Laundry Makes Me Laugh

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:31-32 KJV

Don't Worry, Friend:

We tend to wonder whether God really cares about us. We tend to ask whether He knows what our needs are. We are concerned about having enough food and clothes. 

But as do the MOUNTAIN of laundry for my daughters... I am reminded of the journey they took to come to me....

Before we had any children, God set the path for my parents to purchase a storage unit through an auction. You can't go into them and explore, you can only stand from the door.... and guess the contents inside and afterwards place your bid. 

In this special storage unit, my parents won...... baby girl clothes from newborn up to 24 MONTHS. There was everything from the basics like onesies to specialties like winter coats and dresses. All clean nice clothes, some even still with tags, that filled up 18 white trash bags!!! Yes, there was that MUCH CLOTHES. I have pictures to prove it.

By Faith:

When we found out we were pregnant with our eldest, we chose not to find out the gender. Yes, we had a girl: Alena! Then the next year, I got pregnant again. We chose not to find out, this time we almost gave away all the clothes to a needy single mom, but God closed that door. We had another girl, Kenni! Then the third year, we had baby Esther! 

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Psa 118:8

God knew we would have daughters..... and had prepared/provided for their needs before they were born! There are clothes that each child has worn that the previous have not! Now I know why He gave me so much baby girl clothes... It was to spoil not one, not two, but three little girls! 

O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. Psa 92:5 KJV

So.... whenever I do laundry now, I laugh! ;) What an awesome God I serve!

A Big Change

Today we celebrate one week of living in our new duplex. We waited for two years for God to provide for and give us more space. It was difficult to live in our tiny apartment, but we also learned some valuable maintenance and organizing skills there. ;) We learned to be patient for the Lord's timing.

This past April, God opened the door for us to live in a spacious two bedroom duplex (2.5x bigger) in a nice neighborhood. He even provided my Bible reading area with a gorgeous view of the ocean! :D

How to Handle a Big Change:

What change might you be going through? Did you recently become a stay-at-home mom? Did you have a career change? Did you recently get married? Are you going through a break-up? Did you move? Are you graduating this year?

#1 Give yourself time to adjust

Every (big) change that we go through takes lots of patience and time to adjust. Changes are apart of life.  You will not have everything figured out from the start. That's okay. It's normal. Sometimes we need time to heal and recovery. Give yourself a break.

#2 Be forgiving of yourself and others

Mistakes may come with (big) changes. Emotions arise. Anger, frustration, hurt... sadness, pain. Breathe, my friend. Pray. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. They are going through the new change too. Be kind to them. 

#3 Find the positives/good things

Laugh for a moment. Smile. See the good around you. Be grateful for all your blessings. Name them one by one. There is something good in every change you go through. Find those! (Pro. 15:15)

#4 Seek support from others

Humble yourself and call/text a friend. (Gal. 6:2) Don't go through this change alone. Maybe they can help you. They can pray, they can provide relief or a break, they can listen... Let them. :)

#5 Learn from it/Grow through it

What did you learn from this change? How can you apply it in the future? Grow and mature in The Lord. Gain wisdom and understanding through this change.

#6 Lean on the LORD

Most importantly, pray and trust God. He knows what is best. Lean on Him. He is your best friend. He loves you and wants you to depend on Him. He can be your strength. (Neh 7:9) He can give you the relief you need.

2 Samuel 22:31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." 

 

View from the Back Door. :)