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Saturday, January 21, 2012

When It's Time

I want to share a lesson that I thought I'd learned before, but evidently I had mere head knowledge that had not become heart knowledge.  Always believing that God is a Father who wants good things for His children, I have never questioned that He would work things out for good in my life.  Even when I have made wrong choices or someone else has wronged me, I knew, if I kept my heart pure and had faith, He would somehow make things right.

This past year was a tough one for my family after I lost my job.  I was able to spend a lot of time in fellowship with the Lord, get a lot of writing finished and spend time on my photography and note cards.  But our finances suffered horribly.  There were some pretty bleak times in the Patrick household.  But I never doubted that I would find the right job.

I took advantage of every avenue I knew of to look for work. Company after company would approach me on LinkedIn and other sites to say they were interested in me.  I would send off my resume, go in for interviews and be told that I was a great candidate for the job.  Then, I would get that email or phone call, telling me that they were "going" with someone else. They were never able to tell my why they weren't hiring me.

I began to question God in His timing.  "Lord, you know we're drowning in a mountain of debt here. I'm trying so hard to find employment.  Why aren't you opening doors for me?  Why aren't I finding favor with these companies who are seeking me out?"  I struggled with bitterness and anger.  I couldn't understand why we were having to wait so long for His blessing.  If I only knew what I was doing wrong, I would change it...quickly.

Once again, I learned my lesson and this time, it sunk down in my heart.  A chain of seemingly random events began, starting last summer.  I met this person here; they introduced me to that person there; who started hanging out with friends that I hang out with, and sure enough, everything came together, without me even having a hand in it.  I have been offered a position with a wonderful company that is far and above any of those other jobs that I so desperately hoped for.  God's timing...He had to work out all the details.  He had to nudge each person in the chain of events, to play their part in bringing this opportunity across my path.  That's why, Dear One, it's so important to be open to the leading of the Lord.  He may want to use you to bless someone else and if you're not paying attention, you could miss the opportunity to be a blessing.

I can see, now, that God was watching over me and He knew that better things were ahead.  I had only to lean on Him to see me through those tough times.  I'm so grateful for each person who played a role in this six month period of events that led me to the place I am now!  I'm thankful for God's timing and His grace.  If you are waiting on a blessing, take heart and know that He is aware of your circumstances and He will watch over you to perform His word!




From His Lap,

37 comments:

  1. Hi Erin:)
    Congratulations on your new beginning! I am encouraged by your story...it can be hard to keep faith when prayers seem to go unanswered. Especially with debt accumulating & spending being cut. That's so neat how your opportunity came through friendships. All of my long term "jobs" seem to come through my personal connections. I have been blessed to mostly be a stay or work at home mom with one or 2 days a week waiting tables at a cafe that feels like home to me. Our family needs more income, & I trust that God will work this out for us. Do far, we have had all of our needs & even wants taken care of, and it seems miraculous on the little bit of money we bring in. Thanks for showing us your miracle or blessing & reminding us that more are on the way!

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  2. Erin, my beautiful sister in Christ. I love you so much and I'm so so happy for you. I believe God also orchestrated the special bond of friendship you and I have come to enjoy with one another. You and your nuggets of truth have been such an enormous blessing and inspiration to me. I can't wait to see what other awesome blessings God has in store for you!
    Hugs,
    Rosann

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  3. Oh, Erin, I am so happy about the job and that you waited God's timing. You are so right. Waiting and leaning on the Lord is the best thing we can do in any situation. Enjoy! :D

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  4. Congratulations, Erin! And thank you for sharing these perfectly shaped thoughts. We all need reminders of how to hold onto faith and hope.

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  5. i'm so happy for you, erin! congratulations!
    you have such a positive outlook. it's so true...time leads us to good and great things. and teaches us such amazing lessons.
    patience is such a gift.
    and you certainly have it.
    i wish you beautiful things ahead <3
    xoxoxo
    maria

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  6. Congratulations Erin; God is faithful! :)

    When we place all of our trust in Him and make ourselves available to Him in every situation, He will work things out in our lives. Then we can look back and reflect on God's perfect timing and be encouraged by the outcome to all of our needs and desires.

    Blessings and hugs!
    Denise

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  7. Congratulations, Erin! It's a great reminder to trust in God and whatever he has planned for us.

