Dreams

When the recession hit full force between 2007 & 2010, our little part of the US Economy was hit very hard. We experienced 5 different banks and all their branches being taken over by the FDIC and sold off to another institution. One bank was started from the premise that they would be a “foreclosure bank”. When these bank take-downs took place there were hundreds of people in our area who lost massive amounts of money invested into those institutions. Then after the foreclosure banks took over, they started calling notes and loans due. I knew one person whose family had 3 investment properties who were never late and the bank called the note due. These folks were strong enough to go to another bank and borrow the funds to move forward. Others whose notes were called due had not choice except foreclosure or bankruptcy. (I don’t have time to explain the lucrative “loss-share” arrangement that the FDIC had with these foreclosure banks, which explains in large part why so many notes were called due.) These were some very hard times and money was very tight in our part of the world. Fast forward to 2017 and the economic outlook is a bit better. We still have some challenges ahead for sure, and while economic recovery has been slow, we are recovering.

As I read the word this morning, I was reminded that the Lord was not surprised by the recession. He is never caught off guard by events of my world. When I call out to Him, He shows up and really changes the outlook and outcome of many events. Check this out…

¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
³ The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126:1-6 NIV)

I don’t know many people who weren’t downsized a bit by the economic recession that is not too far distant in the rear-view mirror. I know that many of them have discovered a lot about themselves and their ability to recover and rebound. My family and I battled through like so many good people and I’m thankful that The Lord provided the path to navigate through such turbulent times.

I feel like the Lord brings hope and peace to the most chaotic circumstances or issues. He brings clarity and calm. He brings wisdom and discernment. He is responsible for giving wisdom in large doses to anyone who asks. He became my CFO (Chief Financial Officer) when the recession hit and He will hold that position in my life to the end.  He restored my hopes and dreams, they will just be delayed a bit. He is worthy of my trust and my hope. At the end of it all, the Lord owns everything and I’m simply His manager of what He’s given me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne