Dear God, He's Home! excerpt by New Hope Publishers

Dear God,

HE’S HOME!

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

New Hope® Publishers P. O. Box 12065 Birmingham, AL 35202-2065 NewHopeDigital.com New Hope Publishers is a division of WMU®. © 2013 by Janet Thompson All rights reserved. First printing 2013. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without the prior written permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Thompson, Janet, 1947Dear God, he’s home! : a woman’s guide to her stay-at-home man / Janet Thompson. pages cm Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-59669-364-7 (sc) 1. Wives--Religious life. 2. Christian women--Religious life. 3. Unemployed--Religious life. 4. Marriage--Religious aspects--Christianity. 5. Househusbands. 6. Unemployment-Psychological aspects. I. Title. BV4528.15.T57 2013 248.8’435--dc23 2012042724 All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked The Message are taken from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked NIrV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL READER’S VERSION®. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked TNIV are taken from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version™ TNIV. ® Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible © copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover Image: Patrizia Tilly/shutterstock.com Cover Design: Kay Chin Bishop Interior Design: Glynese Northam ISBN-10: 1-59669-364-9 ISBN-13: 978-1-59669-364-7 N134107 • 0313 • 3M1

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 6 PREFACE 7 INTRODUCTION 10 CHAPTER 1: HE’S HOME! Our Story 14 Your Story 17

CHAPTER 2: PARALYZING SHOCK 19 You’re What? 19 This Can’t Be Happening to Us! 22 We’ll Be Fine 24 CHAPTER 3: ADJUSTING PLANS 28 Game Changer 28 Switching Roles 30 Working as a Team 34 Our Plan Isn’t Working! 36 Keeping the Peace 39 CHAPTER 4: ESTABLISHING A NEW NORMAL 43 Help! Our Diversity Is Showing 43 This Is My Home 46 The Magnet Syndrome 48 He’s Home and I’m Not 51 CHAPTER 5: DEALING WITH REACTIONS 55 Telling the Family 55 People Say the Darnedest Things 57 He Said, She Said 59 CHAPTER 6: GETTING NEEDED SUPPORT 65 We Need Help 65 Joining or Starting a Support Group 67 Others Have Survived This — We Will Too 70 CHAPTER 7: MAKING IT THROUGH THE BAD DAYS God’s Waiting Room 73 Anxious Days and Sleepless Nights 76 The Journey Can Be Lonely 78 Dealing with Depression 81 CHAPTER 8: ENJOYING THE GOOD DAYS 85 If He’s OK, I’m OK 85 We’re Having Fun Now! 88 There Are Humorous Moments 91

CHAPTER 9: KNOWING WHO IS IN CONTROL 97 Spinning Out of Control 97 Controlling the Controllable 100 Temptations and Distractions 103 Surrendering Control 105 CHAPTER 10: GRIEVING THE LOSSES 111 The Grieving Process 111 Feeling Guilty 114 Husbands and Wives Process Loss Differently 116 CHAPTER 11: DISCOVERING A NEW FOCUS AND PURPOSE 121 Changing Focus 121 Uncovering God’s Purpose 124 We’re in This Together for Better or Worse — But Not for Lunch 128 You, and He, Need an Outlet 131 CHAPTER 12: RELYING ON GOD 135 Our Faith Has Been Tested 135 In God We Trust 137 Praying Expectantly 139 Drawing Close to God and Each Other 142 CHAPTER 13: RESTORING THE JOY 147 Can I Get a Little Respect? — or — Respect Is All He Needs! Please Change Him — I Mean Me 151 Can You Hear Him Now? 153 Rejoicing in and Through the Trials 156

147

CHAPTER 14: ENDING AT THE BEGINNING 161 Begin with Gratitude for Unexpected Blessings 161 Making Your Story Your Testimony 164 We’ve Only Just Begun! 167 We Will Never Be the Same Again — or — It’s All About Love 170 My New Beginning Prayer 174 EPILOGUE: MY STAY-AT-HOME MAN SHARES 175 SANITY TOOLS 177 Research Notes 177 Books and Resources 178 Making Decisions and Developing a Plan 179 Peacekeeping Work Sheet 180 Signs of Depression/The Steps of Grief 181 7 Steps to Biblically Resolving Conflict 182 Tips for Praying as a Couple 183 More Words of Wisdom from Wives with a Stay-at-Home Man 184 10 Ways to Speak Well of Your Husband 184 Humorous Retirement To-Do List 185 I Am So Happy Because . . . 186 PRAYER

