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. 🙂
Hi Ginny, I can so understand those feelings of panic. My husband has had only six weeks’ work in nearly 18 months. My little business keeps us afloat – barely. We are unsure if we cam pay our land rent at the end of the month, so we’re looking at a forced home sale. Please pray for us!
This type of stress can be so intense. I am thinking of you and your family!
Sending love and prayers. We decided to step back from full-time youth ministry right after we found out we were having twins. It was intimidating to think about having three kids and facing unemployment. Yet, we had incredible peace with the decision. God was faithful in his provision–just enough at just the right times. Mitch had an in between job that got us by until he found a better job at the library that was a beautiful respite–fun and a place that appreciated him. And this summer, the opportunity for him to teach full-time middle school Bible was presented to him out of nowhere. It was a total God-idea, never on our radar, yet a perfect match. It was a small pay decrease for our already tight budget, but the extra benefits and time off is huge. And God surprised us with an unexpected bonus from the library that made up the difference exactly. God’s timing and provision always humbles me and fills me with gratitude. I am praying that you will continue to experience peace and provision.
This is beautiful, and aptly describes the scary uncertainty that sometimes haunts my days and nights. Thank you for reminding me that God truly is in control, and answers prayers that we don’t even verbalize. I love what you said regarding the stress that you felt for the past year, through your husbands stress……….that disappeared when the job (the feared thing) was lost. That peace will lead you to the next thing, together. I am praying for you, and thank you for sharing today. Blessings
God is good. He always provides as you have already witnessed. Peace be with you.
prayers,
kim
Ginny, thank you for your willingness to be open about your situation, your fears and how God is already answering prayers (even unspoken ones – He knows our needs). Proverbs 3:5-6 is a beautiful reminder to trust Him in all things and lean not on your own understanding and He will direct your paths. We’ve been through job loss and after the time period had completed and we looked back – we wouldn’t have changed a thing. We drew closer as a couple but most importantly closer to the Lord Jesus. Psalms is a great place to read and underline how many times you see “steadfast love.” And Isaiah 41:10 has always been a source of encouragement to me as I, like you, have Hashimoto’s and can easily get stressed and have anxious thoughts (which is not good for the healing of that issue), so I will be praying for you and your sweet family and trust the Lord to guide you. Blessings!
If I could send you a hug in an envelope I would do so. Sometimes I wish hugs arrived that way…my own household since our youngest arrived over two years ago has been so fraught with private turmoil for various reasons and oftentimes I find myself just wanting to rewind back to when I was five and go looking for my mother outside working in the yard and hug her and feel safe and everything fixed. My thoughts are with you and J. And if it’s any help at all—I will buy any and all fingering weight yarn you post in the months ahead. 🙂 xxoo (((hugs)))
To add my story to the many others: as we sat waiting for the doctor in the examination room at our first appointment of our second pregnancy, my husband told me he’d been let go. Determined to keep a good attitude for him and our oldest child, I refused to give in to fear and worry. Yes, it was stressful, and it took a long time to find another (better) job, but people who care about you will help. Let them. Ultimately, this lay-off led to my husband going into business for himself, which has proven to be his best career choice ever! You will find a way through!
Dear Ginny,
There are so many things in this post that I want to respond to. First things first: I’m sorry to hear about Jonny’s job! I can imagine that’s a very stressful situation. I like what you wrote, though: “I’m trusting that God has a plan for us and we just have to keep doing the next thing.” That resonated with me. Both parts of that sentence are so important: trusting that it will be ok, but simultaneously just going about your business, taking it day by day. You never know what will happen next. Something really good might come of this, even it takes a while :).
On a totally different note: your friend’s baby is so, so cute. What an adorable little boy. Good for him! Nice name, too.
I also love the goat pictures…they are just too quirky and sweet-looking with their tiny little ears!
And yes, I’ve been following news about the hurricane all the way from Europe…we are living here, but have family in Georgia and friends in North Carolina. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and hoping that there won’t be too much damage…!
