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I wish I could cry. Paula's a professional crier. As hard as I tried, I couldn't get the tear ducts working. Therefore, she became our designated crier.

I, on the other hand, was the designated moper. I'd spend days sticking out my lower lip, slouching my shoulders, and shuffling as I walked. We each expressed our emotions and allowed each other to grieve before we moved on.

After Paula and I grieved, we allowed ourselves to laugh. We needed our sense of humor as we dealt with change and children. I found that out when my daughter came to me one day. She gazed at me with her puppy dog eyes and said, "Daddy, do you need my allowance?"

"No, Sweetheart. We're doing fine."

"Oh, okay," she said. "Then can you give me my allowance before you run out of money?"

God blessed us in new and unexpected ways. I prayed detailed prayers about what I thought God should be doing. I'd explain to him where I should work, what I should wear that day, and what color the building should be. None of that worked out. Instead, God provided temporary work for me while I looked for something permanent. Is that what I wanted? No, but God is good. He has provided for and protected us.

Sometimes, we block God from doing the best for us. Initially, when Paula's friend offered her the position, I was against it.

"You can't do that, Paula!" I exclaimed. "We had it worked out so you could stay home with the kids."

"But, Kevin, maybe this is God's way of providing for us and getting me back in the workforce."

"But what about all the housework? Sure, I've been able to help, but you're the brains behind this household."

She surveyed my sexist stance. "You think you couldn't manage the house, or are you just accustomed to having your wife do it all for you?"

My flawless logic didn't work. She took the job and I balanced temporary work with the kitchen. Since Paula worked for a preschool, her new employment allowed our daughter to attend school while Mom worked. We couldn't have afforded the tuition if Paula stayed home. It's worked better than we could have planned, but not in the way we would have expected.

Cling to God. If you aren't used to praying and having devotions together, now's a good time to start. Over the years, Paula and I tried to have time with God together. But while I was unemployed, that time together took on a new sense of urgency. Before my layoff, we struggled with what to pray for. During it, we had no problem coming up with prayer requests. Our time together with God helped us acknowledge who was in control.

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