AND

PRAISE JOURNAL 187

SMALL-GROUP GUIDE 188

DEDICAT ION

ACK NOW LEDGME NTS WITHOUT MY STAY-AT-HOME MAN GRANTING me literary permission to write candidly about our life together, this book could never have emerged from my heart to yours. Some have said life with me is like an open book. I consider it allowing God to use our real life experiences to help others — mentoring, my passion and my mission. God gets all the glory, not us. I thank God in all His glory for the blessings of friends, family, and publishers who graciously participate with me in “open-book” life and ministry: MY HUBBY, DAVE, THE HERO of this book — or as he goodhumoredly says, “The sacrificial lamb.” You selflessly allow me to write and speak vulnerably and honestly about our messes and our miracles. I love you more with each passing moment — and they are passing quickly these days. My family inadvertently shares “our story” and indulgingly allows me to tell it all. You are my legacy and my love. Sharron Pankhurst, my Southern California walking buddy and trusted friend. You always ask with each new book, “Am I going to get to help edit this one?” What a gift to me and to my editors. Anita Sherwood, my southern Idaho walking buddy, neighbor, and dear friend. You’re a gift from God to these two California transplants. All the brave wives sharing your stories honestly and transparently to encourage, enlighten, and mentor other wives; and stay-at-home man Joseph, for providing a male perspective. I couldn’t have written a book to reach such a wide audience without all of you. Friends and fellow authors — too many to name, but you know who you are — who lovingly support me with prayer and encouragement. Andrea Mullins, publisher at New Hope Publishers. You’ve embraced my vision for books and Bible studies since the first day we met at AWSA and ICRS. Truly a God-ordained encounter. Esteemed Endorsers — Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott; Janet Congo; Carole Lewis; Penny Monetti; Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD; Pam Farrel; Cindi McMenamin; Laura Petherbridge; Poppy Smith; Susan Titus Osborn; and Dawn Wilson. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who continually keeps me About His Work! 6

PREFACE THE WIFE OF A STAY-AT-HOME man is going to talk to God — a lot!

Maybe she’ll write a cathartic letter in her journal: Dear God, . . . Another wife might begin her pleading or thankful prayers with “Dear God, . . . ” Still other wives in times of desperation or frustration cry out, “Dear God, HE’S HOME!” Since my husband became a stay-at-home man, I regularly express each of those “Dear Gods,” as do the wives submitting stories for this book. So don’t feel guilty if you haven’t always been joyous about this new closeness in your marriage relationship. And don’t feel alone. When I sent out a request for stories of women with a husband home due to retirement, illness, disability, out of work, home office, the military . . . the stories flowed into my inbox and my ears. Whenever I mention the title of this book, wives smirk with raised eyebrows and knowingly remark, “Boy, do I have a story for you!” “I need this book.” “I know someone who could use this book.” Or “I’m going to need this book soon, write fast!” I don’t have to tell you the reasons for these responses because you’ve picked up this book or someone gave it to you. Myriad emotions and reactions erupt from both spouses when an otherwise out-of-the-home-every-day husband is suddenly home all day — every day. Many wives have their own label for this occurrence. In Honey, I’m Home for Good!, Mary Ann Cook calls it spouse-in-thehouse syndrome. Then there’s retired-husband syndrome or military reintegration syndrome. Every couple’s response to their unique syndrome evolves from how they’ve dealt with previous transitions in their relationship. Couples who stumbled and fumbled without finding workable resolutions in the past, will probably stumble and fumble through this new situation too. However, couples who have successfully developed and implemented coping techniques may be better equipped to adjust to a full-time stayat-home man. Even so, unexpected issues can blindside both spouses. Life changes and progressions are part of God’s plan — “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” 7

