Reading between the lines

I got a letter last night at work from my employer.  It was explaining that in response to the sequester, they had waived the requirement for reinstating use-or-lose annual leave (paid vacation).  We can only carry over so many hours, anything above that number, if you don't use it, you lose it.  Except this year because the budget cuts have created chaos.

At first, the letter seems harmless, but when you read between the lines, what the letter says is "we're not going to let you take leave because we're already losing a day of work a week and we can't offer you overtime, either, so....

Sometimes you have to read between the lines.  Sometimes what's not said is just as important as what is said.

And sometimes, not so much.

I had this conversation with a good friend yesterday.  I'm so thankful I have a friend who thinks enough of me to tell me I'm nuts.  I need that, and sometimes I know things don't make sense in my life.  If you think I understand it anymore than you do, then you're reading between the lines.  I just have faith that it makes sense to God and that Jesus is going to lead and I'm going to follow.  Right now, though, as much as it doesn't make sense, this is where I am, and if God is who He says He is (and He is, by the way!), He has the power to change things to suit Him.  So far, this is where I'm at.

It's good to trust God.  I was faced with a little dilemma about how I was going to meet my obligations this payday, and God provided.  It's kind of a rob Peter to pay Paul situation, but it's something I can juggle and pay my bills tomorrow.  Because of the bankruptcy, I have to make sure I pay my house payment the day it's due or before.  And other obligations can't be avoided either.  But some won't come due until a couple of weeks from now, when I'll be in a better situation to deal with them.  What I got was just enough, not too much, and just in time.  The thing was, I wasn't freaked out or worried about it.  I just trusted that the Lord would provide and He did.

I wanted to buy a carburetor kit for my tractor.  it wasn't running right last fall.  Whatever was causing it, and I'm thinkin' bad gas at this point, with fresh gas this year, it's running well again.  I had to run it for a bit a half-choke but after doing that, it ran fine this morning and I got done what I needed to without having to spend money I don't have right now.  Again, a blessing.

Not what I thought I needed, but just what I needed just when I needed it.

And I'm very thankful.

So if I can trust God in these things, shouldn't I trust Him for this one big thing that looms large in my life?  He knows all about it and He's working on it.  He knows I'm willing to follow His will for my life and trust that He has what's best for me in mind.  While right now that might not make the most sense to someone, and sometimes that someone is me, I know that's a promise to count on.  It might just require an adjustment to what that "best" is.

For me, what's best is to remain at Lark Circle for now.  Gardening started today.  Yesterday, I cleaned up doggie bombs and raked the back yard.  My son is bring up his fiance' on Saturday for me to meet.  Good things are happening in my own little Jerusalem.  Better things are coming.  And when they do, just like the thing that happened today, God will bring Glory to Himself through it.

I'm giving Him glory and honor and praise today!