So many of you have watched my Facebook page, my twitter account and here on my blog waiting for the next big thing. You have faithfully lifted my family and I up in prayer and have hung on during my very silent two months since HP let me go. I know you have been there because I can feel it and I can see it.
I want to spend a quick moment recounting the amazing things God is doing for us because you have unapologetically been praying for our blessing and provision. First, HP gave us 13 weeks of severance. I have to admit I was REALLY scared...that was three short months(two of which have already expired). We just bought a house last January and I wasn't certain how I was going to stretch out 13 weeks pay to make house payments until I got a new job. Truth be told we had been living more than our means each month and had little in reserve. We adjusted, I cooked more, we didn't spend frivolously but we didn't really change too much in how we were living. And yet at the end of the two months I still see a balance in the checking account that sits within a thousand dollars of the original installment of our severance. I don't know how that has happened except that God is an amazing God who fed 5000 with basically nothing and had leftovers.
Tom has been given so much favor at his job at the YMCA since I lost my job. Let me catch you up really quick. About 8 weeks before I was laid off, Tom had his bootcamp class taken away from him by his management. This was a group of ladies who had been with him for over 5 years. Instead of this well developed bootcamp he was charged with starting a beginner class. Long story short, there were many hurt feelings and Tom was tempted to leave given that he has to commute down into Houston to teach the class three times a week. It was a tough spot for us, both of us were miserable at work, but he stayed put and honored his commitments. On the last day of his 8 week session, just one week after I turned in my 13 year old HP badge, the new group of ladies gave him a bonus. Since then the same group of ladies have given him two more. I could talk about all the new training business God has blessed us with for an entire blog but I won't bore you. Suffice it to say God is filling our baskets and bank account in ways we could never have imagined.
But the favor we are feeling isn't only monetary. Our family is happier than we have been in the past. We are looking out for each other. We are standing side by side and talking about the things that are most important to us. For once, I am listening to my kids who have said that mom at home more than away is far more important than restaurants, plane tickets, and fancy summer camps. We are all more engaged with the Lord. The boys asked for new bibles for Christmas to use for night time reading logs at school. They chose Christmas cards that declared that Jesus is Lord and if you don't know Him you are missing out. Karl has a teacher who has reminded him repeatedly that this too will pass and God has us in the right place. Paul has a teacher who sees him, and gets that this is stressful for a third grader. She has whispered words in his heart that say "it will be okay", and that she is right here to help if he needs it.
Texas has honored my teaching degree and license from Colorado and I am moving toward a teaching position again. And believe it or not we can survive on that salary. God is stretching us and teaching us to live in the sweet spot of faith. There are days when I don't know how it will all work out and I tell the Lord that it doesn't all add up but then something happens to reaffirm that we are on the right road and we are doing what is more important.
So we unapologetically thank you for your prayers and thank Him for His love and declare that 2014 is a year of faith and favor for the four of us. I am going to try to chronicle it much more closely because I truly don't want you to miss the miracles that I know are around the corner. I don't want you miss a beat of His heart toward us. So check back periodically to see how God is providing for us in ways our natural minds can't even comprehend. And know that while we are walking this out we are praying that you will find His power overwhelming your life as well. And that by this time next year, each of you will be unapologetically telling your story of favor in the Lord.
We love you and you are in our prayers daily!
The Murphy/Braden clan
The Murphy's
murphy's law
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Examples
I have a great dad. He has often been the rock I turn to when I am tossing in uncertainty and he has always pointed me to the rock that is higher than him or me. Most of us don't get examples like him on earth.
Let me illustrate his quiet strength. As a freshman in high school, I experienced more death than is normal. We had two brothers die of gunshot wounds, a car accident that killed one and left another scarred for life, we had a cancer scare and then we had a suicide. I wasn't really prepared for death or the finality of it. I knew the junior who took his life. In my life there have been some very pivotal moments and Tim Weber's funeral was one of them. My dad stood behind me as we took our place along the edge of the sanctuary because the church was filled to overflowing.
My dad was a pro at funerals. It comes with his business. He had performed countless memorial services, graveside burials and had helped many grieve the loss death brings. His experience with death ranged from those who had lived long lives to those who had lived only hours. He understood that funerals were vital for closure but that they also tell a story about the deceased that many never understand while they are living. They show our legacy. A church filled to standing room only with grieving teenagers and their parents showed what Tim couldn't see in life - he had purpose and he was loved.
