MIA Part 2

Well, so much for trying to post twice a week! I can only apologise for my long absence and cite extenuating circumstances.

From memory last time I posted work was beginning to slacken off and I was mildly concerned, especially as we had stepped out in faith (basically we were worried, but prayed about it and felt God say it was OK) and agreed to allow our daughter go on the school skiing trip, and the large balance was due, just when I was trying to purchase Christmas presents. Either the ski balance or Christmas would be a major ask, but to have both due at the same time, and then for work to run out, well, it was a test of my trust in God.

I did have some wobbles, I must be honest. Money was tight, and  we also had our eldest's birthday looming which meant both a party and present on top of a seemingly impossible draw on our funds. Then my husband broke a tooth, requiring rather a lot of money to repair, then I needed an expensive trip to the dentist. And did I mention one of car's broke down and I also had quite a run of bad health?

One day I felt so stressed that I'm afraid I lost my temper with someone. It was returning home from a school pick up and the woman in front of me started driving insanely, then stopped her car and got out and started verbally abusing me. The devil knows how to push our buttons! And I am sad to admit I lost my temper and offered her some not very child friendly advice! But it was a real epiphany, because I quickly realised that I had to be able to keep my cool even when under great pressure, be it a mad woman, ill health, finances, all of the above or something else. I need to be more consistent in my behaviour and really, be a better representative of God - after all if I wouldn't behave like it in front of Jesus or the vicar, then I should probably adjust my attitude and behaviour.

I have also been trying to maintain a more positive attitude and thought life and can confirm that it really does seem to make a difference in circumstances and have a direct effect on my health. The more positive thinking and trusting in God I do, the more my health seems to improve.

I had had quite a run of ill health. I was starting to feel like I'd never properly improve. I'm not sure why, or whether it was a test for moving onto the next level of health, but it does feel like moving up steps and seeing overall a good gradual improvement, because I have been on the whole far better in recent weeks. I have had some more difficult days, but I've also had some days where I have felt really very well, and that for me is a miracle, especially considering what we've been up to.

When work slowed we put out a prayer request to close friends, and we were almost run out of work completely, but then it got suddenly very, very busy! Work for me had almost run out, but I've had work to do and have been out on the job a lot more. We've also been working morning, afternoon and out working evenings too.

On top of that I've had to be really on top of finances to make sure customers are paid up and bills are fine. I've had to organise Christmas, purchase all the gifts, ensure they've all arrived, write Christmas cards, thank all our customers, organise food for the festive season, organise a birthday party for my eldest, take her out shopping for new clothes as a birthday treat, and still keep on top of the house, homework and everything else. My husband and I have regularly got to bed at midnight and then we need to unwind to get to sleep, before getting up and getting going again the next day.

Last weekend was also the party, so we had a house full of teenagers from Saturday morning to Sunday lunchtime, then a few hours off before going out to watch one of my kids in the Nativity at church Sunday evening (It was the funniest nativity I've ever seen, with a six foot tall teenage boy pretending to be a sheep and saying 'baa' in a very depressed way in all the wrong places, amongst other things. And there was a great rendition of 'Little Donkey' advising Mary and Joseph to follow Health and Safety regulations that seem to dominate our country at times). So we didn't even get any 'down' time (but we did get a good laugh), or time just to vegetate last weekend and I felt like a nomad in my own home because I had to largely keep out of the way of all the teenagers (as I am not 'cool' enough to be around!).

But, this is not a moan (for once!). I am writing of how much we have had on in terms of time, effort and financially, and spoken about my health issues, because I look back at all we have been able to do and all that has been achieved and paid for (no credit cards, all paid for) and I am frankly, stunned. God has been so good! To get so much achieved, and to feel so reasonably well, is incredible.

We are feeling it though - we are only human! I am sat in my thermal trousers and top as I cannot get warm, because I am so tired, and my poor husband is still out working even though he felt really quite rough today. But what God has achieved through us, and how He has kept us going and helped us at every turn, is just amazing. I can truly sit down this Christmas, with my family, and be very, very thankful.

But even as I write this I am aware that so many others in the world have so much more real struggles than I. Those in the Philippines trying to rebuild, with no homes, no possessions, no health care and little or no food. Syrian refugees who live in tents in the snow because that's all they have. The homeless who have no shelter from the storms we have had in the UK. Those who suffer with much more urgent problems. My prayer, after my prayers of thanks for how God has helped me, must be that the Lord would equip me to be able to go out and help others. This is scriptural: "3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinithians 1: 3 - 4.

I pray that you will know God's peace and His very real love and help with whatever you need this Christmas time.

Hopefully it won't be half so long before I can post again, and apologise once again for the long delay. This time, I was MIA because of good, busy things - something to celebrate! God bless : )