P REFACE

(Ecclesiastes 3:1), even a time for a stay-at-home-man season. A spectrum of circumstances can initiate this change of season. My husband and I are baby boomers in the transitional season of retirement. Boomers are a generation refusing to grow old. We throw away AARP: The Magazine and membership forms arriving in the mail and proudly announce, “Sixty is the new 40!” as if denial could alter the march of time. Foresighted boomers prepared for their financial future — anticipating the glorious days of no alarm clocks and still being young enough to enjoy retirement. Still others didn’t plan financially for retirement, or lost what they did have in the economic meltdown. Some had to take early retirement, or were part of a company downsizing or layoff, before they were ready. Illness or injury isn’t something anyone wants to consider or anticipate, at any age. Maybe couples took precautionary measures financially with insurance and savings, or not, but many expected the husband would be a strong, virile provider . . . as long as necessary. Then one day he’s not working anymore, maybe for a short time, maybe forever. That’s not right! The Bible says man should be toiling the fields and bringing home the bread (Genesis 3:17–19), which many interpret as, “until retirement.” Disability or illness can also usher in a new season. Or maybe one day your husband came home early from work holding a box with the contents of his desk and you knew without a word spoken that he would be out of work for a while. How do you comfort him through your own fear of wondering, How will we survive financially and emotionally? Perhaps your husband’s company wants him to work from home, or he’s decided to take the plunge into self-employment and set up shop in the spare bedroom or garage. Wasn’t he supposed to go slay dragons during the day and return in the evening with provision? If your husband is in the military, or a job that regularly takes him away from home, you experience a revolving season of saying good-bye and then fitting him back into the home routine — reintegration. My husband and I have been through each of these stay-at-home man scenarios — except for the military, but we have a married, careermilitary son, so we understand the life. 8

P REFACE

Whatever circumstances brought your husband home, most couples admit they didn’t prepare for a time of being together 24/7! Regardless of the reason for this season, wives of stay-at-home men experience similar difficulties, hardships, and blessings. We’re going to explore this kinship in a universal guide for living happily ever after with your stayat-home man. I’m certainly not an expert with all the answers, but together we can mentor and help each other. Through laughter and tears, frustrations and fears, we’ll march arm-in-arm toward a common goal: keeping our marriages intact and our hearts right with God and our husbands, until we can say with thanksgiving and praise, “Dear God, He’s Home!”

INT RODUCTIO N

My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. — 1 JOHN 5:13 (The Message) I HAVE A WINDOW INTO your life with a stay-at-home man. I want

to walk beside you as only friends who have been in your shoes can. My desire is to mentor and encourage you from my experiences and to wrap you in God’s goodness, peace, and love. While I may not know your name, I know your heart. Dear God, He’s Home! is a companion guide for wherever you are in your marriage or faith journey. I trust this book also will be an oasis of solace, comfort, and encouragement from God’s Word as you seek and find God’s purpose in the midst of your journey. For each of you, God’s plan and purpose will be different and unique, but rest assured, He does have a plan. Nothing happens by accident in a believer’s life. If we know God as our personal Savior, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NASB).

This is your book to use in ways that serve you best. You might want to go through it on your own, with your husband, or with a group of other wives or couples with stay-at-home husbands using the study guide on page 188 and the “For Discussion” section at the end of each chapter. Throughout the book, I recount my husband, Dave’s, and my journey through “Dear God” journal entries, and other wives contribute their experiences on a particular topic in the “A Wife Shares” section. The format of the book is:

— My “Dear God.”

— Contributing wives with a stay-at-home man share their journey. Occasionally, a stay-at home man shares. All stories are true, but some names are fictitious. — Lessons learned, helpful tips, encouragement. — Personalized, paraphrased Scripture. Write your name in the blanks provided. — Praying with me. — Encouraging prompts and a place to journal your story. — Questions or topics to discuss with your spouse or small/support group.

ONE OF MY VISIONS FOR Dear God, He’s Home! is for it to be a safe

place to document an epic time in your life. Whether you’ve journaled regularly for years or this is your first time, there’s freedom and healing in expressing your thoughts and feelings in writing. At the end of each chapter, you can journal your own “Dear God.” You may also want to write more in a separate journal. Comfort often evolves from talking about what’s bothering us — or writing about it. Think of journaling as writing a letter to God. Not everyone understands, but God always understands and He is eager to hear from you. Regardless of your faith or religious persuasion, you matter to God and He will fill the pages by nudging you toward helpful things to journal. Maybe you’ll remember a good time to laugh about or contemplate a different perspective of a hurtful incident. Some days you’ll write pages; other days you won’t feel like writing more than a sentence. Journaling is personal. Don’t feel you have to share what you write with anyone, including your husband. However, like the women and men who share their stories in this book, God might provide opportunities for you to mentor others with the wisdom and encouragement you’ve learned along the journey. 11

INT RO DU CTION

The best part about journaling is that God is ready to receive your words with a faithful, listening ear. He can take it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. He beckons, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

