The Lesson I Learned From Pistachios

The Lesson I Learned From Pistachios

Written by Amanda Hawkins

    Yesterday evening as Dominic and I sat in our regular recliners in the living room, I learned something.

     Dominic was eating Pistachios, which are one of my favorite nuts. I did not ask him for any, because it would have been rude to do so, considering I had eaten a whole bag of them by myself just days before.

     We sat for a little while watching a movie that wasn't very good. I was cuddled up, and Dominic tossed Pistachio shells onto my blanket that was stretched across my lap forming a hammock shape. 

     I was upset by his action, and just as I opened my mouth to scold him for throwing empty shells on my lap, I realized that the shells he had thrown were not empty. He had given me five Pistachios. 

     "Thank you honey." I replied, ashamed of my split second of anger.

     That's when I thought to myself, what if they were just shells? What would I have said? Something along these lines: 'Why would you do that? You could've just got up and thrown them away, now I have shells all over my blanket.' No doubt I would've said it in a whiny and frustrated voice as I scooped the trash into my hand and shook the rest of the blanket off onto the floor. 

     My husband didn't give me the chance to act bitter. Instead I felt guilty for being angry even for a second. 

     That's when I realized that even if it was just empty shells, is that something to be upset about? Empty shells should be just as much of a gift as full shells. It would've given me an opportunity to help my husband. It would've given me an opportunity to react in a gracious way, rather than with a snotty attitude. 

     I know now, the next time my husband leaves dirty clothes on the floor, or gives me trash to throw away, or hands me a dish to wash, I will accept with joy, because it is just as good of a gift to me as a handful of Pistachios, and sometimes he surprises me and gives me that as well.

     As a wife, I am supposed to be a helper and a best friend to my hubby. If I would've reacted in a negative way, I wouldn't have been fulfilling any of my purpose as Dominic's wife. 

     I am grateful to be my husbands help, to take his Pistachio shells to the trash for him, to wash his clothes and dishes, to give him foot rubs after work every night when his feet hurt, and to be his best friend who he chooses to share those Pistachios with. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful companion, and there is no reason I should be upset by doing things for him. That is the lesson I learned. 

     PS. Thank you for the Pistachios honey. 

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"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life...." -- Proverbs 31:10-12

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."-- Proverbs 31:27-28

A Job In God's Hands

A Job In God's Hands

Written by Amanda Hawkins

     First off, I would like to apologize, it's been a few weeks since I have posted anything on Committed To Us. There has been some stress lately, and I haven't had the time to write. But that's what I'm going to tell you about today: what has been going on, and what we have learned from it.

     My husband lost his job. We take this as a blessing. His boss said that he was not adapting well enough to the many different things that need to be done in the factory, and that Dominic should be working with a company where he can do just welding, because that is what he went to school for and loves to do. By the grace of God, Dominic's boss also said that he may continue to work there for a while until he is able to find another job, and that he will still make sure that Dominic has his forklift license, and as much lathe and mill practice as he needs to get a better job before he leaves.
     We were worried at first when he found out the news, but we know that it is in God's hands.
     Dominic has a job interview tomorrow for a job that pays the same and is closer to home, and there are other job opportunities for welding opening up as well.
     We know that God will provide. Even if what we want isn't exactly what God wants, His ways are higher than our ways. He sustains us, gives us joy and peace, and is a shield against whatever we face. God is our strength, our foundation, our salvation.
     Sometimes as humans we find it difficult to trust that someone else will provide for us. Sometimes I worry that we won't have enough money for gas or food throughout the week, but the truth is, I trust that my husband will provide for our household. We also need to trust that God will provide for us as well.
     It has been a long road to arrive where Dominic and I are at now. Dominic had to finish his college while I was working. We slept in a van most nights for about a year. Once Dominic was finished with school, he found a job, though he only worked there a couple months because it was through a staffing agency that only needed him temporarily. He found a few other jobs, also through the staffing agency, and also only for temporary hire, until he started working here, and that's when we signed the lease for our first apartment back in August.
     It is discouraging to think about the fact that we could lose our home if we can't find a different job before he is cut off here. My husband reassured me that will not happen though, and I trust and believe him. We trust that God has a plan, and that Dominic will find a permanent job.
     My husband is really trying very hard. He is working like crazy at applications, calling back places, seeking help through the unemployment agency, etc. And we have been praying about it.
     Everything happens for a reason, and we should take both the bad and the good as an equal blessing. We now have a testimony to use for the Lord.
     I will admit that it's not always easy to look at it in this positive light, but we know that it's the only way we can look at it.
     There is a lot to be learned in trials. We also know that we have each other, and our God, and that nothing can break that, even if we do lose our home. It will be okay, that is what we have learned. Trust in God, because it is in His hands.

"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." -- Psalm 9:10

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." -- Proverbs 3:5-6