Hurricane Sandy was a doozy! I live in Eastern PA and the wind gusts were up to 81 miles per hour and we got between 2 - 4 inches of rain. Although our lights flickered a bit during the high winds, we never lost power. We did lose our cable and phone for two days, but we made it through the storm virtually unscathed.
What really has moved me the most through the last week is how people are working together to get through this. There were homes and businesses without power for five days; food had spoiled; homes without hot water; schools were closed and there were long lines at convenience stores that sell coffee and gas.
Through phone calls, emails and social media, I've seen offers for people to come to homes to charge their phones and computers, get a warm shower and a place to sleep. I met some men from South Carolina that drove all the way up here with their trucks so they could help restore the power in our area... staying in tractor trailers outfitted with bunk beds.
In times like this I see God working in peoples lives. The love and compassion that people have for one another is truly touching. I know that for some people, they don't even realize that God is at work... they may be motivated by money or a sense of obligation, not realizing they are a tool for God's handiwork. Perhaps the person on the receiving end has lost hope or faith, but these little (and sometimes big) gestures help to restore what is lost. We don't need a devastating storm to bring the best out in people... all we have to do is look around and see what it is we can do for someone else. Perhaps it's returning a shopping cart from an elderly person, or pay for someone's coffee at a convenience store. When I see the compassion of others I know God is at work and I am hopeful.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Monday, November 5, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Holy Week and Faith
As a Christian, I am looking forward to this Holy Week. I have plans to attend my church for services on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and I look forward to the hope of transformation in my life. With all the changes that have occurred over the past few months, Easter has a deeper meaning to me.
Losing my job is a life-changing event and I had two choices- I could be bitter, or I could use the time as an opportunity to grow further into my true identity. I've really enjoyed these months as I explore my options, investigate different businesses, and allow myself to be guided by God. It's amazing how He uses people to communicate to us, whether it's a suggestion from a friend or stranger... or something we see or hear when we are out and about. If we listen closely enough we will know what it is that God wants us to know.
I also believe that our plans are not always readily visible for us, that we must have faith that things will work out the way they are supposed to. My husband is a little fearful of the future and our ability to sustain a decent standard of living. I try to reassure him that we are okay, but he is concerned. I have to remind myself to be diligent in moving forward, but to have faith that things will be okay.
I continue to have faith in this journey and look forward to the hope of Easter. That through my faith I will know God's will for me and that I will set aside the fear and move forward in the direction set before me.
Until next time,
Sue
Losing my job is a life-changing event and I had two choices- I could be bitter, or I could use the time as an opportunity to grow further into my true identity. I've really enjoyed these months as I explore my options, investigate different businesses, and allow myself to be guided by God. It's amazing how He uses people to communicate to us, whether it's a suggestion from a friend or stranger... or something we see or hear when we are out and about. If we listen closely enough we will know what it is that God wants us to know.
I also believe that our plans are not always readily visible for us, that we must have faith that things will work out the way they are supposed to. My husband is a little fearful of the future and our ability to sustain a decent standard of living. I try to reassure him that we are okay, but he is concerned. I have to remind myself to be diligent in moving forward, but to have faith that things will be okay.
I continue to have faith in this journey and look forward to the hope of Easter. That through my faith I will know God's will for me and that I will set aside the fear and move forward in the direction set before me.
Until next time,
Sue
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Seeing the Blessings
Lately I have had this overwhelming feeling that I am blessed. I don't have a job, and yet I feel a sense of abundance. My heart is filled with gratitude and hope for the future. I was sitting with a bunch of friends last night and one of them is older with cancer that has spread to his organs and brain. He was sharing about how grateful he was that he had a chance to go through each and every experience in his life- both good and bad. He talked about how he saw children fighting this battle with cancer, and some of them would never make it to college, or get a job, or know how to be a lover, or get married and have a family. He has 5 children, 14 grandchildren and a loving wife of many years and he is blessed.
He may be sick and leave this earth, but he is blessed. He is surrounded by God's light and love; he is surrounded by the love of his family and friends; He has lived a life filled with work, golf, friendship and service. He is blessed... and I am blessed to be able to call him my friend, but that is not where my blessings stop.
