Last week we were surprised to find in our mailbox, a letter from my employer, offering me a retirement package. I had already received 3 of these in the past but it was not part of our plan to accept them at that time as we were both hoping to retire at 60. Well, as we found out, our ways are not always God's ways. What do I do now? My desire is to stay home and care for my husband and it is becoming more and more evident that he needs me now already. Is this God's answer? But if I accept the package, I will not have my job waiting for me after Jack is gone, and I will need to support myself and this is a such a good job and I love my work and I need the benefits..... these were the thoughts that started rolling through my mind over and over. The other option would be to take a leave of absence which would ensure that my job would be waiting for me. Even if I accept the package,it does not necessarily mean that it will be approved. What should we do? So we decided to do both, accept the package and request a leave of absence, and we will leave it up to God to decide which one is best for me.
Aaaahhh all these changes in my life in a matter of a few months! We moved out of the house we lived in for 25 years, my husband of 35 years is dying, I'm losing the job I've had for 22 years....... and then Sunday morning in church, I heard that we will now be losing our dearly beloved pastor of 22 years as he has accepted the call to a church in the Netherlands. What a shock! My initial response was self pity, "How could he do that to us, just now when we need him so much. What about his visits with Jack? He has to do the funeral...." and the tears flowed and flowed.
But this faithful pastor, who so obviously loves his congregation, proceeded to do what faithful pastors do, he pointed us to the Great Shepherd of his flock, who will never leave us who says to us, "Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:" Ex.33:21 and that rock is Jesus "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" Ex.34:6.
When the Master calls, we must obey and that is what our pastor is doing. We are not going to be left alone, Jesus, the head of his church will not leave our congregation and He will not leave me.
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord" Job 1:21
The Lord of hosts is with us, The God of Jacob is our refuge. He will go with us through the deepest valleys. Many tears may (and will) flow but He will uphold you.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and Jack.
Mary V.
Hi Lena and Jack
ReplyDeleteA year ago I lost a true brother in the Lord with ALS. I went through the journey with him as a close friend and it is amazing how our Lord and Saviour will provide for and give you the strength you both need. He did it for them and He will do it for you. I was shocked when I read your post as I was not fully aware what was going on. It has been many years since we saw the both of you, which was before you were married. I remember a lot of fun times that I had at Jack's place on Islington Ave Toronto, especially when I worked for his dad.
The Lord has a plan for us all. It took me until 1989 before I had a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Lots of things have happened since that day which has drawn me closer to Him. I had a breakdown and almost lost a son in a serious car accident; however God was and is faithful through it all. We constantly draw our strength from him. May you continue to trust Him in everything and may you forever feel His presence. Greetings to the both of you and your extended families as well.
Walt & Yvonne Noordam