Dear Ones,
Have much to do and almost skipped out on my Morning Pages, my quiet time and writing a blog post for today.So glad I didn’t. Two dear friends host link-ups on Thursdays on their individual blogs. Rebecca Jo from Knit By God’s Hand posts Thankful Thursday and Penny at Penny’s Passion does Thinking Out Loud Thursday. I wanted to participate in both but have house cleaning, ironing, yard work to do. And my Prince is coming home earlier every day since his job is going away. Once he is home, it’s hard to get anything done.
Thinking Out Loud Thursday 07.2019
So, I almost skipped quiet time so I could quick, quick write a blog post – thinking out loud about how nervous and worried I am about PC’s job situation. Running with negative thoughts about the ‘what ifs’…
- What if he isn’t offered a job in El Paso?
- What if he has to accept a job up to 400 miles away?
- What if a job doesn’t come along, and his paycheck comes to an end from this position that is moving away?
- What if he turns down a job offered him from the Priority Placement List, and then he is unemployed?
- What if we have to start working for minimum wage at the corner store?
I thought about the message at church, Abundant Living Faith Center, on Sunday about family matters. Specifically, that day, about how:
- Money is the #1 cause of divorce
- Money is the #1 issue couples fight about
- 50% of married couples don’t talk about finances
- 84% of those married hide purchases
- The average American household makes $61,000 – making money isn’t the issue in a lot of marriages
- 75% of Americans are 6 months away from being homeless
[source]
[source]
Began Questioning…Why?
Why would God ‘let’ Francisco find a job here, the kids find a home and be able to move to El Paso to be near us only to have PC’s job move to the east coast?
That was what I was thinking to myself and planning to share for Thinking Out Loud Thursday. But thankfully, my devotional called out to me. My new quiet time book Renewing the Mind, 2.0 by Casey and Wendy Treat was not content to be ignored. It practically begged to be read. So glad I reluctantly took the time. Before I started reading, I even looked to see how long chapter 3 was – and, sorry God, rolled my eyes because it was 13 pages long! And I didn’t want to read that much, how can I call myself a – retired – librarian?
Your Thinking Determines Your Lifestyle
Girls, I am so glad I read today!! Chapter 3 is entitled “Your Thinking Determines Your Lifestyle”. The authors talk about how one thought can niggle its way into your brain and become all encompassing. My thoughts and worries about money and job loss were doing just that this morning. They had set my mood for today from the moment my feet hit the carpet this a.m. Like a cloud of darkness permeating our bedroom, our home, our relationship.
Then I started reading – ignoring my cell phone that was blowing up with texts from 3 friends and 1 daughter and with videos from the other daughter.
Where Are My Negative Thoughts Coming From?
The Treats encourage readers to examine where their negative thoughts are coming from. PC and I have been in this identical position before where his job moved away and he had to find a new one. But everything turned out okay then. His job went away and almost immediately, another job came available.
Instead of focusing on the ‘what-ifs?’ that have no historical credibility, I need to focus on what did happen last time. God didn’t ‘let us down’ then and He will walk with us through whatever is coming up on our path this time.
The authors explain that whatever thought you continually process becomes a belief. Which explains how abused women and children can become so brainwashed about their own worth. They point to the Bible, Philippians 4:8 where Paul says we are to:
Focus on things that are true, honest, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praise-worthy.
God has seen us through before. He will hold us up through this period, too. Lauren, Francisco and Lucia are coming to El Paso for a reason. Our families will grow closer than ever.
When Lauren Was a Little Girl…
she would say she was going to buy the house right next door to our little house where she and Brennyn grew up. Then she planned to dig a tunnel between the house so we could always be together. In truth, the 2 houses were so close together we could almost open our dining room window and touch the house next door! No tunnel needed!
And here that dream is coming true.
Instead of filling my head with destructive, negative thoughts, ruminating that “I knew this was going to happen…the worst always does,” I need to reflect on how we, how I have always come through okay. As Wendy Treat says:
If you renew your mind, you can renew your life.
If you can change a thought, you can change your life.
For those times when craziness has befallen our lives, our family, we have managed to survive, to rise above, to learn from the the crazy times. And have even had some good laughs at the stories we’ve been able to tell.
Thankful Thursday
Here are some of the things I have been thankful for lately. You can read my last Thankful Thursday post, here. In that post, I also spoke about ways I am finding moments of peace in my life each day. My quiet time outside is still my favorite way to enjoy peace.
Thankful for:
- Time spent playing with Lucia in her yard.