Thinking of you, too, as your family goes through these changes. You’ll manage. You always do :). Much love.
Hi Ginny: I’ve always loved reading your blog. I find you very inspirational in all that you do with your family and look forward to your posts. My thoughts are with you at this hard time. I know it’s very cliché but things always have a way of working themselves out. You and your family will be in my prayers.
12 years ago, my husband left me and our seventh baby in the hospital and came home to to the news that he was being reduced to part time. Talk about bad timing! Two years later, I was travelling with my mother when he called to tell me his mother had died and he was being laid off. He was never fully unemployed since he picked up part time contract work quickly, but it was stressful until he found full employment. Unexpected generosity came our way and we were always able to pay our bills and feed the kids. I took full advantage of the free day-old bread offered at a thrift store and any garden produce being given away. I think the hardest thing was having to explain to my family that we couldn’t travel to visit because of gas expense (while trying to salvage my husband’s self-respect). That sounds like a “first world problem” but some family relationships are complicated. That time made me very sympathetic for unemployed husbands and every time I hear of one, I add him to my St. Joseph list. Jonny is on it now, so hold on to your hats!
Ginny, thank you for sharing your trials, right alongside your joys. My husband and I have been down the unemployment road several times, and the most difficult thing of all was keeping it to ourselves, rather than letting others who love us share the burden. God used these times to mightily deepen our faith and strengthen our trust in Him, even when we weren’t aware of our great need for both of these things. We will be praying for you as you make your way along this dim path. May it be a short journey, and may God bless you richly each day and bring you the peace that passes understanding.
Only one thing, dear Ginny,
…God never closes a door without opening another….
Time for something new! 🙂 I’m sure!!!
connected in prayer
Conny
Dear Ginny,
I am so sorry for your stress and feeling of panic ……
I experienced those same feelings last year, when my husband lost his job of 47 years …… the company he had worked for was bought out ….. and he was let go. It is the scariest feeling and it took some time, but I have figured out that things do have a Wonderful way of working out.
I did not plan well, as I figured my husband would Always work there …… but the Lord Does provide, in the most amazing ways !!!!!!
It is still hard and scary at times, but we have adjusted Amazingly well !!!!!
Prayers of Comfort and Peace for You and your Family !!!!!!!
A friend’s mom just passed this weekend after a long 6 months of illnesses, and setbacks, and as much as I am sad for the family I have a sense of relief. She isnt in pain anymore. As I drove home from the services yesterday I felt the sense of change in the air and it probably was a first for me to be okay with change. No matter what the outcome of this time, I know it will be okay. Hugs to you and your family. =)
Keeping you and your beautiful family in prayer Ginny. We have been through this and it was hard…really hard…. but many years later we have come through and recently bought a home we never imagined we would be blessed to own, with farm area and a now, a farm store. If Mike had not lost his job way back then, we most certainly would not be the people we are today. It is amazing to look back and see all the ways God provided. God has a special plan for your family and I know it is hard to understand now, but it will all work out.
My husband had so many periods of unemployment I loose count. Jonny is skilled and will find work, just tell God you need him NOW.
Lovexx
Courage. Our family has been through variations of your current trials. It doesn’t feel great, but we all get through these challenges, don’t we? Accept all the help you are offered. Take any benefits available without embarrassment: unemployment insurance, food benefits, whatever. That is what those benefits are there for. Let your older children help. Can they get part time jobs to cover some of their own expenses? Or babysit while you do something part time? There is a job out there for Jonny. Please know that you have lots of folks out here who are rooting for you all.
God bless and best wishes.
Big Hugs….Its my prayer that all falls into place, a blessing you never expected. I can remember well that my husband got laid off about a month before our wedding! That scramble led to him getting a much better job, and through that job— he met a boss that handpicked him for another company where he’s now second in command in his department! All that from a lay-off and then a small entry level position he took to make ends meet. Praying something just as wondeful comes your husband’s way .
THank goodness for answered prayers and sweet babies!~!
