Praise the Lord!

Steven surprised me on Friday with the news that he has been promoted. He called me on his way home from work and the conversation when something like this:
Steven:"Hi. Are you sitting down?"
Me: "No."
Steven: "Well, maybe you should sit down."
Me: "Why?! What's going on?"
Steven: "I was promoted today."
Me: "Shut up. Are you being serious?"
Steven: "Yes."
Me: "Shut up! Shuuuuut Up!"

To be honest the rest of the conversation was a blur, but that news was music to my ears. After Audrey was born prematurely I quit my full time job at Lincoln Benefit Life to be a stay at home mom. I had always wanted to be a stay at home mom, but financially we were never able to swing it. We had planned to send Audrey to the same in-home daycare that Madeleine had been going to for the past year, until the NICU nurses advised against it. We had no money in savings and I brought home half of our income. How was this going to work? Well, we walked by faith and I quit my job. It has been a financial roller coaster ever since. I work part-time at a Christian Bookstore to supplement Steven's income, but it is not much. We might get by for awhile, then life happens and we get off course. Several months ago we got a letter from the bank stating that they miscalculated our escrgow by $500 and we had the choice to pay it or our monthly mortgage payment would go up beginning in October. Well, we didn't have $500 stashed away so we held our breath and braced ourselves for October. We thought about selling the house. Afterall when we bought it 4 years ago we were both working full time. We never thought we would have to face the obstacles we have overcome in the past two years. However, the thought of selling sounded scary and sad. This is the only home our girls have ever known and Madeleine calls it her castle.

In the past several months Steven has gone up for several promotions only to be turned down. His feedback was always wonderful and he always lost by a hair. One time the person who got it over him had been there a month longer and had seniority. Steven came to find out later that this person applied for the job on a whim and did not have a family to support. After being passed on a couple times Steven was frustrated and discouraged. Our financial situation was looking grim.

Then, on Friday, out of the blue he was offered a promotion. He did not have to apply or interview; he is known to be a good worker and respected enough in the department that the job was given to him based on those well know facts.

I understand that what I just shared was very personal, however when God works in my life I don't want to keep it a secret. I want to tell the world. It is no accident that Steven was promoted when he did; our mortgage payment is going up this month. God is taking care of us just as He has from the beginning. Those of you who know me best know that my first reaction to every problem is to worry and panic. I have been in a constant state of panic since we received the letter from our bank. I did pray, but I am guilty of worrying more. Thankfully God heard my prayers and forgave me for worrying. He just reminded me that He is and always will be in control.

Congratulations, Steven! :) You worked hard for that promotion and I am so very proud of you!

The following is some scripture that I take comfort in:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

But seek first Kingdom and his righteousmess and all these things will given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will wory about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-27, 33-34