I think from now on I'll just title each blog entry as "Overwhelmed". While we've been at seminary, our mind has been blown at least once a week! God's provisions in this walk of our journey are truly AH-mazing!
I share things over and over again so that God will be glorified. I share our weaknesses, as embarrassing as they are, so that God can be glorified in our weakness. This one I'm going to share today may just possibly blow your mind as well. God truly is our Jehovah Jireh...the God who provides.
Michael had just returned from England. Three weeks of not working equals very little money in your bank account. We had a little saved up for a family trip to Arkansas to celebrate my momma's 70th birthday. Money or not, I would have found a way to get there to honor her on her special day! We spent a little over a week with family we haven't seen in over a year, and friends who pray for us and help support us along this crazy journey we are on. It was a week of refreshment, which we all desperately needed.
Long trips take money...a little more than we had. We ended up having to spend out of our savings, which is where Michael's book money is located...and classes start Monday! I had a 2 day drive home to praise God, to thank Him for our trip, and to ask for His provisions for a few needs our family had in the coming weeks. A few important needs we had on a zero bank account. I have learned to pray specifically for "needs". "Wants" occur occasionally, but God is honing us on what our "needs" really are. In my spirit, I felt at peace and felt God telling me just to wait until we get home and check the mail. For as I'm learning...He already had provisions set up long before I discovered I needed them.
About a year ago, we had closed out some credit cards, as we are trying to be obedient with waiting on God's provisions and not charging things we think we need right away. I have to admit, it's a little scary not to have that "safety net", even though it's not really a safety net. Know what I mean? Well, there on the table is an envelope from Bank of America. Michael opened it wondering what they could possibly want since we don't use them anymore. I'll quote exactly what the letter said...and I'll photograph it if you don't believe me.
"We have enclosed a check for you. We want you to know we appreciate your commitment to our country and pride ourselves on serving you. Based on a recent review of your account, we may not have provided you the level of service you deserve, and are providing you this check. There is nothing you need to do other than cash your check. Thank you for all you've done to serve and support our country."
$986.24
What credit card company reviews your account and feels they didn't give you the level of service you deserve and then gives money back to you?! And what about the timing of that? We sure needed that money RIGHT then! I can answer those questions with the simple answer...God. God is bigger, God is greater. Bigger than our looming financial needs, greater than any financial institution.
At present, our family is praying over a mission opportunity to Niger. The cost seems big, looming. Ebola on that continent seems scary and crazy for us to consider going. But God is bigger. God is greater. As soon as we commit, God will provide. After the check from Bank of America came in our time of need, Michael turned to me and said, "Are we done doubting yet?" Yes, Lord. In a thousand ways, Yes!
