This summer our family walked through our own wilderness. Our desert was full of uncertainty, waiting, apprehension, anger, annoyance, and fear. It started last fall when my husband got a new general manager at work. This GM began to systematically fire every department head. We knew in the spring that our time was coming and we waited anxiously, wondering when, hoping it wouldn't, hoping it would. Waiting. Waiting is a hard thing to do. After a few MONTHS of being toyed with, of being told one thing, then being told something else, and shortly before the contract expired, my husband was told none of it mattered, new eyes were needed. His contract would not be renewed, his services (after 15 years) were no longer needed. At least we knew. That wait was over. Then we got to the sand dunes. Up one side down the other, like a roller coaster. Apply for this, apply for that. Wait. "We have decided to go in a different direction". Apply, interview, wait some more. Rejection. Repeat the cycle. Climb another dune. Then there was the 8 week interview process and finally...The PROMISED LAND.
And like Moses and the Israelites, we were not left to wander aimlessly. We had the oasis of faith,
knowing that we must trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7) ,
knowing that the Lord has plans for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future ( Jeramiah 29:11),
knowing that we cannot comprehend all that the Lord can comprehend,
knowing that we are little children, and don't yet understand the great blessings the Father has in his own hands and prepared for us ( Doctrine and Covenants 78:17),
knowing that "We are troubled on every side, yet we are not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
And we had manna from heaven. Our friends were manna to us, everyone who prayed for us and wandered with us, who encouraged us and comforted us, waited with us and rejoiced with us. Thank you. Thank you for being the manna in our wilderness. Without you, we couldn't have made it to the Promised Land.
And like Moses and the Israelites, we were not left to wander aimlessly. We had the oasis of faith,
3 comments:
Beautiful! You have a gift of expressing yourself in writing. I also completely relate!
Oh how we love the Hammer family! We are thrilled that such a wonderful opportunity came forward for Kelly. You guys handled this with such dignity and grace. We have to thank both you and Kelly for being such good examples to us. For trusting in the Lord, and continuing to put one foot in front of the other. You are strong people, with strong faith and determination.
So beautiful Mara! I am SO very glad everything worked out the way it did. You guys are one amazing family. We feel so lucky to have you in our life.
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