I am blessed that I don't have a job (check back with me to see if I still feel this way in a couple months ;o). This is a time for me to reflect on my past and move into the future. It's a time to look at what's in my heart and move forward. I want to work for myself- and create a business that will allow me to earn a decent living, yet be there for my children as they move into grade school. I don't know what to do, how to do it or where the money will come from, but I want to try. I would rather take the risk and give this a try, than get old and regret what if...
I'm learning there are many resources out there. Places I can go to learn, people I can talk to that can direct me to where I need to go. Believe me I am scared to start my own business, to leave the security of a guaranteed paycheck... (but then again, what paycheck is really guaranteed)?
I am blessed with faith in God, knowing that this is all part of a greater plan. I am blessed with a family that I love so very deeply, and that love me too. I am blessed with an abundance of friends who have been there for me over the years, through the good times and bad. I am blessed with a roof over my head and warm clothes to wear and I am blessed that you are reading my blog.
He may be sick and leave this earth, but he is blessed. He is surrounded by God's light and love; he is surrounded by the love of his family and friends; He has lived a life filled with work, golf, friendship and service. He is blessed... and I am blessed to be able to call him my friend, but that is not where my blessings stop.
I am blessed that I don't have a job (check back with me to see if I still feel this way in a couple months ;o). This is a time for me to reflect on my past and move into the future. It's a time to look at what's in my heart and move forward. I want to work for myself- and create a business that will allow me to earn a decent living, yet be there for my children as they move into grade school. I don't know what to do, how to do it or where the money will come from, but I want to try. I would rather take the risk and give this a try, than get old and regret what if...
I'm learning there are many resources out there. Places I can go to learn, people I can talk to that can direct me to where I need to go. Believe me I am scared to start my own business, to leave the security of a guaranteed paycheck... (but then again, what paycheck is really guaranteed)?
I am blessed with faith in God, knowing that this is all part of a greater plan. I am blessed with a family that I love so very deeply, and that love me too. I am blessed with an abundance of friends who have been there for me over the years, through the good times and bad. I am blessed with a roof over my head and warm clothes to wear and I am blessed that you are reading my blog.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Self-Worth and Self-Discovery
It seems like every few days I feel emotional. Today is one of those days. I know that part of change is letting go of the past and sometimes I find myself holding onto things that aren't good for my mental well being. I think what bothers me the most is when I see something change that I had a part of. I don't know if it's because I've gotten myself wrapped up in what I believe in so much that I can't see an alternate view, or if it's just grieving the loss of something I loved so much.
Perhaps I found too much of my self-worth through my work and not enough through my faith. I'm one of those people that as a child, I had a lot of negative messages going through my head, and although I am older and have worked through most of the messages, some are still there. I remember when I was in my 20's I posted little notes around my apartment to change the way I thought of myself. After a couple years I began to believe in my abilities and really started to grow in my position at work. I gained more and more experience, and was promoted a few times into new roles that I found challenging and rewarding. I invested a lot of time and emotions into my job.
Where do I get my self-worth from now that I don't have a job? As I mentioned above, I can turn to God for help with this but what else? My children, my husband, my home, my family... a little bit of everything? Perhaps there is more than one reason I find myself without a job and going through this change. Maybe I will learn more about myself than I ever dreamed of. I know this too shall pass in regards to how I feel today and I must have faith that things are going to be okay. Self-discovery is a wonderful thing, and I am grateful I have this opportunity.
Until next time.
Sue
Perhaps I found too much of my self-worth through my work and not enough through my faith. I'm one of those people that as a child, I had a lot of negative messages going through my head, and although I am older and have worked through most of the messages, some are still there. I remember when I was in my 20's I posted little notes around my apartment to change the way I thought of myself. After a couple years I began to believe in my abilities and really started to grow in my position at work. I gained more and more experience, and was promoted a few times into new roles that I found challenging and rewarding. I invested a lot of time and emotions into my job.
Where do I get my self-worth from now that I don't have a job? As I mentioned above, I can turn to God for help with this but what else? My children, my husband, my home, my family... a little bit of everything? Perhaps there is more than one reason I find myself without a job and going through this change. Maybe I will learn more about myself than I ever dreamed of. I know this too shall pass in regards to how I feel today and I must have faith that things are going to be okay. Self-discovery is a wonderful thing, and I am grateful I have this opportunity.
Until next time.
Sue
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