I remember vividly when we left the church and my dad drove me to the foothills above Boulder, CO where we sat in the sun and simply experienced God's majestic hand in the world around us. We didn't talk about Tim or the funeral or life lessons or even my grief. He knew I just needed quiet. I needed to be able to think, hear and respond to what was happening in my heart. Those types of scenes were typical for my dad. Leading but not directing you to find your own way.
Even as recently as yesterday I called him to seek direction in the midst of my newest storm. He pointed me to the word. He quoted it. He read it. We remember verses together. That is my dad's legacy. He raised me to know the provision of God's hand. He raised me to have no fear of the future. He raised me to believe that no matter what else I do in life I want to blaze a trail that shines bright with God's glory. He raised me to tell the world what I know to be true - Jesus saves.
As I move forward in life, I want to be like my dad. I have children I want to raise to know that what you do isn't who you are. And how you live isn't nearly as important as who you are living for. I want Karl and Paul to know that there is only one way to God and that when you rest in His arms there is no fear because God is healer, provider, deliverer, and strength. I want my legacy to be children of faith.
Songwriters Michael Masser and Linda Creed had it right when they penned the infamous lines, "The children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way." Our kids don't need to more self esteem they need more God esteem. They don't need more things in their toy chests they need more prayer in their prayer closets. They need stronger examples of living in the world but not being of it. They need us to stand up for Godly principles. They need us to be examples of Christ's love. They need us to lead them so they can lead their children. Being the parent that leads their children in the path of righteousness is not easy in our society of lawlessness and selfish ambition, but it is imperative.
Living a godly life, marked by righteousness and truth will mark you. The world will look at you and know. They will readily be able to see you are not like they are. Your children will be know as different - they will be marked as well. Being marked as a child is hard. In a world of mindless following, I pray my children are marked for a higher calling and not mixed in with the flock being led away to slaughter.
Let me illustrate his quiet strength. As a freshman in high school, I experienced more death than is normal. We had two brothers die of gunshot wounds, a car accident that killed one and left another scarred for life, we had a cancer scare and then we had a suicide. I wasn't really prepared for death or the finality of it. I knew the junior who took his life. In my life there have been some very pivotal moments and Tim Weber's funeral was one of them. My dad stood behind me as we took our place along the edge of the sanctuary because the church was filled to overflowing.
My dad was a pro at funerals. It comes with his business. He had performed countless memorial services, graveside burials and had helped many grieve the loss death brings. His experience with death ranged from those who had lived long lives to those who had lived only hours. He understood that funerals were vital for closure but that they also tell a story about the deceased that many never understand while they are living. They show our legacy. A church filled to standing room only with grieving teenagers and their parents showed what Tim couldn't see in life - he had purpose and he was loved.
I remember vividly when we left the church and my dad drove me to the foothills above Boulder, CO where we sat in the sun and simply experienced God's majestic hand in the world around us. We didn't talk about Tim or the funeral or life lessons or even my grief. He knew I just needed quiet. I needed to be able to think, hear and respond to what was happening in my heart. Those types of scenes were typical for my dad. Leading but not directing you to find your own way.
Even as recently as yesterday I called him to seek direction in the midst of my newest storm. He pointed me to the word. He quoted it. He read it. We remember verses together. That is my dad's legacy. He raised me to know the provision of God's hand. He raised me to have no fear of the future. He raised me to believe that no matter what else I do in life I want to blaze a trail that shines bright with God's glory. He raised me to tell the world what I know to be true - Jesus saves.
As I move forward in life, I want to be like my dad. I have children I want to raise to know that what you do isn't who you are. And how you live isn't nearly as important as who you are living for. I want Karl and Paul to know that there is only one way to God and that when you rest in His arms there is no fear because God is healer, provider, deliverer, and strength. I want my legacy to be children of faith.
Songwriters Michael Masser and Linda Creed had it right when they penned the infamous lines, "The children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way." Our kids don't need to more self esteem they need more God esteem. They don't need more things in their toy chests they need more prayer in their prayer closets. They need stronger examples of living in the world but not being of it. They need us to stand up for Godly principles. They need us to be examples of Christ's love. They need us to lead them so they can lead their children. Being the parent that leads their children in the path of righteousness is not easy in our society of lawlessness and selfish ambition, but it is imperative.
Living a godly life, marked by righteousness and truth will mark you. The world will look at you and know. They will readily be able to see you are not like they are. Your children will be know as different - they will be marked as well. Being marked as a child is hard. In a world of mindless following, I pray my children are marked for a higher calling and not mixed in with the flock being led away to slaughter.
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