Answered Prayer

Is it just me, or do you hate dealing with government things, too?  I think it is the RED-TAPE that gives me the negative feelings.....among other things that I won't take the time to address here and make your blood boil!  :D

I had an appointment with the Social Security office today to take care of the "Widow's Lump Sum Benefit" of $255 and whatever death benefit there might be.  First of all, I asked the very sweet young woman who helped me about that ridiculous lump sum amount.  She did not know, but figured that must have been how much it used to cost to bury someone back in the day!  Well, my curiosity got the best of me, so I did a Google search and you can read about it here:  "The history of the Lump Sum Death Benefit."

I asked my Facebook family, friends and associates to pray about my meeting.  When I spoke originally with the gal who set up my appointment, she seemed to think I would have to take my SS payout since it is higher than Tim's amount.  I did NOT want to do that because mine will be considerably higher than it is now by the time I become of full retirement age at 66 + 2 months.  I had decided that IF I was going to be forced to take my amount rather than Tim's amount that I would not take either.  Since I will be living with my girls, I can probably get by with just the life insurance amount.

Well, for future reference to those of you who may come upon this same scenario in the future, just know that the gal I spoke with originally was incorrect.  I will receive Tim's payout and I can continue receiving it until I decide I want to change over to my payout, with age 70 being the latest time to switch over.  AND, not only that, with Tim's birthday being on the 18th of the month, I will receive the payout the 3rd Wednesday of the month, beginning.........wait for it........THIS Wednesday!  I was told it may be a few days late in being deposited to my bank account since we are up against the date, but she seemed to think I would have it by the end of the week at the latest!  Thank You, LORD!  You knew all of this before I ever started worrying about it!

Why do we do that?  Worry about things that we have no control over, anyway?  I told Gennifer (no, that is not misspelled) that I was so worried and I thanked her for the immediate calming effect she had upon me and thanked her for being so pleasant to work with in this sad process.  She immediately gave me her condolences when I sat down.  Looking back, I was so relieved about the outcome that I didn't even ask her if she was a Christian.  If I had to guess, just judging by her demeanor and pleasantness throughout the meeting, I would say she is.  I pray so.  I believe the Lord was in control of Gennifer being my calm in the storm!

Thank you all for your continued prayers for me in this journey of life!  It's not over until He says it's over!  Thank You, LORD, for your blessings on me!

Will Your Anchor Hold

1    Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

     

CHORUS

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

2    It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

3    It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

4    It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.