This weekend we were studying from Genesis. And we got to chapter 24 and read “Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.” Paige was teaching and she encouraged us to make a list of the ways God had blessed us. Then, to pick one and share it.
Throughout the past few years, I have thought of many ways that the Lord has blessed me: In all the ways He delivered me from the pit of my bad choices. In the way He crossed my path with just the right people at just the right time. In the way He brought a group of prodigals together to create a place where I could feel at home. I have told the stories and thanked God for His infinite mercy.
But Saturday I thought of something that I really had not appreciated the way that I should have. And I chose to talk about it Saturday because it was probably the least emotional thing on my list..OR SO I THOUGHT! I started telling the story and when I started talking, the providence of God and His goodness struck me..and so I couldn’t tell the story without crying.
Way back when I was just a freshman in college, I needed a job. I had no work experience other than six weeks of receptionist work at a teeny tiny rural hospital. I applied a few places but had heard nothing. One day a long-time family friend called me up. He was working as a computer repair technician and had been on a service call to a small credit union. He found out they were needing a part time worker. He had called his sister first, but the hours were not compatible with her schedule so she passed on the job. So he called me. Now…let me just add…I had not talked to this friend for several years and he had no way to know that I was looking for a job. I don’t really know why he thought of me. This may be a part of the story I need to find out from him some day!
Anyhow, I went to interview, got the job, worked part-time through the rest of my college career and after 26 years, I am still working at that credit union! I’ve worked my way up from receptionist a bit though, I’ve been the manager for about 11 years now I guess.
I know that doesn’t sound all that impressive in the big scheme of things, but bear with me a little bit here. When I needed to get out of my marriage, I had to move my children and myself to a new house as the ex wanted to keep the house and land we had shared. So I had to qualify for a mortgage loan on my own with the chunk of debt I had agreed to take on (just so the divorce could be finished quicker…I was at the point where I would have gnawed off my own foot to get away). I was not worried about whether I could afford a house, because I have a fantastic job and I am paid pretty well for what I do. I was worried whether or not everything would happen when it needed to happen, but the financial side of it was far down on my worry list.
I guess some could say that is a nice little story and hard work and persistance paid off. That I reaped the rewards of my education and happened to be in the right place at the right time. That I was lucky. That it was very fortunate that I had a friend that referred me to a job that just happened to turn out well. Ahhh, but I don’t believe in luck, or good fortune. I know better. I know that my Father God has been at work all of my life. And it was God taking care of me by providing this job through a friend to the 19 year old version of myself.
The Lord has taken care of me…seen into my future…provided for my needs long before I knew I needed something. Could there be anything more amazing?? As God reveals His love to me, layer by layer, unfolding my life story before me…my love for Him just continues to grow…as does my amazement at His love.
Tell me a way that God has blessed you, if you can.
I have recieved many blessing, but because you were blessed with yor job I have been blessed with mine. I remember when Kyle came to Shavers Private school when he was 18 months old and that is when our paths crossed. I never thought That I would have my own daycare and that Brandon and Kyle would be there with. And then our sweet baby girl came to my daycare. I just thought that I would work with kids for the rest of my life, but I didn’t. Got a job at a third party insurance company. The hardest part was telling you all that I was not going to be taking care of your children… especially you Sherry. You had been one of the sweetest person I knew. Anyway went to work at ICON Benefits and after the 2nd year I absolutly hated it. And I had never been the kind to jump from job to job. I did daycare for 20 years. Well one day i saw you at my moms and I remember saying to you “I wish that I worked for you” and you said come on. And that was one of the biggest blessings in my life. I hated that I had to wait a year for the other girl to leave but she fiannaly did and and joined you at the best job in town. Thanks!!
Cyndi
GOD WORKS IN WAYS THAT WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND DOESN’T HE? I WAS SO UNHAPPY WITH THE DAYCARE KYLE WAS AT, I WENT LOOKING FOR SOME PLACE BETTER AND FOUND SHAVER’S AND YOU. GOD RICHLY BLESSED ME AND MY KIDS BY BRINGING YOU INTO THE PICTURE!! GOD IS GOOD!!
I love this story Sherry! You have also blessed our family through your job there… I think when we acknowledge God’s hand in our lives and give Him the glory, then He grants us even greater blessings. I can’t wait to hear of what else He does in your life! You are so precious! I’m so glad I couldn’t sleep! I needed to hear this!
THANK YOU MEL. ISN’T OUR GOD AMAZING? THERE ARE SO MANY “GOD-THINGS” ALL AROUND US YET MOST OF THE TIME WE FAIL TO SEE HOW HE HAS WORKED. I KNOW IT IS BECAUSE WE DO NOT SEE THE ETERNAL, BIG PICTURE. BUT WE CAN SEE HIS HAND, IF WE JUST CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE SLIGHTLY.
WE RECENTLY STUDIED IN GENESIS WHERE GOD ASKED ABRAHAM TO SACRIFICE ISAAC. ABRAHAM SAID “WE” WILL COME BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. HE REASONED THAT GOD COULD AND WOULD RAISE ISAAC FROM THE DEAD SINCE THE PROMISES WERE TO COME THRU THIS SON. FAITH CHANGED HIS PERSPECTIVE OF THINGS. I WANT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF FAITH. THE KIND THAT KNOWS GOD IS THERE AND WORKING AND KEEPING HIS PROMISES, NO MATTER HOW DIRE OR DESPERATE I THINK THINGS ARE.
