It was Friday afternoon. I was sitting in our office talking
with my husband while forming our plans for the weekend and conversing about
the day. My phone rings. I wasn’t
prepared for the conversation that would transpire over the next few minutes,
so I was glad I was already sitting down.
If you have read my blog the Lord has been taking me on this
uncharted journey; pulling me out of the American Dream lifestyle and planting
me in the “Take up your cross daily and follow me,” one. In that journey we have set plans in faith
alone to coordinate a missions trip to an orphanage in Jamaica over the
upcoming Christmas break (anyone interested there are still spots open…message
me). I first talked with the girls at
Whooptidoos, the little eatery we run in town.
One of the girls was ecstatic and said yes I want to go and bring my
kids. Awesome!
A little back story, this is a single mom with two
kids. She works a total of four jobs
which are her sole means of income. She does not skip a beat as a mom and
sacrificially gives her kids every opportunity she can. Not only that but she
is a giver and the first one to step up when someone needs a hand. She did not know financially how it would
work out for her and her family but in faith she said yes. Her enthusiasm did not waiver only grew in
the coming weeks as I would get texts about her looking on the website and
dreaming about the kids. Her son received $10.00 as a Valentine’s gift and he
gave it to his mom to put in their fund.
She was beginning to rub off on everyone around her in such a great way
including me who would tend to dream big about doing this and then be
overwhelmed at all the details. Each
time I think this is way too big for me sure enough a text arrives in my inbox
like “I’m planning a garage sale to raise money for our Jamaica trip!” SWEET!
So the phone call on Friday was this hardworking- give- her -all
single mom who had a story to tell. She
said, “Joy you’re not going to believe this I am in shock I can’t believe this
just happened!” She was fighting back
tears and excitement and trying to be able to communicate between the emotion
and elation of the good news she was about to share. She proceeded to tell me that she had come to
the conclusion that if they were going to be able to go on the mission trip to
Jamaica she was going to have to take on another job, things were just getting tight
and that was the only solution she could think of to fulfill her passion to go
in December.
Until….
She arrived home from work that afternoon to find a package
waiting for her to open. The contents of
the package revealed two thousand dollars in cash from an anonymous soul! Her next words with happy tears were, “We’re
going to Jamaica, I don’t have to get another job!”
We reveled at the awesomeness of this very specifically
personal miracle God had allowed to come into her life together in shock and
awe and sheer delight!
With this woman’s permission I am compelled to share this delightful
story of good news and great hope because on so many levels it speaks.
1)
Webster City, Iowa….The God of all creation is
STILL very much alive and working in the heart beat of our community! This is good news! Life is hard. Everything
does not always work out as planned or the way we want, that is the reality of
living life in a fallen world filled with sin. But there is hope. When we step out in faith alone believing in
someone bigger than our self, bigger than our abilities and resources that is
when God can show himself in mighty ways to you, to me, to a mama who wants to
give to others and be an example to her kids. There is a scripture verse that
sums it up pretty well…”For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the
whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward
him.” -2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
2)
When we give what we don’t have God
provides. Having the honor to watch this
woman being willing to go and give when she herself has need reminded me of the
parable Jesus told about the widow’s mite…” Sitting across from the offering
box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of
the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two
small coins—only two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The
truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others
put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave
extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all." -Mark 12:41-44(MSG)
It is easy for me to give things I no longer need or will not miss. But when you ask me to give up something “I can’t
live without” I squirm. Have you ever
stepped out giving of your time, resources, money or talents and it costs you
something, something that you did not know how you would do without? How did God provide? Is God calling you to do that in your life
now? Maybe it’s giving up your fight of
keeping God at a distance and surrendering to him realizing he is the Good King
you need to rule your life in this really hard world. Be like the widow and give your all, your
everything. Life will not be perfect.
God is not a genie in a bottle that you can rub on as needed to get your
wishes met. He is however the best
provider, sustainer, and fulfiller of dreams you will ever know…try him!
3)
GOD IS LOVE and he allows us meager humans to
show his love. In so many ways this story shows God’s love. The anonymous giver who generously out of
love gave to a single mom looking for nothing in return and no recognition. The
single mom who out of love can’t wait to get her hands dirty, roll up her sleeves,
love on and care for little ones who do not have a mama that does that. God’s love for me when I doubt that I can do
great things for him. He by the means of others actions make a statement of “Follow
me, I got this, you are not alone!”, and hopefully sends a love message of
encouragement to you in your life where you are at right now that will
strengthen your faith or encourage you to believe for the first time.
………LIFE
IS HARD….GOD IS GOOD…ALL THE TIME…….
BTW HERE IS AN AWESOME VIDEO OF THOSE SWEET BABIES WE ARE GONNA LOVE ON!
(click on this link and watch the you tube video)
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