- My sister’s visit with my granddaughter Cady.
- Beautiful mornings on the patio.
- Mom sounds chipper.
- Getting excited about writing library lessons again.
- Finding a good daycare for Lucia – and that the kids trust my judgement.
- Lauren’s baby is healthy and a LITTLE GIRL!!
- Good photo ops at the Socorro Mission.
- Patriotic songs.
- PC’s and my brother Kevin’s patriotism.
- Our country.
- The pain in my leg is better lately.
- Church services on family matters.
- Good workouts, bike rides and reaching my Weight Watchers lifetime goal weight.
- Wonderful date to celebrate our anniversary.
- Brennyn is teaching Cady how to cook.
Your Turn
What are you thankful for lately? Would love to have you share in a comment below. Then come along with me to visit Penny and Rebecca Jo’s Thursday posts, won’t you?
Tomorrow Lauren and Lucia arrive to begin life in El Paso. Francisco is driving the U-Haul down on Saturday. It will be a happily busy weekend for us as we help the kids settle into their new home. Francisco will have to return to work in Albuquerque for a few months longer before he can join his girls in El Paso.
Even with taking time to read all of Chapter 3 in my devotional and coloring a page in my journaling Bible, I still got the house clean, the yard cut, the ironing done, and the laundry washed and put away. So glad I took the time. Thankful that YOU took some time to be here with me today!
Hugs and kisses,
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
You know… I was recently at a blog event (the one where I got to meet Jodie) and Penny from Penny’s Passion was there! It’s great you mentioned her today, because I lost her business card she gave me and I am following her on IG, but now I’ll make it a point to stop by her blog. She’s very close to me in St. Louis. Gosh, you have a lot on your chest right now and it is crazy if you’d have to move after your daughter moves back to El Paso. That is tough. Life is never about certainty though, you can count on it to be unpredictable more than anything. It’s like those lyrics, you have to roll with the punches… I wish you all the best and yes keep thinking positively, it’ll help so much. And I’m glad to hear your Momma is doing good!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, always, for the sweet support in your messages. Was so jealous that you met Kellyann and now Jodie and Penny??? Wow!! The trifecta. And how blessed they are to have met you. No one blogs near El Paso!!
Trying to keep the faith and be optimistic about the future. After yesterday’s shootings in EP, it isn’t hard to be grateful. We are so blessed, for fortunate. So many others are struggling with unbelievable tragedy tonight.
Deb
When life gives us a mix of good and bad things going on, it’s weird how we tend to dwell on the bad isn’t it? I am so happy to see that scan photo of baby Camila – you must all be very relieved. Our next grand-baby was due on Wednesday and still shows no signs of making an appearance!
I am hoping that a job opportunity comes along in the area in which you live, it must be horrible having that uncertainty hanging over you. At least having your girls needing help settling in their new home will keep you busy with nice things. This post is a great example of how we need to concentrate on what we have to be thankful for in the midst of everything else – have a great weekend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Congratulations on the birth of your grandson. He is spectacular and so are you, holding him. We are so relieved each day that Lauren’s pregnancy moves forward. I was able to hear Camila heartbeat last week. And that was a little miracle. Can’t wait to feel a kick!
We are trying to stay focused and positive. The shooting yesterday in El Paso really brought to the forefront what is most important in this life. We will figure out the job thing. Just thankful we are safe.
Daenel T.
I think we all cycle through the “what ifs…”, especially when one bad thing happens because – oh my word – does it ever seem like that “one thing” spirals into many. As I tell The Hubs, faith doesn’t promise us that life will be easy, it guarantees that we will make it through.
I’m thankful for friends who allowed me to grieve the loss of Squeekerz and who shared their memories with me.
Em
Uncertainty can be such a daunting challenge…and a great opportunity. But few of us only appreciate the opportunity in hindsight (when it all works out), bc our foresight is clouded with worry.
How rarely does life lay things out so tidily that we don’t have to be concerned with unexpected change.
Not sure anyone would choose that path, but when 🤞🏻it all works out in the end sometimes things are even better than they were before… Hope that is the case with your family, Leslie!
Xoxo
Leslie Roberts Clingan
My beautiful friend, thank you. We are remaining hopeful and semi-calm at this point. I am going to be helping with Lucia and hopefully teaching some online which should give us some extra money to set aside in case times get lean. And we will get by with the love of our friends.
cindi
Your negative thoughts come from the devil. He knows that great and wonderful things are going to be coming your way but he just wants you to mess up and miss the opportunity. Don’t fall for it. Keep your eye AND you faith and belief on the Lord and toss your fears away. God will never fail you.
