Miraculous was the best title I could think of for my post tonight. I've been thinking back to the past month about the miraculous things I have seen my Father do in our family, fulfilling His promise to take care of his children. We literally thought that we were going to be forced to have to move out of our apartment the end of October because we did not think we would have enough to pay the rest of our rent. But yet we continued to be obedient to Him, especially in the area of tithing. Father provided the rest of our rent money the same NIGHT that I found out that if we did not pay it we would have to be 'willfully' moved out or we would receive notice of eviction. The next DAY we receive an anonymous card in the mail that simply states 'God bless your family, I love you and God does too'; included in the envelope was $240 cash. Um hello....enough to pay our car payment!! Thank you Jesus!! The following weekend we receive another $250 gift from a family member; this was a harder one for me to receive because 'I' felt like they were just trying to 'fix' things for us. Father told me, receive the blessings I give to you, no matter who or where they come from. So, okay then! I freely receive!!
The biggie was just recently. Ken had received a phone call in regards to a potential job offer, that while it would have paid more than what he is currently making, still would not be 'enough' on paper. Even as Ken talked with this gentlemen on the phone about the job (who was basically ready to have Ken start in two days), I asked Father if this was the job that he was supposed to take. Even as I asked God the question I sensed in my spirit a huge N.O. Um okay God, but that really doesn't make sense. After Ken got off the phone he sat at the kitchen table trying to crunch the numbers, trying to see how much of a shortfall we would still have. I looked at him and asked him, 'what does your spiritual gut say?' He immediately closed his eyes and talked to Father, and he opened his eyes and I could tell he heard the same thing without him even saying anything. He told me before he even uttered 2 words of the question he heard God tell him also, N.O.
So okay, passing up an opportunity to make a little bit more money for our family seems like a crazy, and yes I'll say it, stupid idea. But God's ways are higher than our ways. A few days after this phone conversation, we receive yet another envelope in the mail. We don't recognize the return address, and all that is included is a note signed by 'someone who cares', and included with it, $500 cash. WHAT?!? Our November rent is paid!! All I can think of is the verse in Psalm 8 that asks God "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them??" Father I am nothing, we are nothing but mere men. But yet you love us and adore us and want to take care of us. We still have other bills that are ready to be paid, doctor's visits that need to happen, but God has provided us a sycamore tree to climb up into to show us that He's IN this season we're walking through, that we're not doing it alone.
I truly believe He's preparing us for something. Although I don't know what that something is, it is cool to see how He wants to use us in the here and now. He has developed a passion in both Ken and I for those less fortunate, specifically orphans and families, and my heart aches for those who need to have their practical needs met. I can sit all day and complain about my 'lack' when there are those in third world countries (or right here in our country, in our very same town for that matter) who live lacking of the basic needs each day.
It's also cool to see how He's developing the same servant's heart in my daughter Hannah. We just recently we invited to serve some elderly ladies at a spa night at a local elderly apartment building. They got to enjoy a wonderful dinner and be pampered and we got the priviledge of their company as we talked, laughed and smiled together. What was most amazing to me that night was Hannah. I am sure I grinned from ear to ear all night as I saw her gifts come flooding out that night. She loved on those ladies, cleared their plates, talked to them, took song requests for the live pianist/singer during dinner, swept up for the hairdresser (and earned $1!!), put leftover cookies into containers for them, rubbed their backs while talking to them, and just sat and listened as they were able to tell Hannah stories of their youth. I watched her and told God, "okay, I did not do this, Father this is all you, use this girl!!" I am so excited to see what Father has in store for our family, but especially this little girl (and eventually Mikayla too, as the years speed by!!) Here is a picture of Hannah taking some time to visit and listen to one of the residents, Gloria, share stories with her. This just makes my heart smile.
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