• Pray before you start. • Write your heart. Let your pen flow with thoughts and feelings. • Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or sounding articulate or spiritual. • Think of journaling as writing a letter to, or a written conversation with, God. • Date your entries. • Reflect on my “Dear God” journal entries or “A Wife Shares” or a “Mentoring Moment.” • “Your Letter to God” has thought-provoking questions to get you started, but don’t feel confined to answering them. Write whatever you want. • Develop abbreviations and symbols only you understand. • When it hurts, talk about it. When you’re mad, cry out — God can take it. • Express the good and joyful times too. • Don’t worry if the pen seems too heavy — journaling shouldn’t make you feel guilty. When the time is right, you’ll get back to it again. • Record your prayer requests and God’s answers in “Prayer and Praise Journal,” page 187.

You can read Dear God, He’s Home! as a devotional or as a small/ support group study of how God’s Word, the Bible, applies to your life and marriage. The Bible provides the counsel, direction, peace, and answers you seek. It’s “a manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; to teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There’s something here also for seasoned men 12

INT RO DU CTION

and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn — Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women. Start with GOD” (Proverbs 1:3–7 The Message). The Bible is your personal guide for life. Nothing else can fill the deep need and hole in your heart except God and His Word. Often in the “God’s Love Letter to You” or “Let’s Pray” sections, we’ll pray personalized, paraphrased Scriptures. Try praying the following personalized Scripture:

Lord, teach us your ways, O LORD, that we may live according to your truth! Grant us purity of heart, so that we may honor you. With all our heart, we will praise you, O Lord our God. We will give glory to your name forever. Amen. (Psalm 86:11–12 NLT; paraphrased)

Writing this book for you helped me love and appreciate my stay-at-home man more than I ever imagined possible and I hope reading it will do the same for you with your stay-at-home man. My prayer for you: “May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4).

Chapter 1:

HE’S H OME!

I remember God — and shake my head. I bow my head — then wring my hands.

I’m awake all night — not a wink of sleep; I can’t even say what’s bothering me. I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. — PSALM 77:3–5 (The Message)

If only my words were written in a book — better yet, chiseled in stone! — JOB

19:23–24 (The Message)

I’D BEEN WAITING TO MEET a godly man for a long time. I was a single parent for 17 years and my only daughter, Kim, was getting ready to leave for college so it seemed like the perfect time for God to bring “Mr. Right” into my life. Then there he was — tall, dark, tanned, and handsome! I had joined a small group Bible study comprised of career men and women from my church. During introductions, Dave said he was divorced with three kids and was a regional manager for a semiconductor company. Bingo! I thought I knew exactly why God had me join this group. This man had definite potential. Eventually, he asked me out. Love blossomed. Six months later, we became “Hubby” and “Wiffy” and started on the journey of blending our two families. Life was good. We both had two 14

well-paying, challenging careers, a nice home, great kids, and I started attending seminary. Dual incomes afforded us the freedom to travel, remodel our home, and provide our kids with a comfortable lifestyle. Three years after our wedding, the last child left home so we agreed I could resign from my career and go into full-time lay ministry, starting the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry at our church — Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. Dave’s job would support us nicely and provide benefits. The mentoring ministry was growing and we were enjoying the luxuries of an empty nest . . . for all of three months. Then Dave was part of a corporate layoff five months after his 50th birthday. “No problem,” he said confidently. “I’ve never had trouble finding work. Recruiters are always contacting me with jobs from the best companies.” A “Job Placement Program” was part of his severance package, so for the next three months not much changed. Every morning he showered and shaved, dressed in his suit, starched shirt, tie, and dress shoes, grabbed his briefcase, and went to the “office” of the job placement company. I continued attending seminary and growing the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry. Slightly daunted, but not discouraged when the three months ended with the job placement company and no jobs surfaced, Dave moved his recruiting efforts into one of the kids’ vacated bedrooms, which we set up as his temporary office. As the months dragged on, I could hear his frustrated, borderlinebegging phone conversations. He was overqualified for any entrance opportunity and too old and high-paid for advanced positions. Discouragement turned into depression as my former corporate businessman in three-piece suits and shined designer shoes deteriorated into a couch potato in shorts, a tank top, and flip flops. Watching him sink into a “midlife crisis,” I convinced him to start working out at the local gym, where he actually found his next job after 18 months of unemployment. I did have to ask if it was a job or a hobby since it was working for a man with a small golf manufacturer’s rep business who overheard Dave lamenting about his out-of-work dilemma while pumping iron at the gym. The “job” had no benefits and was

