Doug and I were talking last night as we were trying to drift off to sleep...we got talking about the fact that his job with the pool company is ending in less than 5 months and we have nothing on the radar scope for a job in the ministry that he desires to be in...I was asking him what his "plan b" was if December rolls around and there is no job yet.  He said he doesn't have a plan b...and we both sat there quietly and then I realized that I wasn't anxious about it.  Big surprise for those of you that really know me.  I worry about everything.  When I told this to Doug, he said the same thing...though he doesn't tend to worry about things, when it comes to providing for his family he cares very much and is a planner and the fact that he has no plan SHOULD be making him lose his mind...or at the least, be putting out resumes to any place in Naples that is hiring...but, there is peace.

Not the kind of peace that we just expect a job to come knocking on our doorstep. Not the kind of peace that we just know God is going to provide the perfect job at the perfect timing...not the kind of peace that says "throw caution to the wind and be carefree"...but rather the kind of peace that is mentioned in Philippians 4:6-7.  I can say that I am truly experiencing this and so is my husband and it's amazing.  We have laid our petitions before God and believe that we are following the call that He put on Doug's life over 18 months ago when we sought hard after what it was Doug was "made" to do.  I believe God has guarded our hearts and minds when it comes to being concerned about the future, just like He promises to do in these verses.  I am not a scholar or a teacher of the Word of God. I haven't done my research on the surrounding verses and the context etc. of this particular passage.  I know that God has told us to store up His Word in our hearts and He brings these particular passages to mind in times like these. I believe the Word is alive and speaks to us in particular times for specific purposes.  Sometimes it might be in a deep study where the context is important and I believe other times it is for moments like this:  Moments of wonder at how I'm laying here at peace with a very disturbing situation that is coming upon us very soon...and in my spirit, a verse that was memorized long ago (and is heard alot in church and other Christian circles) comes to life.  

We are all living in the same times right now.  We are hearing how terrible the economy is and so forth and even with all that, I'm not worried about what is to come. I believe God is speaking the truth when He says He will provide our daily bread.  I don't particularly want to find myself IN that type of situation, but I believe what He says and I am not too proud to call upon those promises if need be, come December 31.

I know that Doug needs my support right now.  I know it means the world to him that I am standing firmly with him during this awkward time in our lives.  I sat wondering what might have come from our conversation if I had whispered "Doug, I'm really scared and I'm thinking you need to start looking for jobs, blah blah blah".  I guess I was as surprised at Doug's peace as he was at mine.

Here are the verses:

Philippians 4:6-7  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.