weathering my storm

   I have been gone a long time from posting a blog.  My last post was in April 2015 on Good Friday. Since then much has happened to me.
   The long story made short is.. I sold my business of 8 years, and sold the house I lived in for the last 14 years.  Neither decision came without significant pain involved for both myself and my wife.
   These were stormy times of asking God why, crying to God where are you? These were times of confession, and remorse over mistakes I had made and questioning my value as a man.

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   The details of what led up to these major decisions is not important, but the fact was my wife and I were in the midst of the great storm in our lives.  I felt my prayers were met with silence. This storm not only leveled my material life (job & home), but the waves also wore my spirit down.  My spiritual life was stripped away to the basics as I endured the tempests of my circumstances. Like a modern day Job, I did not curse God, but often sobbed over my lot in life.  I was twisting in the wind.

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   Just 6 weeks removed from the peak of this hurricane I feel entirely different.  While there are still waves as the seas are not yet calm, I feel life gaining order and purpose again.  We downsized to a smaller home in a nearby suburb, and while moving is always a bit of a storm itself I find this home is what we need.  It fits like a glove.. ok a glove that at times is a bit tight, but we really do like it.
   Another great blessing is we found a church that is close to home that we really really like. We have made new friends, and are both part of bible studies. It suits us well as we find fellowship and a desire to be involved and serve. 
   Beyond finding a church, my spiritual life is healing.  I even find it was good to have it stripped raw during the storm, and to get back to the basics free of any previous church and faith baggage leaving my core beliefs intact. 

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   There are still waves in our lives as the details of our past storm still have ripple affects.  Selling my business means.. I AM UNEMPLOYED.  At this point in my life I am not looking to climb any career ladder, but simply pursuing opportunites that fit my current skill set. Somewhere between brain surgeon and envelope licker is a career for me.  :) 

I am prayerful and peaceful in finding a job.   <Insert prayers here>

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   The moral of my story is God's silence sometimes is just what we need to arrive where he wants us to be.  It was important for me to own up to my past, and work hard ( so very hard ) and persevere in every storm as the only alternative is drowning.
   I pray this stormy story encourages those of you who are in a storm.  Remember to pray, and listen to God even when He seems to be silent.  The lessons learned in this silence are priceless.

Blessings

Jeff (bailing water in the Back Pew) Larson

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