CH A P T ER 1 : H E ’S HO ME

commission only, but Dave loved being around golf courses for the next four years. Just as he was starting to make a suitable living at this venture, his boss let him go, saying he couldn’t afford to keep him on staff. This layoff coincided with my first breast cancer diagnosis. Again, Dave was back to recruiters, job fairs, scouring the newspaper . . . anything . . . nothing. Only this time, we couldn’t afford for him to go into a depression or sit on the couch — Dave needed a job with benefits ASAP. I was still working out of my home office leading the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry and had started About His Work Ministries — my writing and speaking ministry. Christian speakers and authors often receive the advice, “Never quit your day job.” Too late — I had quit my day job. Now I had cancer and my husband was out of work, again. Four months later, Dave came home from a job fair announcing he had an interview with a bug and termite exterminator company. I couldn’t imagine Mr. Corporate America and golf rep Dave wearing a khaki green uniform, mask, hard hat, and work boots chasing bugs in attics, crawl spaces under houses, and around yards. But that’s exactly what he did for the next seven years . . . until he couldn’t walk anymore. His right ankle began swelling, then he was limping, and finally the doctor said he eventually wouldn’t be able to walk without having reconstructive foot surgery, which would require being off his feet at home for six-months to a year. His company gave him six months to return to work or lose his job. A “six-month recovery” morphed into a year — unemployed again — but this time he was 64 and disabled. To Dave it was a nobrainer — retire. To me it was a brain-twister — retire? I fought it, denied it, tried to persuade him to find a desk job and work at least until he was 67 or 70 . . . but not retire. No, not stay home! How would we survive financially? What would he do with his time? How could I write with him around when I needed complete solitude? In this book, I’ll share with you how we worked through each of our “Dear God, He’s Home!” seasons, as I let you peek into my heart and soul.

CH A P T ER 1 : H E ’S HO ME

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us — yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to — ISAIAH 63:7 his compassion and many kindnesses.

OK, it’s your turn. What’s your story? How do you happen to have a stay-at-home man? What are your concerns? Explain it all to God:

Dear God,

Date:

CH A P T ER 1 : H E ’S HO ME

Chapter 2:

PARAL YZING SHOCK

Stand in shock, heavens, at what you see! Throw up your hands in disbelief — this can’t be! — JEREMIAH 2:12 (The Message)

It is a land as dark as midnight, a land of utter gloom where confusion reigns and the light is as dark as midnight. — JOB 10:22 (NLT)

Dear God, After only 3 years of wedded bliss, we encountered our first stayat-home saga. When Dave turned 50, he started worrying about his job being tenuous. I reassured him that he certainly didn’t look 50, and how would they even know? He said, “Oh, they know, and I think we should prepare ourselves.” I didn’t take his advice. I resigned from my career to go into full-time lay ministry and reveled in having my husband supporting me after working 17 years as a single mom. 19

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The “reveling” only lasted three months! One morning I got a surprise phone call from him asking for prayer. I thought he might be having second thoughts about our new couch arriving that day! He assured me he loved the couch but had received a fax announcing company layoffs, and his boss was coming to his office at 4:00 that afternoon, either to give him a bigger territory, or the boot. Sure enough, at 5:00 he walked in the house carrying a box of his office possessions with the family picture from his desk peeking out the top — I couldn’t believe it! They gave him 30 minutes to pack up his office, a three-month severance package, and a have-a-good life goodbye. Cold. Brutal. Lord, how could this happen? Didn’t you want me to go into ministry? Wasn’t Dave supposed to support us while I served You? Will he get another job soon like he expects? How is this all going to turn out? So many unanswered questions. Too late to take back the new couch . . . In shock, Janet

I’m living my perfect life, I thought as I sat at my computer. I’d just received a writing contract, which would enable me to continue working out of my home during our son John’s sophomore year of high school. I hoped to replenish the family’s savings account after helping fund a family reunion earlier that year. I was grateful, knowing I couldn’t do what I did without my husband, Richard’s, support. His position as computer network manager had provided us with financial stability and health benefits while I worked as a freelance writer to supplement our income during our son’s growingup years. I was a very lucky woman. My concentration was interrupted by John yelling, “Dad’s home.” It was only 3:00 P.M. Richard never came home at 3:00. He must be sick. I reached the front door just as he opened it. My heart leapt to my throat as I saw him enter the house holding his office plant and coffee mug. I didn’t really need his explanation, “I’ve been laid off.”

