First, a little history. As you may remember, Tim's salary is less this year than it was last year. On paper, we're operating in the red. In actuality, the Lord has provided everything we've needed and blessed us with some of the fluff of life too. So, all is well.
We plan on re-evaluating things once we know if Tim will be impacted by budget cuts next year. Until then, the Lord has covered us and we're packing away every spare penny we have. It's not a lot of spare pennies, but we're being as responsible as we can.
Flash forward to a few weeks ago. I'd noticed that the boys needed new underwear and shoes. It's wasn't an emergency, but definitely something I needed to get in the near future. It's been in the back of my mind, but I haven't really done anything about it. Plus, I didn't want to dip into our tiny reserves unless it was unavoidable.
Flash forward again. We've been reading about George Mueller for school. Every time I read about him I'm challenged to trust the Lord more than I already do. So, as I was folding laundry two days ago, I asked the Lord to provide shoes and underwear in such a way that I'd know he was the one who had met the need. I even had a dollar amount in mind. Obviously, he'd still be the one meeting the need if the money came from our savings. After all, he provided the savings account. But I really wanted clear provision for that specific need or a peace about using our reserves for it.
Now, backtrack again. A week or so ago I posted something on Craigslist for $7. The person who wanted it lived in Vancouver and offered to include postage in the cost if we'd mail the item to them. No problem. We shipped it off at the end of last week.
And now for what rendered me speechless (a miracle, if you know me at all). Today's mail included an envelope from the person we'd sold the item too.
It had cash in it.
Far more than $7 and postage.
Enough for shoes and underwear for the boys.
The exact dollar amount I'd had in mind.
We've been blessed financially many times before, but never by a complete stranger. They included a note saying the Lord wanted them to bless us and they were happy to do so. Amazing.
10 comments:
I read your post and I'm crying. The Lord is GOOD!
This post was God's perfect timing. We have experienced a huge financial testing of our faith. To make a long story short, we are paying ALL my recent medical bills, hospitalization, surgeries, etc, out of pocket--or rather out of savings. I admit, and the Lord showed me, that our savings had become an idol for me. Well, God "burned" it to the ground in a matter of days. His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always the best. And so, it is back to trusting God first and not my idol called "savings."
Praise God! That is a great story.
~Luke
Oooh! I got goosebumps. :) God is so good.
awesome testimony of God's provision!
Isn't God amazing? That gave me shiverbumps. :o) Thank you for sharing, Bethany. God is good.
This is so awesome! Thanks for sharing.
I can completely relate! The Lord DOES provide and he provides for the things through both believers AND non believers!
We have had complete strangers from a Diner hand us a $100 bill once in the middle of nowhere on our way to Oregon from Illinois after going through some really really rough times. I shared with a woman in the bathroom who was newly dealing with the dramatic effects of a physical disease just how good God is, and how no matter what is happening in your life- having God on your side is always going to be the best team. We exchanged maybe a few sentences before both leaving to go to our cars, and she somehow in the period of time we went from the bathroom to our car had her husband hand us some money and say, "Someday, you will do this for someone else. God bless!"
I think my husband and I sat in the front seat for five minutes dead still before even looking at the amount. We had just been discussing how we were all going to eat our next meal and stay in a hotel just an hour before will nothing much left to travel on.
If you are faithful, he will also use you! That is such a testimony girly!
You've encouraged me twice in the last week or so. First with your comment (and much needed reminder) that it is better to give than to receive. And then this post about God's faithfulness- a great reminder that sometimes He's just waiting for His children to ASK Him for what they need!
Absolutely true. God is SOOOO good!!!
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