences.

God, my loving Father, knew that I needed something to fuel hope in my heart.  I feel rejuvinated.  I feel like I matter…I’m not just one out of the billions of people in this world.  He loves me enough to say, “Hello, AuburnChick.  I see you, and here’s a hug to let you know that you are not alone.”

God is so GOOD!

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: Christianity |