CH A P T ER 2 : PA R A L Y ZING S HOCK

The phone call caught me off guard. It was shortly after 5:00 P.M. and I was beginning to slow down after a busy afternoon. When I recognized the voice, my pulse quickened. I knew the message couldn’t be good. My caller, a Veterans Administration physician, calmly told me I had Agent Orange.

Even though it’s been 17 years since Dave’s first layoff, I can still remember where we were when he told me he was worried about turning 50, and I can visualize myself vacuuming where the new couch was going to go when I got Dave’s phone call. Laid off, downsized, fired, let go . . . whatever terminology, the result is the same — unemployment — scary and shocking for our husbands, our family, and us. Maybe the shocking news that brought your husband home to stay was a medical diagnosis, an injury or accident, forced early retirement, your home turned into his office, or he’s returning from deployment maybe with injuries or PTSD — whatever turned your world upside down, it calls for a response. Webster’s dictionary defines shock: “A sudden or violent disturbance of the mind, emotions, or sensibilities. Synonym ‘startle’ implies the sharp surprise of sudden fright.” Our body reacts with dry mouth, racing heart, sinking stomach, sweaty palms, numbness, flushed face, maybe fainting or sickness — a terrible feeling. We can’t live in a state of shock for long without our body completely shutting down. Mercifully, the shock phase passes and myriad reactions follow — denial, anger, depression, and eventually, acceptance.

Dear , I am holding you by your right hand — I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Do not be afraid. I am here to help you” (Isaiah 41:13 NLT; paraphrased). Your Shock Absorber, God

C H A P T ER 2 : PA R A L Y ZING S HO C K

God, we’re reeling from shock . . . numb. We need comfort and reassurance that somehow we’ll make it through this. Help us process the news we’ve heard and accept the things we cannot change. We believe You are in this with us and You have a plan. Lord, let the love we have for our husbands draw us closer to them when they need us the most. Grow our love and don’t allow anything to divide our marriages. We need You, Lord. We can’t get through this without You. Amen.

If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? — JUDGES 6:13

Dear God, Dave was so sure he’d quickly find another job. In the past, recruiters were always calling him, but it’s been months and still no job. The rejection is taking a toll, and I can see depression consuming him. Sometimes he just sits on the couch . . . tousled hair, a week’s growth on his face . . . staring into space . . . . What happened to the professional man I married? The Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry is soaring, and churches are calling to ask what we’re doing. I can’t go down this dark road of depression with him, so I’ve decided to write a resource to help churches start their own mentoring ministries. I know so little about computer graphics and design. Maybe engaging Dave in helping me with this project would give him purpose and he’d feel useful again. For now, we still have my insurance sales residuals and our savings. Something good has to come from this stressful time . . . I know it will! Making the best of it, Janet

CH A P T ER 2 : PA R A L Y ZING S HOCK

With Richard’s layoff, I knew I wouldn’t be helping replenish the family’s savings account. I’d be using the money for groceries and John’s high school expenses. While I tried to be positive, other financial worries bubbled to the surface. Both Richard and I were driving vehicles with over 100,000 miles. Our plan was to get a car for John once he got his license, but that’s out of the question now. The house needed several repairs, including a new air-conditioning unit. We’d have to come up with John’s college tuition in a couple of years and there was the issue of saving for retirement. I kept a text file of Isaiah 41:10 minimized on my computer screen. When anxiety crept up, I’d maximize the file and read the verse a few times. It was wonderfully reassuring.

As I hung up the phone, a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. I had Agent Orange. Why now? I had lived a life defying odds at every turn, often overcoming barriers of adversity. Now, the supreme test was at hand. I desperately needed the presence of God to calm my shattered nerves and brace me for the journey ahead. Yes, I needed a God who had sometimes seemed important, if inconvenient. He was a force to propel me through the upcoming darkness.

Something good did come out of Dave being home. With both of us unemployed, people asked when I was going back to work and Dave would reply, “Janet’s about the Lord’s work.” About His Work Ministries became the name of my writing and speaking ministry, which Dave helped launch while teaching me how to compose and format on the computer — something I never thought possible. God used this time of secular unemployment to keep Dave God-employed with me. Whatever brought your husband home didn’t catch God off guard. When your husband is feeling weak, he needs you to remain strong — that kind of strength only comes from God and reading His Word. Spend extra time with God and maintain your “normal” schedule. God will 23

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find a way where there seems to be no way — as long as you trust and obey and look for Him at work in the midst of your circumstances.