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  8. Perfect timing on this post for me. This is exactly what I needed to hear, Erin. Thank you for being part of my chain. :)

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  9. Suzanne,
    If you stay close to Him and listen for His voice, He will surely lead you on the right path for finding that extra income. I'm excited to see what He does in your life! Thank you so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  10. Rosann,
    He most assuredly has brought us together for a reason. We have encouraged each other through some pretty rough times and you are a great friend. I'm so excited about your husband's new job. Your family is abundantly blessed.
    I love you!
    ~Erin

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  11. Lynn,
    The waiting and leaning part wasn't always pretty, but I knew God held me in the palm of His hand. I'm so happy about where He's taking me. He's not finished with me yet.
    Thank you so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  12. Shaunda,
    Yes, we do all need those reminders and my blogging community was awesome at reminding me of God's faithfulness and grace. Thanks for visiting here!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  13. Thank you, Maria. I don't think I even know yet, where God is taking me. I feel as though this is just the first step of an incredible journey!
    Love you, sister!
    ~Erin

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  14. Yes and amen, Denise!!! I made my own special prayer room to go to and spend time with Him this past year. It enabled me to stay close to Him and listen for His direction.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  15. Anne,
    You are right. We must always trust in His plans for us! When it seems hard to do so, it's always best to get right up in His lap and stay there!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  16. Kellianne,
    I'm so glad this post blessed you. Never forget that God has a dream for you and He won't forget about it. He will see that you walk it out!
    You are such a blessing to me!
    ~Erin

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  17. Erin,
    Isn't it wonderful how GOD'S time is always the right time? It's good HE doesn't always give us what we ask for.
    Congratulations on just the right job!
    GOD is good! Blessings...Chelle

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  18. Dear Erin, what a blessing that you are now where you were praying for. Awesome. Thank God that He blessed you with a new job and are able to work again. Blessings to you :) It's always so good to come on over and read your inspiring thoughts. That's why I wanted to pass on the Versatile and Cherry on Top Awards because you sure deserve that cherry on top, for sure :)

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  19. Yes faith muscles for many have been tested this past year.

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  20. Chelle,
    It IS wonderful and I'm so glad I waited for God's timing!
    Hugs, sister!
    ~Erin

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  21. Barbara,
    Thank you so much for honoring me with the Versatile and Cherry on Top Award. It means so much that my posts bless you! Thank you for stopping by!
    xoxo,
    ~Erin

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  22. Michele,
    Yes, those faith muscles got awefully strained and sore last year...but they're much stronger now!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  23. Congratulations! I like your post and blog! I'm following your Blog for FB, Google + & GFC! I hope your visit! Have a great Week!

    Namaste

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  24. thank you for this Erin. I am in a period of waiting on God's blessing. It seems a long wait! However, the pendulum is beginning to swing. congratulations on your new opportunities and the blessings!

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  25. Yiselle,
    Thank you so much! I'm so honored that you stopped by. I will visit your blog!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  26. Oh, Shanda!
    I know just what you mean, sister! I continue to pray for you and wish God's greatest blessings on you.
    xo,
    ~Erin

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  27. Wonderful post. God is always on time isn't He? Blessings & Hugs, Cindy

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  28. God has so richly used you while you waited! I have had a similar chain of events unfold in my life that has caused me to remember my Hope truly comes from the Lord! I had 2 failed job interviews that seemed to be the "one" in my mind each time. I am going for an interview tomorrow at a place I never suspected and is everything I initially asked for. My book business has picked up so greatly that I am now nervous that I will not be able to work on anything else! God is good! But there were moments I would loose sight of my heart knowledge of that! Thanks for sharing and best of His blessings to you all in 2012!

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  29. Erin, isn't it amazing how difficult it can be to dwell with God and just be content waiting? True faith is when I dare to believe the good before I see it.

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  30. Thomasina,
    I hope that your job interview went well. You are such an amazing person. I'm so happy that your book business is booming! I pray that the Lord gives you all the time you need to do everything that you have in your heart to do!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  31. Shannon,
    That's awesome..."dare to believe the good before I see it." Thanks for your nugget of truth. You are such a blessing.
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  32. Erin, I'm glad to hear of God's plan unfolding so beautifully for you. It's hard on the waiting side of things to be trusting and patient. I needed that reminder tonight that God has good planned, not harm, and that he is faithful to his promises!

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  33. So incredible how perfect God's timing is. Rejoicing with you that he is revealing His plan in His timing.

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  34. Beck,
    He has surely blessed me and I have learned to wait on Him to see the glory He will reveal to me in His time!
    xo,
    ~Erin

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  35. Susan,
    Thank you for rejoicing with me. It has been a long time coming and I'm so grateful for how He has blessed me!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  36. Hi Erin--

    Jordan Burg here. Hi!
    I loved this entry...this is almost exactly what I went through last year, and it's incredible to look back and see God's hand in it. Especially when, while it was happening, we were clueless!

    Loved it, thanks for the encouragement. Jordan

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  37. Jordan,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! I'm so glad to know you and work with you. Who knew the Lord would bring kindred sisters together who could encourage and uplift each other!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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