I can’t tell you how many times my husband lost his job. Once he was out of work for 2.5 years. But God ALWAYS provided. We still haven’t missed a meal yet! Everything has a reason. I suppose hubby and I had to learn a few things while he was unemployed.
But just to let you know how God never fails you, there was a time when hubs and I had NO money during his unemployment. NOTHING!! As we were walking into our house, there was a man painting the house next door to us. For no apparent reason, he asked if we would sell our wicker furniture on our back deck. I was shocked. The wicker wasn’t for sale nor did I ever advertise it nor discuss it. But the wicker set was a bit dated. The painter called out to me and said he would give me $50 cash for my set. I told him “SOLD”. That was enough money, at the time, to buy food and put gas in the car. That was a direct gift from God. No doubt in my mind.
As I said, God takes care of us and we should NOT worry. Do the birds and lillies worry where their next meal is coming from? Doesn’t God provide for them? Then surely He will provide for us.
Go with the flow.
Enjoy the ride.
You are in God’s hands and He is going to take you on an adventure. He is going to bring you to new heights. You are going to learn and experience new things. And I betcha when you husband gets a new job, you guys are going to start saving, saving, saving so you never have to worry about a job loss ever again!
Best of luck.
Keep us posted.
So excited to hear about your next step in life!
Keep the faith!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
OH, CINDI!! Thank you for this very touching message. Keeping the faith over here, thanks to God and with help from friends like you. I have a similar story about money appearing out of the blue when I needed it most. Maybe we should write those stories up into blog posts? Might inspire someone else to hold on a little longer, and to know that good things are coming. Thank you.
Penny Struebig
This was a great read for me today! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Isn’t it funny how we can let our mind totally go in places of negativity and doubt. I tend to do that far too much. Glad you took the time to read your devotional today – it seems like it was the perfect message for you! And CONGRATS on the future baby girl!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Penny, my mind would run away with worry if I didn’t try to reel it in. During my devotional time, I seem to be able to get a grip and prepare for the difficulties of the day. But I also take time for gratitude. Have been off my devotional time lately and miss it terribly. Tomorrow I plan to get back at it. Thank you for the congratulations for our new baby-to-be Camila.
Kellyann Rohr
I grew up with a mother who always worried and always thought the worst would happen. Once I realized this I worked extra hard to combat that negativity. It helped that I studied psychology, lol. My husband tends to do it too so I feel like a cheerleader all the time. I am so glad you heard what you did at church and that you read chapter 3 – all 13 pages of it, hahahaha!!!
I am s happy that your daughter will be so close! When my youngest was little he said he was going to buy the house next door for his wife to live in and he was going to live with me – ha!!!! We still enjoy laughing about that.
Have the very best day my friend!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, how sweet that your son wanted to live with you and have his wife live in a house next door. Lauren is settled in here in El Paso but has a lot of unpacking still to do. Her hubs came home this weekend so they were able to get more done. I am helping with Lucia in the mornings to give Lauren a little break while she and Francisco are apart. My mom was/is a huge worrier. I do pretty well in the worrying department, myself, but have been trying hard to be more optimistic.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Leslie, hoping everything works out for the best…and most of the time it does. The what ifs can really get us down but we just have to hang in there and hold on, easier said than done sometimes.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Dee, for a being a dear friend during the last few months. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
Laurie
“Your Thinking Determines Your Lifestyle” sounds like a chapter I should read. I get stuck on the “what ifs” sometimes too. Posting your family photos – along with the beautiful ultrasound!!! – is a great way to practice gratitude. (And so glad I managed to find your blog!)
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thrilled to make your acquaintance. Heading over to visit your blog shortly. Hope you will be back to say hello again soon. I am a great ‘what-iffer’ but come by it naturally. Trying very hard to remain positive during this difficult time. Our difficulties are nothing compared to those faced by our fellow El Pasoans who were victims of the shooting yesterday. When you think about what matters most in life, your perspective often adjusts. Thank you for finding me! And for reading and commenting.
Amy Johnson
Well, that would be ironic that your kids moved home and then you have to move away. I pray it doesn’t come to that. You are handling the situation beautifully. I love your Bible Journaling pages!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, my inspirational friend. Thought of you today during church, and as I opened my journaling Bible and came to a page I had done. Thought of the beautiful pages you create and how you are an encouragement to others. Praying we can stay in El Paso!!