Summer 2008
I lost my job. I had been praying for a new job. My plan was to find something then quit my current job. Instead, I was laid off with no prospects in sight.
I got a new job. It paid less than the previous one. I got a new home.
I love this job, which I still have. Our new home is smaller, cheaper, with easier upkeep. The new location led us to our current church home, which I also love.
Lessons learned:
- My prayers are not always answered how I expect them to be.
- God works everything together for my good. He provides for all my needs.
- The Lord guides my path when I trust Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Summer 2009
I lost my car. I was in a terrifying car crash. We rolled over on the highway four times.
I got a new car. I got a new sense of mortality.
Lessons learned:
- God answers when we cry out to Him.
- I must and can trust Him with my life and death.
- He must have more planned for my life, because I survived a crash that could have easily been fatal.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Summer 2010
I lost my dad. After four weeks of battle in the hospital, he went Home.
I lost friendships. Relational struggles turned my world upside down.
I got a new perspective. I got new friendships – with the same people, at a new and deeper level. I got a new heart.
Lessons learned:
- I cannot rely on my human relationships to sustain me, to fulfill me.
- In Christ alone can I find my strength. He is my foundation.
- Forgiveness. I learned about forgiveness.
- Sometimes we are stretched in painful but effective ways to grow our faith, our character, our love for God and others.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25
Summer 2011
I lost material possessions. The basement flooded. It wasn’t very bad, and we really lost very little. The biggest loss was in time. Move everything out. Clean everything up. Put everything back.
I got another new perspective – on “stuff.”
Lessons learned:
- The more stuff you have, the less free you are.
- Don’t be too attached to material possessions.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-20
Summer 2012…
TBA
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
nennpen.com 