Ginny, my prayers are with you and your family. I completely feel let God take your stress away, he is with you-all, he knows and will keep you and your family wrapped
in his loving, caring arms as he guides you-all to the next “best” place of employment for Jonny.
loving caring prayers for you-all
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Jonny’s job. Many years ago as I returned from an educational reading event at 2 a.m., my husband opened his eyes and told me he too lost his job! We had just built a brand new house and I was gripped by terror. In two weeks he was offered a job at a start up company and the rest is history. I’m hoping for all the best for you and your family and the storm is gentle on you and others along the eastern shore. Sending my love from California!
You are in my prayers as well. We’re walking a bit of the same journey at the moment, except my husband voluntarily left his job a year and a half ago- it was more than time after 9 years of a really stressful environment. He took some time off, but it’s taking way longer to find work than we thought it would. It has enabled him to care for our kids while I’m on bedrest with unexpected baby #4… we’re trying to be thankful for that and trust that God will provide the next steps once Baby is born. But it’s really hard and scary a lot of the time. I’ll be praying for us both!
Praying for calmness and peace and a job that will exceed your expectations.
Praying for you, Ginny & Jonny, and of course the kids. They watch even when we don’t realize it. Yes, God has a way of answering our prayers way better than we even imagine. I’m excited to see how he does that! I will continue to pray for you from Iowa!
Ever since the last recession we have been through job changes a couple of times……It is a stressful time but also a growth time. Not just for you & Jonny but your family as well. The kindness of neighbors & sometimes strangers is a true blessing. I have a feeling that your family is going to be blessed many times over during this period of changes and you will emerge strong and just fine. Love to you all.❤
God does, indeed, provide in ways we fail to expect in faith. I’ve been where you are on both counts, Ginny ~ husband unemployed, twice, and an unexpected pregnancy resulting in lifelong blessings of my daughter. Yes, I panicked over the first, but we made it through those times with grace and dignity. I pray you will, too.
Ginny,
Your blog has offered consolation since started reading it when all of my (now big) children were very small. I am so sorry that this has been a hard time. I struggled with similar things in our own family over the summer. In fact, I was very physically sick because of it. It was absolutely terrifying and bizarre all at the same time. The most consoling scripture for me was Genesis 22, specifically Gen 22:13. God will provide. His plan is so unbelievably perfect; I think it’s literally impossible for us to see. But He will make things abundantly clear, as I know you have already begun to see. Praying for you, sister in Christ.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. I am also full of admiration for the way that you are dealing with it. Needless to say, you are in my thoughts and prayers as well. X
Oh, Ginny. I understand. I do. This might help:
https://rachelwolfclean.com/2017/04/unlikely-blessings.html
Big love from Wisco,
Rachel
It’s so scary and I will pray for you all. If everything stayed the same, we would never change and open ourselves up to something new that can be the most wonderful thing that ever happened. The anxiety can be paralyzing, but don’t give in to that. Chin up, positive thoughts and support one another—this is a test. You will pass with flying colors and get to the other side. Again, prayers are coming your way from Colorado for all of you.
Prayers for you and yours, and celebration of prayers answered. Hoping that you find peace and satisfaction in your journey AND the destination.
I am so sorry to hear about your family’s struggles, Ginny. I will be praying for all of you! In truth, your situation hits very close to home for me. Last December we found out that the bank my husband works for was being merged. His job (in IT) was not in immediate danger, but it was clear there wasn’t going to be a long-term future for him there. He spent months applying for jobs and not getting them. It was incredibly stressful. I begged St. Cajetan (the patron of job seekers & the unemployed) and the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for us. In the end, my husband got a great job that pays what we need it to pay, and offers a lot of new and interesting opportunities for him. It’s a bit of a commute, but that is to be expected given our location in a rural area. He starts on October 1st, ten years (almost to the date!) from when he started the job he is leaving. I know so intimately that deep well of anxiety that wakes you in the night, but I also know in my heart and soul the magnitude of God’s providence. St. Cajetan, ora pro nobis!
