Not what you would expect!

Lessons learned through times of trouble aren't always the same for everyone.


And the lessons that you learn in certain instances...aren't always the ones that you expected to learn! This week has continued to be a time of learning for our family...and it has been good for us.
God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are above our thoughts. He has specific plans in every situation in our lives! We have learned many lessons...and still continue to learn.

For ten plus years, there have been many lessons learned in the business world. We know for sure that there is a greater good that God has in mind for all these lessons...and we are at peace. There have been many opportunities to experience many things, and we are grateful. We were not the ones who decided all these experiences, and for that we are grateful too. We know that God has meant everything for our good!

One would expect us to have learned about God's provision.
Oh, He has taken great care of us to be sure...He just does it in many different ways...not always how we hoped He would.

One would expect us to have learned to trust Him.
We have and He has been leading all the time...even when we don't see the way clearly.

One would expect us to have learned to be content.
We are grateful for every breath we take wherever we are...and know that He is our Sustainer.

One would expect us to have learned to give back to God.
Everything we have belongs to God, we are only stewards.

The lessons we have needed to learn...surrender, waiting patiently, love for each other and our children, duty, release of control, patience, consistency, priorities, respect for authority, obedience to God's Word, submission, willingness, faithfulness, prayer...

The lessons we have learned...are the ones that God has wanted us to learn.
He has shown us our weaknesses and He has brought us to this place.
Without Him...we are nothing!

There are certain things that God expects from His children...
trouble in our life doesn't give us a free pass to think, act, and talk however we feel!
We have been bought with a price...and we are to glorify Him!
Even in our troubles...let me rephrase that...especially in our troubles...
People are watching us...what are we telling them about our Heavenly Father?

If He truly is our Heavenly Father...it doesn't matter if we are out shopping, at work, at home with children, with friends, or just driving down the road...we have a responsibility to our Lord to think, act, and talk as the Bible commands. He is faithful. He never changes. He loves us. He expects us to obey His laws/statutes/commandments.

A wise man reminded me a few weeks ago of Daniel and his friends. God didn't deliver them out of their trouble...He allowed them to be thrown into that firey furnace! He was with them the entire time!
God expected them to handle those times of testing (trouble) in a certain way and according to certain commands. Their obedience brought blessing!
God never forsakes us!

We have learned a great deal over the last ten plus years...and if you happen to ask us about it...
the lessons we have learned won't be what you expect to hear!