When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan: Guest Post by Author Lisa Jordan
My novel, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about accomplishing plans … or wishes coming true … or something more?
Today’s post is the sixth in the “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” Wednesday blog series, 11 guest posts by authors and writers, including Deborah Raney, Rachel Hauck, and Susan May Warren, who explore the question: What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Today’s post is by my friend, award-winning author Lisa Jordan.
In 1998, I took a leap of faith and left a steady job with benefits to open my state-registered in-home childcare program. Hubby was in school at the time, so I relied on God to help us meet our needs.
I drove home the morning after my final day at work, praying and reminding God I was stepping out in faith and expecting Him to catch me.
That same morning Hubby received a call for a job interview. He worked there for 10 years on second shift until he received a promotion for a salaried position that would take him to first shift.
After he went to days, I drove home from someplace and asked God to protect Hubby during the transitions in his company—they started laying off production workers, but we knew Hubby’s position was safe.
In January 2009, a couple of months after his promotion, Hubby came home early with a look on his face that has been imprinted forever in my memory.
His position had been eliminated due to economic downsizing. Again, Hubby was unemployed.
Oh, God, what have you done?
2009 became the Year of Change. I graduated from college with my degree in early childhood education in May. Our oldest son graduated high school in June and left the nest to begin his college career in August. I finaled in ACFW’s Genesis contest, which opened the door to my publishing career—I received a full request from my dream agent and my dream publisher.
But I also went through a period of shaky faith. God put me on hold. I was invisible to Him. He deserted me.
God, why did you allow this to happen? Don’t you remember what happened the last time Hubby lost his job? Do you really want a repeat of that? I can’t risk our marriage again.
Panic and fear of repeating past mistakes crashed over me.
Hubby worked a couple of part-time jobs, but found nothing permanent. Hubby had the opportunity to return to school and graduated in June 2011, but still struggled to find a job. He had first interviews. And second interviews. But no offers.
On June 29, 2012, Hubby received a job offer for a company 45 minutes away. Two days after he started, we received full medical, dental and vision benefits.
The same day Hubby received his job offer, I received a call from Mindy Obenhaus telling me Lakeside Reunion, my debut novel, had finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards.
Though we had gone through a season of winter emotionally and spiritually, God’s promises of spring and renewal came via prayer and encouragement from family and friends. He used that time to kick off my publishing career. My debut novel released in November 2011, and my second released less than a year later.
As we relied on my childcare business as our primary source of income, we managed to pay off 2 car loans, credit card debt and a home equity loan. Money was tight, but God remained faithful in His provision and His promises.
As the spiritual snow melted and crocuses of hope poked through to remind me of God’s promises His whispers of “Lisa, I’ve got this. Trust me.” thawed my frozen heart. His plans for me…for us…promise a hope and a future. We need to trust God before the thaw.
What helps you trust God before the thaw?
Author Lisa Jordan talks about trusting God before the thaw Click to Tweet
God’s Promises: From shaky faith to trust Click to Tweet
Rafflecopter Giveaway for When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan Goodie Basket Click to Tweet
Married over 20 years to her real-life hero, Lisa Jordan knows a thing or two about romance. She and her husband have two college-age sons. By day, Lisa cares for her Little Darlings in her state-registered childcare program. By night, she writes contemporary Christian romances for Love Inspired. Her debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, won the 2012 Carol Award for short contemporary romance. In her free time, she loves good books, romantic comedies, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. Connect with her at LisaJordanBooks.