I’m going to contiue on with the “your job” theme. It really is amazing to look at the ripples that come from one choice made. Your decision to take that job when you were 18 meant that you would be here all these years later when I needed a break.
I was really on the edge, did not know if I could make it another day in my current job. I was hesitant about working for a friend from church … you know how disastrous that stuff can be sometimes. But I remember us emailing beforehand. Both knowing that this could be a temporary thing and that we would just see what happened. Now it’s over one year later.
This job has really done for my heart some of the same things the Open does. I have a place to rest … and figure things out. I can count on one hand the “moments” of stress I have had here. I don’t even have one whole day that I would consider a “bad day at the office”. How remarkable is that? How God is that?
Only God knows what will happen next, but no matter what, this is part of the story. It’s part of what God used to settle me down and let my heart rest a bit. He showed me that He would provide … and not just the minimum for me to get by … but above and beyond.
Through this job I really have been blessed in every way. It provides me with the resources to live in a home where I feel safe … which is priceless. I get to work with women that I can laugh with and even be quiet with … which is not usually the case. I get to be in a safe place where my heart can rest … and that is amazing.
GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR SO MANY PEOPLE THRU THIS ONE THING! IT AMAZES ME. GOD PUTS THINGS IN MOTION THAT SEEM SO INSIGNIFICANT AT THE TIME YET RIPPLE THRU THE YEARS TOUCHING SO MANY LIVES. AND WHAT ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE DON’T EVEN KNOW? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOUCHED AND IN WHAT WAYS? OUR GOD IS SO BIG AND SO STRONG AND SO MIGHTY….
YOUR PRESENCE HAS BEEN SUCH A BLESSING TO THE OFFICE! GOD DID GOOD INDEED.
I have to wait just a little while to tell the whole story….But, I think it’s gonna be a great and it’s already pretty unbelievable because of you, Sherry and a few of your friends. Good things happen to people who trust God or is it good things happen to people who God trusts?
I CANNOT WAIT TO SIT AND LISTEN TO YOU TELL THE STORY FROM BEGINNING TO END (WELL END OF THIS CHAPTER ANYWAY!)…OF HOW THE LORD WORKED ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD. WE WILL PRAISE HIS NAME AND REJOICE WITH YOU. HE IS WORKING IN YOUR LIFE JUST AS SURELY AS HE WORKED IN MINE…AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE US…ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE GARDEN. HE KNOWS WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, AND IT MATTERS TO HIM. PRAYING STILL…..
I am thankful to be a witness of how you being in that job has benefitted people we love. I love coming up there to see you guys and visiting. It is always so calm and inviting. I could stay all day, but I don’t want to get in the way.
My grandmother June always made sure we knew she “counted” us as her blessings. She spoke openly to people about how they blessed her. I want to be more like that. When we put our focus on how we are blessed, it makes the yucky stuff less significant.
I love you, Sherry, and you are one of my blessings I count every day!
AH SARAH, THANK YOU. IT SEEMS THAT AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF MY LIFE, GOD HAS PROVIDED ME A HANDFUL OF REALLY GOOD FRIENDS TO FILL MY LIFE. HE HAS BLESSED ME IN SUCH A WAY WITH YOU. THINKING ABOUT HOW I AM BLESSED REFOCUSES ME ON THE GOD-THINGS AND WHEN I FOCUS ON THE GOD-THINGS I FEEL SO MUCH MORE PEACEFUL. OUR GOD IS A GOOD GOD IS HE NOT?
Even though our God’s ways are past tracing out, it’s fun to try and to go as far as we can. And it’s been great fun reading your post and these comments to see His hand at work in all your lives. I’ve found encouragement here in all of you and it’s a gift I don’t take lightly.
There’s something about your way…it reminds me of what Paul said about Onesiphorus…that he often “refreshed” Paul’s spirit. There are people in whose presence we find rest. We don’t feel any need to play a role with them. We don’t always have to be “on” with them. It’s like we can breath easier when we’re privileged to be in their company. Their words…their actions and reactions…their easy way with us…just somehow takes the pressure off us. They are “safe” for us. They cause us to know that we can never be right when we feel like saying, “No one cares about me.” God uses such people to bless. And they are often so unconscious of the goodness left in their wake for others that they really don’t know how wonderful they are…and how many they are helping to keep on their spiritual feet…just by being who they are…an unassuming Christ-follower and His hands and feet for others. And…sometimes…people like that are named Sherry.
And meeting you and others of your circle of mutual blessing here in blogland, is one of the amazing ways God has blessed an old, Ohio preacher. You deal out great doses of spiritual health and healing. And there are those of us who count on that regularly. I’m one who is grateful. His blessings on you all.
IT IS GOOD FOR MY HEART TO READ YOUR WORDS DOUG. I’VE HAD WAY TOO MUCH SADNESS AND TOO MANY DARK DAYS IN MY LIFE AND WHILE I AM THANKFUL THAT GOD HAS USED THOSE TO ALLOW ME TO HELP OTHERS WHO CAN RELATE TO THAT PART, I AM SO VERY GLAD THAT HE HAS GIVEN ME GOOD THINGS THAT TIE ME TO OTHERS AS WELL. I LOVE THE WAY THAT GOD TAKES CARE OF US. HE IS SO FAR BEYOND AMAZING ISN’T HE? THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR HEART FOR GOD WITH US.