reminding myself to wait on the Lord

Yikes. It seems like there are so many blog posts being shared about giving lots of gifts and not giving lots of gifts, Santa and not Santa, that I'm feeling a little bit dizzy. Yes, we've thought these things through, and I appreciate the chance to reevaluate and all that, but the last one I read tonight (not from anyone I know) may have just been a bit too much on this one topic. I had planned to share a post on our choices but maybe I will just wait until... well... never. Or maybe summertime, when it doesn't steal my joy about Christmas to overanalyze it. I finished our Christmas present planning last month because my own tendency is too obsess over it way too much (which I did this time as well, only in October and November instead of in December) and because I wanted this month to be a joyful, restful one, free from any kind of consumeristic franticness. That seems to be working, at least as far as being able to restfully enjoy our Advent season is concerned.

But there are other stresses at work on us just now. At this point, we don't seem to be tremendously stressed, but I would ask for your prayers, as there is a lot happening. And there have definitely been some overwhelmed moments lately. And we are definitely in need of the Lord's wisdom and guidance right now, again, because this is one of those times when we are simply going... woah. Lord. This is way too much for us to figure out. Please help! Please guide!

I was going to write it all out but that would be horrendously long. Here's the fast version.

Car died: bad.
We still have our old Jeep: good.
Old Jeep can't handle winter conditions: bad.
Old Jeep is moldy and not starting: bad.
Our truck suddenly needs the four-wheel-drive repaired: bad.
Friends are letting us use their extra car as long as we need it: great!
Not room in the borrowed car for three carseats: bad.
Not covered long-term on insurance to drive their car: bad.
Found out that Keith will be out of work within a week or two: bad.
Seems like the rest of the town is laid off too, as the mills are full and not accepting logs: bad.
Keith may not be able to collect unemployment because he only just started this job: bad.
Need to pay our birth costs this month: maybe not bad, but definitely not great timing.
No time to talk with Keith about anything, because he needs to work as much as he can now: bad.

Um, does that about cover it? Looking at possibly moving... anywhere... in the next month, if necessary, so that Keith can find work. Kind of serious stuff.

And I know it doesn't seem like it relates, but... as far as Christmas goes... I am remembering the craziness of what it really meant for Mary and Joseph to trust God. And how He provided for them, even if it was a stable, of all places. And how God has always directed and provided for Keith and me before, and how I can know that He will again. And how it's okay if my carefully laid plans for Rilla's big birthday gift and the childrens' Christmas presents are thwarted. Because God is still good in the midst of the craziness, and He will guide us through it, and even the little things, the things that matter only to me and aren't a big deal to anyone else, He still cares about those things and He will make them work out too. Because He loves me. Even if I have sudden moments of panic. Even if it all turns into one big tornado of panic in my heart (although I am desperately trying not to let it)... still, He will work it out. He is still with us. He has not forgotten us. These events are not a surprise to Him. And He will bring good out of all this.

God knows: good.
God cares: good.
God has a plan: good.
He loves me: great!