Ginny,
Can you share what line of work Johnny has been in? I work for a company that supports remote employees that can telecommute and would gladly check on possible opportunities. Praying for your family that God will put down the next stepping stone on your path.
Oh, job loss is so frightening. We’ve been there, and hopefully you’ll follow down the same path we did, with a better job with greater opportunities headed your way.
I’m so sorry, Ginny. My husband lost his job suddenly this spring. It was so stressful and frightening, but he found a much better job (in fit and pay) not too long after. Praying for you all, and praying for a new, great job very soon. Praying for hustle to find a new place. Praying for peace and relief from anxiety as you wait. May you see God in new ways during this season. (Also we were blessed by praying a novena to St. Joseph that I heard of from Auntie Leila from Like Mother Like Daughter.)
What a sweet baby. Prayers for you all – may God bring peace and just the right job!
I am so sorry you’re going through this. I’m especially sorry because we just went through it ourselves. My husband’s job became more and more precarious before the whole company went under this past summer. You’re right that the knot of anxiety before the actual unemployment event comes is worse than it actually happening. The knot loosened afterwards for me as well.
Funnily enough, our situation is worlds more stable now than before so it really did all end up working out fine. And his new job is so, so so much better. But I doubt I would have been receptive to that message when we were going through that stress.
You’re right, there’s a plan, and I hope it’s revealed soon so you can have piece of mind.
Yes, He answers prayers. He makes a way where there seems to be none!
Lifting your family now and in the coming days. ❤️
Hoping and praying for you all Ginny. Unemployment is a heavy cross. Be gentle with yourselves as you travel this new path.
Just said some prayers for you and yours. ❤️❤️
keeping you all in my thoughts!
when one door closes another one shall open xx
I so admire that you are already seeing gifts of grace and hope. My thoughts will be with you and know that spirit will help to guide you on your journey.
As granddaddy used to say Ginny….This to shall pass ?
Doug and I were frightened not to long ago about his job layoff, but it works out.It always passes but some days are a little harder than others.I love you my sweet sister.God will make a way even when the light seems dim. ❤Angie
Hugs upon hugs to you and Jonny. I will add you to my prayer list. You will be thought of in the coming weeks. May God hold you in a tight bear hug and help you to feel Him close.
Oh gosh Ginny, you and your family will be in my prayers as you guys adjust to this change! I know what it’s like to have the possibility of lost income hanging over you and I wouldn’t wish that kind of anxiety on my worst enemy. The time your family will gain together in this season though…what a blessing that could be!
Reading you heals, thank you.
We know the loss of job stresses in our home all to well. My husband had a revolving door of jobs the last few years in IT and with 6 of our own kids, well it can get overwhelming with worries. But with it came a lot more family time for him, something he always feels he is missing out on at work. But even where G-d has not opened a door, we created a window and are starting our own business by the end of the year, together. And we can also focus on our family together. After some very needed together time you two will also know where to find your window.
Oh, Ginny. I’m so sorry. I can only imagine the stress. Your father’s words are wise–I distinctly remember two big job changes that my dad made and how we walked through that as a family, how hard it was at times and yet, here we are, all okay all these many years later. God provides. We will be praying for you guys. I know how sometimes in the midst of something so hard we can’t seem to find the energy or words to pray for ourselves and need to be carried in the prayers of our brothers and sisters, and to remember how Christ is always interceding for us before the throne. How sweet of God to show you that He sees even your “small” every day needs in sending you the boys clothing just at the right time. He knows, before we even ask.
So sorry about Jonny’s job, praying that he finds something fulfilling and less stressful soon. You are wonderful in your ability to notice and focus on the positive in your life during a time of upheaval. Praying that you and everyone near the coast are safe as the hurricane approaches!
Ginny, my prayers are with you and Jonny. Tell Jonny that we all lift him up and pray for his worries to be replaced with calmness and confidence. You both put so much good into this world. I ask God to allow blessings to flow to you both. That in times of stress for him that you can be strong and that when you feel anxious he can bring strength. Reach out to your folks on the blog if you all need help.
Hannah