...is how we've been feeling this last week.
Finally the Global Financial Crisis has hit our little part of the Aussie Outback - & it wasn't nice - in fact it hurt....some people a lot. For us on the fringes it left us feeling vulnerable - what was going to happen? Would this be the only time we'd feel the sting of the bee or would it come back again & again until we had to give up all we've worked for? How long would our little piece of the world be structured the way we'd thought? Plans ran through our head trying to avoid all the what ifs, but truthfully we didn't want to go through with any of them.
Finally, once the initial tide of emotions & shock had waylaid, we realised that in actuality we are in fact all vulnerable all of the time - even when we are feeling completely secure. As humans we can not know what is going to happen next week/ tomorrow/ even in the next few minutes. We don't know how secure our family/job/home/farm really is. Our trust in the Rock of Ages is all that holds us strong. God is there no matter what - even if the absolute worst was to happen, He would be there with us & help us through. We can have the courage to know that we can face the very worst face-on because He is with us.
Life settles down....life continues with the new becoming normal & you once again settle comfortably in the routine of it all. Yet I hope I never get so caught up in the false security of it all that I forget the real truth.
' As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.'
Psalm 18:30-32 (NIV)
(All pictures were taken at the Cowra Japenese Gardens!)
.jpg)
22 comments:
Beautiful photographs to accompany some very good thoughts. Thanks.
Very True
Hi Renata - I have just today been thinking of how vulnerable we are, particularly in regard to finances, so your post was very timely. I feel so blessed to be a stay at home mum and teach my children and somehow we scrape through even though we are are on a relatively low income because we are careful with how we manage our money. Then I read in the papers about the possible future changes to the tax system and how the government wants all parents in the workforce... people like me as soon as my youngest child turns 4. With the rising cost of living we are feeling very vulnerable as a family and as a Christian I am seeing all that is happening globally - talk of economies of whole countries collapsing, of the bubble in China bursting and bringing down Australia. We know that our only hope for today and the future is the Lord and that we must start pressing into Him and build our homes, our families, our dreams on the Rock which is the only solid foundation. Who is the rock this verse asks - not the government, not my husband's employer - and tells us but God Himself. It also occurred to me that we only need a shield if we are in a battle and a refuge in a storm but what a promise that our arms will be strengthened and our way made perfect! Thank you for reminding me today that God is there no matter what - He will never abandon us!
Enjoyed your post - very true too, as we found out that day we nearly lost our son. Puts things back into the right perspective (from Christian viewpoint, anyway.)
Your photos are beautiful. I am going to convince HB we need a weekend trip to Cowra just to see the Japanese gardens.
Very true. Who knows what lies around the corner for any one of us?
Good thing the one who does will be there with us and provide for us.
Hi Narn,
Yeah, it hurts when we realise we are vulnerable, but it is so good to know that we can trust in God and He has everything under control.
Give all the little ones a hug for me,
luv
sel
Amen Renata. We bought our business just before the recession. Now it isn't worth half what we paid and our home equity, savings and even some super have all been absorbed in staying afloat. Possible bankruptcy has been a spectre disturbing our sleep for the last year. God always comes through. Will our business survive? We think so, but tough times are ahead for the foreseeable future. I know just how you feel. It's not a nice feeling and faith helps, but because we don't know what God has planned there is still that uneasy feeling that never leaves.
We just know that God is bigger than our problems and a mansion awaits us in heaven.
There is One Who is not at all surprised at what goes on both in our lives and in the world. He is the One Who knows what is best for each of us. As you know He hasn't promised us an easy life, but has promised to be with us always. He will equip each of us to cope with whatever comes our way, and if we continue to trust in Him, He will continue to make us more like Jesus. One thing I have noticed is that when life is running smoothly Aussies (and probably most people) aren't really interested in anything beyond the here & now, and God doesn't figure in their lives. We can only pray in these uncertain times, many will call upon Him, and that His people will be good witnesses & faithful to Him.
Love the Cowra photos - it was such a pretty place - those places of beauty there were created to commemorate a very painful part of that place's history!!
Lots of love to all
Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
hi there Renata! thankyou so much for this post - it really encouraged and resonated with me! Thanks for sharing Psalm 18....love lots, Martine
Trust in Him and you will never fail. He alone is able to bring you help in time of need.
xoxo
Kimmie
mama to 8
one homemade and 7 adopted
Renata, so true! My stomach was in knots all week over some of these very same issues, but God reminded me He was in control and that nothing happens without Him allowing it. He can use everything to serve His divine purposes and plan! Knowing I'm dependent on Him has drawn me closer to His side - which is where I belong all the time, right?!
Like your new blog layout!
Beautiful post and reminder of the truth. I watched a special on the Dahli Lama (sp) yesterday. I loved some of the things he said and believed. The interviewer asked why he thought people with very little smiled so much more often than those who have a lot. The Dahli Lama felt if you don't have anything you don't worry about losing it. However, once you've had a lot you cling to earthly things that really don't matter. Clinging to those things instead of what's really important is what makes people who have supposedly more smile and enjoy life and living much less. I'm still trying to allow all that he said to soak in to my body, mind and soul.
So true! We often get lulled into thinking that this is our HOME and there is nothing else! How wrong that thinking is ~ nothing is permanent this side of Heaven! How wonderful that we have the LORD with us each step of this journey!
GORGEOUS pics by the way! :)
Blessings,
Camille
Oh, and I forgot to say that I love the new blog look!
Renata, we're feeling this too right now. My husband not working for a couple of months has put us in a pinch, and his work is slow. But we know God is faithful, and He does not forsake us. I will pray for you now, as I know you have prayed for me many, many times.
This seems like a silly question to ask right now, but are you on Facebook? Saminda is, and I thought you might be too. If so, send me an e-mail.
Also, Cakes has been wearing and loving her "Aussie Girl" tank that you sent her. It's currently her favorite, and she gets quite distraught when it's in the wash :)
Beautiful and such a thoughtful post. How true your words are.
I certainly know what you are talking about and the unknown can be very scary, but I truly believe if you turn your fears over to God, no matter what, everything will be alright.
Blessings.
How true your words are. I've fretted about things for a long while and in His time they all worked out.
Renata, I know exactly what you are saying. My husband worked 4 hours yesterday and then was sent home. We aren't sure how the bills are going to be paid when he is only working 20-25 hours a week, but we are trusting in the Lord. We know that He will provide.
I'm n the other side of the world feeling the exact same way. We just found out that a job that we thought we had we no longer have.
are those pictures from your backyard?
Damaris
No - my backyard doesn't look anything like this beautiful garden - this is the Cowra Japanese Gardens - made to commemorate when the Japanese broke out of the POW camp located their at Cowra during the 2nd WW.
Thanks for visiting!
Great post... puts everything into perspective.. thanks
I think I have wanted to go to that garden, after I went to Nara Park in Canberra.
Post a Comment