When Things Don't Go According To Plan

I've learned during the summer that sometimes, things don't always go according to plan. Justin was supposed to graduate in April, that didn't happen until August. Every home we found that we wanted to rent was given to someone else. My pregnancy hit a bump that caused me to be on "bed rest" for the last two weeks. Justin hadn't ever found a job.

But, even though things didn't go according to my plan, they went according to the Lord's. And, everything turned out well. Rhys was born healthy, Justin finished all his classes (except for an online class), we had a beautiful home, and Justin was interviewing everywhere.

Then, last week happened to make us even happier.

Everything was finally fitting together: I had a part-time job, allowing me to spend plenty of time with Rhys, we were just about finished paying hospital bills, Justin had just gotten hired at a bank, and we had just found someone in our church who runs an in-home daycare to watch Rhys for us. And, we had just had a wonderful family luncheon when Rhys got blessed.

We were very happy and had nothing to worry about at all!

Then, last Monday came.

Literally right before I left for work, I got a message from the daycare lady that she was going to take a full-time child instead of a part-time child. From a business point of view, I could completely understand--she was helping to provide for her family. I would've made the same decision if I were in her place. However, we freaked out. Justin was to begin work full-time in two days and we had no one to watch Rhys! And I had to go teach. I cried a bit in the car, but wiped my tears before entering the school. During my prep period, I searched and searched for a daycare, as Justin did the same at home. I received a message saying the lady would be willing to watch Rhys until we found another place. I felt a tiny bit better.

Then, when I got home, Justin gave me the bad news. The bank that hired Justin actually decided he wasn't right for the job. They also didn't like the fact that he was still working on one last online class. WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We were devastated. We had been built up so much by this opportunity and now to have it taken away from us. It ruined our plan.  It was a severe blow to us. Justin had been searching for a job basically since the beginning of the year!!!

Last week was very hard for us. We did a lot of number crunching: my part-time salary will barely cover rent, and rent only. And, since I'm part-time, my insurance (and Rhys's) ends with October. This was definitely worrisome. We had worked so hard to both graduate without debt and put a lot away into savings. And now, that would be all for naught.

So what do you do in a situation like this? 

Put all your faith in Christ and remember it is his plan that will happen. That is all you can do and what you should do. We have been very consistent with scripture reading and prayers.

One scripture comes to mind: Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.



 We are also trying our best to help ourselves (as I don't believe the Lord will help you until you try all you can first): Justin is looking for any type of job, and we aren't eating out anymore (it was real hard last night).Justin has already gotten quite a few interviews. We are hoping that if we do everything we can on our side, that Heavenly Father will help us and bless us with a job and perhaps even benefits.

And maybe, that bank job wasn't right for Justin, Maybe the Lord has other things in mind for him and I. 

Our lease is up in January for this townhouse. I have no doubt Justin will get a job, but whether or not we can continue to afford all our monthly expenses is another story. We have backup plans, but we hope we don't have to use them. However, if that is the Lord's plan, we will.  Our main concern is doing whatever is right for Rhys and be able to provide for him and to trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

So, we are just asking, keep us in your prayers. Hopefully the Lord's plan will bring us to where we feel good and secure.