Okay, I will need to back up about 30 hours before we get to the "funny thing". Chief performed a wedding yesterday. It was BEAUTIFUL! The Bride was BEAUTIFUL. The Groom was BEAUTIFUL. Seriously, everything was BEAUTIFUL! The weather was beyond beautiful...a sunny, slightly breezy 81 degrees, and it's OCTOBER in Wisconsin! The ceremony was touching and sweet (Chief did a FANTASTIC job), the two hours between the wedding and the dinner literally flew by (great appetizers helped a lot), the food was scrumptious and the cake...MMMMMMMMMMM. We talked with some old friends and we were so encouraged all day. It was a JOY. We got to spend part of the day with my Mom, Rachigga and Knight in Shining Armor and with Photomom, seeing as she was the PHOTOGRAPHER for the day! (So proud of her, by the way.)
Anyway, we left feeling a little tired but, encouraged and loved. And excited about a couple of things. Seriously.
Then we got home. A message from one of Chief's co-workers who was also let go of his position, had left a message on the answering machine. Chief called him. Bad news. According to the Labor Board, the Contractor was not being held responsible for letting them go. Probably not going to get that job back. Then MORE bad news...he checked on his resume for the Government Sevice position, and there, in the bottom right hand corner "After reviewing your resume, you are not qualified for this position."
Excuse me...WHAT?? NOT QUALIFIED to do the EXACT same job he had been doing the last 12 years? REALLY!?!? I just turned and went upstairs to do something mind numbing, like play cards on the computer. It didn't work. Chief came up shortly after, but was tired, and after a few minutes, went to bed. We really didn't say anything to one another at all. Just some sighs...in a very quiet room. I cried for 30 minutes in the bathroom.
At about 3:00 a.m. I woke up and noticed I was alone, and started to pray for Chief. He was up working on his resume. He finally came to bed about 30 minutes later...he had been up since two.
So...morning comes. (I know...I'm getting to it!) Tired and spent, we ready ourselves, get in the car and we're off to church. We had not talked about the night before yet, and I knew that as soon as I did, I would cry and I really HATE crying, especially in front of Chief. So...I am quietly praying, "Lord, please help me to not be bitter or selfish. I do not want to jeopardize what you have for us by being stubborn and bitter."
Literally, two blocks from home...the trees. Oh my goodness; those trees. Bright yellow and reddish purple...Autumn is my MOST favorite time of year...the colors were just brilliant. And I had noticed it the day before when we were leaving for that BEAUTIFUL wedding, how beautiful and brilliant the colors were. To me, it was just breathtaking...the colors in the early morning coolness, the sun having only peeked over the horizon about one hour prior. A stop sign...we turn the corner, and I hear the faintest whisper.
"I did this just for you today."
I smiled a little, and I even breathed a tiny "thank-you"...but then quickly dismissed it. We talked about the night before, I cried and apologized because I was sounding bitter..and not just about the loss of his job or the foolishness of those words written on the computer...but because of some things we had done throughout the past couple of years...were we being punished for being so careless?
Fast forward to 20 minutes ago. Mourning the loss of our beloved Packers :~), I came up to the computer to "play a game" to check my FB...blah, blah, blah. Another whisper.
"You know I spoke to you this morning."
So, here I am. As selfish as this sounds, He painted those trees just for me today. And Chief's sermon? Yeah...that was just for me, too. Our God is AMAZING. And I believe I am using that word in the correct light (yes, BFF?) and He is Beautiful and loving and He loves me and wants me to follow His direction, whatever that may be. So, I will...
"Yes, Lord, I'm listening...I'm here."
