Forget Thug Life; Try a Job Life

I really want to share some good news.

I just don’t have any.

It’s during these times I truly struggle to blog and share our lives. I don’t want my attempts at practising authenticity to turn into a free fall of whining. 

But really?

The past few weeks Paul and I have been feeling the pressure of taking an offensive step in building the kingdom of God. Our few victories since moving to Germany–my job, registering Paul for school, navigating our way through bureaucracy–feel as though we have cut them from stone with our fingernails. The many walls we have faced–physical affliction, delays in Paul’s Visa and work permit, the draining of our financial resources–have started to feel insurmountable.

Today, as I was trying to keep composure in the face of this pressure, I began to think of Job. He was a man who lived a blameless life and even he could not escape misfortune. He was attacked financially, relationally, and physically. 

Paul and I are far from being out on the street but the continuing delays in getting a work permit for Paul are costing us money. While I do have a job the money I make barely covers our expenses currently and will not cover us if we moved out on our own. The money we brought with us to Germany (with the exception of our bingo fund) has been used up faster than anticpated because of large expenses which we didn’t know to budget for; such as Paul’s classes or the possibility of having to go to another city for Paul’s A1 certificate.

Since arriving in Germany Paul and I have both been hit physically. He immediately had a reaction to the tap water which gave him stomach problems (the water is perfectly safe but doesn’t agree with his system). I had the flu. He got a splinter in his eye which required an emergency room visit. Upon our return from the states I faced my third bout of shingles. The last few days have been filled with doctor visits and check up’s as Paul developed a superficial Venous Thrombosis which we have had to deal with.

Our biggest blessing is our relationships. All of Job’s children were taken from him when God allowed him to be tested and his friends turned on him. I am thankful that our marriage is doing well and the community here in Düsseldorf has rallied around us. This is an amazing love to experience. I am grateful God has provided these people in our time of need. We would really be lost without them.

If you would like to know how to pray for us right now I think the best way to sum it up would to ask for wisdom, shielding, and provision. We need wisdom in the best ways to move forward with Paul’s Visa/Work permit requirements. We need physical shielding and health to be restored to us both. We need financial provision and jobs which will allow us not only to be self sufficient but to be a blessing to others.

We need God to move on our behalf.

In remembering Job’s story I was reminded Satan was not allowed to do anything to Job without asking God’s permission first. The God who loves us is in control. Things may not go how I think they should but even the difficult times are for our benefit. This gives me comfort and helps me to remember it’s all for God’s glory.

Continuing the adventure, 

Paul and Jess