I had a friend at church approach me and say that she had been praying for me and had noticed I hadn't quite been myself lately. She had been told nothing and so I felt compelled to let her in on the oilfield shift which was about to cause my husband to either be layed off or have a significant reduction in the amount of hours and thus, pay. It kept bothering me because I just didn't know how to hide that I was carrying that weight but it is hard to talk about something that has so much uncertainty revolving around it.
What did I finally end up doing? I posted in Facebook on my wall after I realized that maybe others who are oilfield wives and workers needed to hear something too. This is what I said:
"While many are enjoying the low gas prices, those whose family depends on the income relating to the oilfield, are either being hit hard or holding our breath for a shoe to drop (likely close to Christmas). Out of the blue, people who did not know we are facing an uncertain future have come up or messaged me to say they felt they should be praying for me. It is absolutely encouraging that God has his hand on us and uses each of you special people to let us know that. To each of you: thank you so much, it means the world. To each of you affected by the oil field decline as well, know I am praying for you too."
I received some encouraging words but what mattered most was some people said it was what they needed to hear. It isn't the easiest thing to talk about, but if my silence prevents someone else from hearing the words they need to hear, then by all means, I will speak up. Here's to opening our mouths for the good of others.
What did I finally end up doing? I posted in Facebook on my wall after I realized that maybe others who are oilfield wives and workers needed to hear something too. This is what I said:
"While many are enjoying the low gas prices, those whose family depends on the income relating to the oilfield, are either being hit hard or holding our breath for a shoe to drop (likely close to Christmas). Out of the blue, people who did not know we are facing an uncertain future have come up or messaged me to say they felt they should be praying for me. It is absolutely encouraging that God has his hand on us and uses each of you special people to let us know that. To each of you: thank you so much, it means the world. To each of you affected by the oil field decline as well, know I am praying for you too."
I received some encouraging words but what mattered most was some people said it was what they needed to hear. It isn't the easiest thing to talk about, but if my silence prevents someone else from hearing the words they need to hear, then by all means, I will speak up. Here's to opening our mouths for the good of others.