Monday, September 19, 2011

An Open Letter/Prayer...

I will address this to the Heavenly Father, because when I was praying daily a few years ago, He is who I addressed.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Perhaps it isn't often enough that these thoughts are expressed to You, I feel it is necessary today, given the great blessing You've placed upon our families recently. Upon the completion of reading this article, I find it pertinent that we thank You (we, being me and Frank). I know all too well the struggles of losing a job, dealing with unemployment, and wondering how I would put food in my stomach to nourish not only my body, but also my soul.

Last summer, You blessed us both with great new jobs. I garnered a job in my field that has finally allowed me to use the skills You've so graciously blessed me with. I remain happy and pleased with this position, even though I'm sure You've placed a few obstacles in my path just to see how I would react, learn, and grow from such trials. I am now acknowledging this, and thanking You for your efforts to teach me new things about myself every day.

Frank was also blessed with a new job, one that would help us provide for one another as You would want us to. But the obstacles You so graciously placed in his path were, perhaps, a bit too challenging for him. Being the gracious Father that You are, You closed that door for him, but not before opening another. Today Frank began a new job, a position which I am sure he will be able to grow with and utilize the gifts You gave him.

I find it pertinent that we thank You because, well, You know, we haven't always placed you at the forefront of our lives. I know there have been plenty of times where You have been nearly absent from our minds, but the moment we need something to go our way, we ask You for help.

But now, You've helped us in ways far beyond my expectations, and rather than asking You for something, I just want to thank You. Nothing more, nothing less. You've provided for us so that we could provide for each other. It is a great feeling, for once, to know that we don't have to scrape by at the beginning of the month to pay the rent and the bills. We will be just fine when the rent and bills are due. When the holiday and birthday celebrations continue, we can be there to support each other, and our families.

You've blessed us both with wonderful families, and each of our families has welcomed the other with open arms, just as You welcomed us into this world. You gave us life so we could live it, and for this, we thank You.

I am ever-so gracious, and when my name is called, I will bow before You, because with out the guidance my grandmother always told me You'd provide, I'm not sure where I would have ended up. And so, once again, I say to You, Thank You. You know how much these blessings mean to us, as You're the one who sees our needs, wants, and struggles, and You're the one that eventually guides us home.

As You know, I've always said, this isn't our home, I'm just along for the ride. To quote a very intelligent woman, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'" - Erma Bombeck

Absolutely,
Lauren