God of all Comfort - Pt. 1

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In the past few years our family has faced a number of challenges, but the last year has proved one of the most difficult so far been comforted by God.

A year ago this week we found out we were pregnant with Meghan. We were a bit surprised as Manny was only three months old and we were planning to wait a while longer before having our fourth. We trusted that God knew what He was doing and looked forward to meeting our new little one in the fall.

The next challenge we faced was Tom's job. Though we knew God had provided it, Tom was growing increasingly uncomfortable with the lack of ethics.  As he refused to cheat people he was moved to other jobs and faced a lack of leadership.  It also began to look like his boss was trying to find a way to get rid of him. Needless to say he began to look for another job, but was not successful.  I was comforted by the fact that God brought Tom the job and that He would bring the right job at the right time, but it was still very hard on Tom and he felt worn down.

The most difficult challenge came in July when I stared having some mild leg pain.  It started on a Monday.  That Thursday I woke up with severe pain in my left leg that only got worse as the day went on.  I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with sciatica but because I was pregnant there was nothing they could do for me.  That night the pain continued to grow so bad that I could barely move.  It would take three weeks before I could get off the couch and three more weeks with physical therapy before I could walk with only mild pain.

My physical challenges were the beginning of the end for Tom's job.  When I first went down with sciatica, Tom told his boss about the situation and he told Tom to take all the time he needed.  We had help from our church and family members, but Tom still had to miss some work.  Eventually his boss began telling him to not come in at all on days I had appointments when Tom could have worked part of the day.  The final straw came when Tom brought my therapy schedule in and his boss said he better find another job.  It was the first time he had been fired, yet he was relieved.

God provided another job for Tom within two weeks.  Unfortunately this job did not work out and after six weeks Tom quit, something he had never done before.  He did not make the decision lightly as he was following the Holy Spirit's leading.  At the time we did not understand why God directed this, but He would reveal the reason over the next few months (details to be included in my next post).

Through each of these circumstances God gave us a peace that passed all understanding.  I never felt extremely anxious, worried, or depressed through these circumstances.  This could only only have been from God because I tend to be a worrier.

The verses at the beginning if this post remind me of the comfort and peace God provides in challenging times.  They also give us a challenge - to encourage others by sharing the comfort God has given us.  This can involve helping someone out, sharing your story of God's faithfulness, or just listening.

Thank you Father for the peace and comfort that you have given our family through this past year!   Give us opportunities to share your comfort with others.