Thanks ladies for your prayers. We really need them. It came about tonight at the church board meeting that we will be leaving the church. It is an answer to prayer. But we have no clue where we're going. We're truly homeless. Our home burned down about 15 months ago.
I know God is in control. He is leading & guiding us. He's told us to wait. He's had us waiting for a few months now. But when we can do nothing else, we wait....& of course pray.
Our vacation is scheduled for next week. We were planning to leave Sunday afternoon after morning service. We've decided to just take Sunday off. PD, I actually mentioned to dh this evening about leaving Saturday & going to your church on Sunday.
Of course, we have church on Wednesday night. I have the hardest time putting on a fake smile. Somehow we'll get through it.
We're hurting. But we know we're in God's will.
Specific prayers...that God would open the doors where He would have us go, for us to be able to make it financially, for our kids to be spared the hurt & pain as much as possible, for the family to be physically healthy. Dh & I have been battling a lot of physical ailments. In fact, my chest has been constantly tight for weeks now.
Thank you so much ladies. I truly cannot say thank you enough. It means the world to me to know that you're thinking of us & praying for us.
Trace, We left our church back in Aug after many months of praying and fasting. PD knows all about it. I will be praying for you and for your children. Transitions are not always easy for us let alone for our children. I am going to not only pray for healing (in every form) and guidance but for total rest for you and your husband. A rest that only comes from our Father. I will also be praying for provision.
God is faithful! Even when times are the bleakest He is faithful! He is faithful on the mountain tops and faithful in the valley.
Thanks so much Melissa. It means the world to know that you are praying for our family & knowing that we're not alone.
We're really concerned about our 13 year old. After all, he's 13 & definitely not an easy age. We've learned that there has been a lady coming up to him complaining. Really? Do you have to pick on a 13 year old kid?? We're praying for a place that has a dynamic youth group for his sake.
One thing amazing happened today. My dh visited a gentleman in our church. He said "Pastor, did something bad happen at the board meeting on Monday night? I came up to the church to pray for Monday night prayer & felt that something ungodly was taking place. I just started immediately praying for you." Needless to say, both dh & I were dumbfounded. What the devil means for evil, God means for good!!
I read your post on "Focus." Just want to let you know that it really ministered to me.
Thank you! I have to reread the post on Focus myself. Things here financially have gotten worse. Thankful for the job my dh has but I am still searching.
WOW about the guy! We have had a few people come to us saying things of that nature when we were struggling with the decision to leave our previous church. One of the reasons we finally decided to step down was for the spiritual safety for our kids. We were watching our oldest become bitter and fill with anger about things people were saying around him about us. We didn't know till we moved that there were people talking about us with him present. He is 10 but thinks he is older and felt he had to shoulder the pain.
The gull of people to actually come to your son and complain. UGH! We will continue to pray. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! There are a few of us on here that have recently decided or have stepped down from their positions in their churches. Something that I truly believe is that despite the hurts, frustrations and sadness God is faithful and He WILL continue to use us when we are ready and He feels we are ready.
Transitions and the holding pattern that follows on occasion is not always easy that is for sure. But God has His timing for everything and despite the circumstances for the ending of a season He already has the next one planned out.
Hang in there. You truly are not alone and I personally will be praying for you through this time.
Today was the "big day." Dh gave his resignation this morning & we will not be back at the church. We will be able to stay at the parsonage until Christmas break. Only God knows where we will be after that.
We would love to move to central Florida if God allows. We definitely know that we are not called to a "traditional" aka legalistic church. We want to be free to be who God has called us to be.
Thanks for your prayers. We are still in need of them.
>>> Although I know this is a very difficult time, thank goodness you have the next two months to stay in your home and start laying out plans to move. We unfortunately did not get that chance. As soon as my dh turned in his resignation we were given till the end of the month to move out. God does have a place for you to be "free" to be able to move in the spirit and be used the way God intends to use you with out chains around you the way a legalistic church places on you. We completely understand! I will continue to lift you up! God does have a plan for you and do NOT allow any doubts to enter your mind. Take this time as a season of rest and healing until He opens the door for ministry. This is coming from someone that is in the midst of that kind of season.
Thought I'd give an update: We're packing & getting ready to move in about 2 weeks. We've got a couple of resume's out, but of course the churches are waiting until the new year to find a pastor. I guess we're going to move in w/ my parents. They'll be 7 of us in a 2 bedroom mobile home. They do have a camper that we'll be using as an extra bedroom. We're down to one income now. Please continue to pray for us. We definitely need it.
Trace, we have been there and my heart goes out to you. I know how hard this is. Years ago when we were in a similar situation we all had to live with my mom...in one room, with the kids sleeping on the floor...nothing but our suitcases for months while all of our stuff that we did get to keep was in storage in a Sunday School Room. (Couldn't afford a storage locker.)
I know right now things seem bleaker than ever before and you wonder if you will be on the other side of this one day and the answer is YES. And you will be more fearless than before, because you have gone through this.
Please know you and your husband are not whatever those people at the last church thought you were, or said you were. You are what God says you are and even if you are seven people living in a mobile home, you are still God's BEST!!!! You are called, you are anointed, you have purpose, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
