Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Today He gave (by Ryan)

The Old Testament prophet Job said:

"... the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21)

Today I signed an offer to work for a very strong company. I have had this verse on my mind a lot because the more I experience life the more I know that the seemingly "good" blessings and the seemingly "bad" setbacks that we encounter in life are all ultimately blessings to us that flow from a loving God.

This job offer is a blessing because:
  • My brother Grant's offer to be his "personal assistant" is no longer a necessary option.
  • I will get to see my newly planted fruit trees and berry bushes grow and produce.
  • My kids got to see another example of how prayers are answered.

The previous job loss was a blessing because:

  • I got to enjoy the kindness of good friends and neighbors. (Thank you)
  • It gave me pause to evaluate where I am and plan for where I want to be.

I am still working on not fearing the setbacks. But in the safe light of today's blessings I am able to see a little bit better where Job was coming from.

29 comments:

G and G Nut said...

We learn a lot from the humility lessons that come to us in life. You truly deserve this blessing!
xoxoxo

katie said...

Love the post. Love that you got a job. Congrats!

Kiley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kiley said...

YAY! So happy to hear this. Congratulations guys. Looks like we'll be seeing you at Christmas Parties and Company BBQS - SO HAPPY!

krista said...

I am happy for you! You will be an asset to the company I am sure. Glad you get to stay put.

Jenna said...

Congratulations!

Lauren in GA said...

That is so wonderful! Many, many congratulations.

Thank you for this post and for your example.

Adrianne said...

YEAH!! Congratulations. Although I was really hoping this would be your impetus to move to Arizona, I prefer for you to be gainfully employed so Jessica can get her hair done by the girl she likes and take trips to California. Oh, and of course so the family can eat and stuff like that.

Ilene said...

YAY! I'm excited for answered prayers!

Now, it is time to pray that you can keep this job for at least two years. Seriously, I think you and your family have learned all the lessons you can out of job losses.

Abbie said...

Congratulations! Very happy for you. As we say in the White family: Big, fat blessing left and right.

So...does this mean you're coming to NYC in October?

the wrath of khandrea said...

TAKE IT TA CHURCH, BROTHA! CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!

great stuff. congratulations on the job and the spritual enlightenment. i'm really happy for you and the fam.

Laurie said...

Congratulations! And I'm with Adrianne--you'd better schedule Jessica's hair appointment ASAP.

Shirley said...

Hooray for you and your family! So glad you are able to stay in that amazing Liberty Lake. If we had to move for some crazy reason, we would do everything possible to move back there! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Nurse Graham said...

Congratulations. That is terrific news.

Tristan said...

That is just awesome news! So happy for you guys that it all worked out so well!

zeeny said...

Congrats on the new job. Love the perspective on trials

Unknown said...

What a great example you and your family are. I appreciate your outlook. That scripture might be my new favorite for a while!

I'm really happy for your family. You deserve nothing but the best.

I totally get the tree thing. It's so hard to leave beauty that you have created and want to enjoy.

♥Shally said...

That's great news!!

Cami said...

Great news.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

bloggingchristy said...

Will you guys get out of Spokane already? Even though Jessica sounded open to moving, I don't think she was really ready for it! It's just the selfish part of me that wants you guys closer. Maybe that's my lesson!

On a more positive note, Congrats! I'm glad you guys are happy and you don't have to move!

Paige said...

Ryan thank you so much for the update. It's fantastic news even though I was working hard here to get to an awesome job so you could live next door and we could take the fence down between our houses!

Erika said...

So then Canada is out of the running? Congrats - and whew! can't wait to hear Jessicas take

J'net said...

Does this mean you are NOT moving to Hawaii?!?!
That WAS a good suggestion... because moving over there is like going thru the eye of a needle, another lesson of discipline and don't worry about watching trees grow there, they grow FRUIT all year around!!
Enough fruit to make the land of milk and honey seem "hungry!"
Well, really happy for you to join the "working" class again and PROVE that this recession is ONLY on paper!?!? Prayers answered!
Except for those people who were praying you were going to MOVE back to UT...! Aloha

Nancy said...

I'm so happy for you guys that I'm crying!! I've been thinking about you both and praying for you. You both deserve so much, and I'm so pleased that the Lord has blessed you in so many ways, both through trials and the times of plenty.

jessica said...

Heavenly Father knew that he couldn't take you away from us because we are always in crisis and need of blessings or food. So as much as you think this is an answer to your prayers it is actually an answer to ours...

Sally said...

Congratulations to all of you! I am so glad for you that you can stay there. Ryan, I hope you will love your new job.

Jake said...

Yay! So glad to read this. Is the East Coast trip this fall still on? Can we hang out?

Congrats!!

elizabeth scott said...

I can tell my kids that their prayers were answered. They've been saying lots of prayers for you too.
So happy you don't have to be Grant's personal assistant. He is kind of tight with his money so I'm guessing the pay would not be as good as the job you just got!

Tammy said...

Congrats Ryan. Even after reading the scary and horrible news of a lay off with a big family like yours, in a down economy...I knew that you would get another job, and it would work out well. Why? Because you are both so faithful, and good things will always happen to your family. As much as I was worried for you, I knew it would work out. Congrats, I am relieved to hear that you have good news