Signs of the Times, part 2

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It's been almost a month since I wrote a blog post, and prior to signing in had already decided to title this post 'signs of the times,' not realizing that my last post had that same title. I guess the signs of the times have been all around me, and on my mind recently. Today, as Bon Jovi and I were taking a walk through the neighborhoods around the church, I saw a Vacant Property sign posted on one of the houses we pass by each day. This is a nice well established neighborhood. And yet, even here, people are losing their homes. Houses are left vacant and taken over by the bank. It's a sobering sign of the times, and I know that Ron and I are just one paycheck away from being in the same boat. And knowing that, makes us very grateful for our jobs, even when we complain about our jobs (as we all do).
When January 1 rolled around this year, I think all of us were happy to have twenty-11 behind us. But, unfortunately, many of the same issues and problems have followed us right into twenty-12!
I don't know the story of the house in the neighborhood behind the church, why it is vacant. But I know the story in our house and how difficult it is to make ends meet ... but we are trying to put our faith in God. My daily Bible reading today was a reminder that putting our trust and faith in God is exactly what we should do. God told Abraham,
 “Do not be afraid, 
   I am your shield,
   your very great reward."
We shouldn't be afraid either. God is our shield and our reward will be great.