Dear , I’m telling you, “You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.” Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear, for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you (Isaiah 41:9–10 The Message; paraphrased). Never Leaving or Forsaking You, God

Oh Lord, having a husband home is something we thought only happened to other women! Not only is it a hardship, we fear it’s going to put a real strain on our marriages. Help us stay calm and not panic. Give us supportive, encouraging, and understanding hearts. We need to be strong now for our husbands and the family, but we feel so weak. Please provide us with supernatural strength that others will know can only come from You. May You get all the glory. Amen.

Don’t waver in resolve. Don’t fear. Don’t hesitate. Don’t panic. God, your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies, fighting to win. — DEUTERONOMY 20:1 (The Message)

Dear God, I always believed You would see us through unemployment trials, so I focused on all the wonderful things happening in the mentoring 24

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ministry — lives changing for the better. I knew our lives would get better too, I just couldn’t see how or when. After 18 long, painful months, Dave finally found a job as a manufacture’s rep for golf clothes and accessories — minimal pay, no benefits, long hours, and we had to invest in a van! But Dave looked so happy every morning dressed in his name-brand golf clothes — one “benny” of the job — on his way to one of his favorite places — golf courses. It was hard not to be happy for him. Although, I often lamented whether this was a job or a hobby — whatever. It got him out of the house, and we’d keep making do until he started making money. Then just when this “job” finally started to pay off after four years, Dave’s boss let him go while I was in the midst of breast cancer treatment. Could it get any worse? Lord, You are so good, You never let us down. This time, unemployment only lasted four months and Dave was back to work as a termite inspector, trading in his golf clothes for a company-issued uniform, hard hat, and pickup. Thank You, Lord, for a husband willing to do whatever it takes to support us. Depending on You, Janet

“Oh, we’ll be OK,” was all I could think to say. I said it more to reassure our son John than myself, but it wasn’t long before panic set in. Richard began enumerating our options as we sat at the kitchen table with a pile of paperwork, a calculator, and two cups of green tea. “A severance package will take us through the end of the year. Then, I’ll get unemployment and we qualify for COBRA.” We’d be all right for a little while — long enough for Richard to find full-time work. Or so we thought. Richard began an intense search for another professional position in network management while I continued with my contract job. I was happy for the work as a distraction from worry.

I’m a fighter; I’ll never give up until the last breath. A lesson I hope my three young children can take from me, especially if I meet an early 25

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death from Agent Orange side effects. Can I forgive their mother, who abandoned us for medical school and a man young enough to be my son? Where was the “in sickness and health” promise we made at our wedding? It really doesn’t matter, because I have to manage the hand I’m dealt — a sick, at-home, single parent.

When our husbands are in a precarious position, out of work — temporary or permanent — ill, disabled, changing job surroundings, home from a difficult deployment, or anything that sets his and our world on end, we wives have a choice. Will we be an enabler, encourager, endorser, edifier — or a deserter? Sadly, some women run at the first indication of happily ever after turning into imperfect and real. I’m not proud of some of my reactions at various times in Dave’s stay-at-home seasons, and other times I amazed myself at how calm and optimistic I could remain in the midst of our crises. During discouraging “Eeyore” moments, I reminded myself that God knew what was happening and maybe He was working on something in my husband’s or my life. If I tried to be a “fixer” or take matters into my own hands, we might have to experience this all over again. I had to learn to let go of my concerns and sincerely believe everything would be fine if we turned it all over to God. Little did I know that surrender would eventually result in, “Yeah, I’m home forever!” sooner than I expected.

Dear , “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic’” (Isaiah 28:16). Watching Over You, God

Abba Father, we want to believe everything is going to be OK, but we still can’t dispel chilling doubts. We push our husbands to change the situation when we know we should be talking more with You and 26

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relying on You to work out Your good and perfect will. Help us stay focused on Your promises and not our circumstances. Enable us to be a helpmate to our husbands and not a hindrance. We need You, Lord. Please stay close by our sides. Amen.

This might have been a difficult chapter as you relived past pains or current issues. Healing and comfort come when you put your feelings into words and pour them out on paper. Tell everything to God here:

Dear God,

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