more faith. . .
A friend of ours told us a story this week of faith and God's provision. The story gave me a sense of amazement with God's power and with His intimate involvement in the lives of His children. But, I also should confess a hint of jealousy and insecurity.
Our friend found out that she was required to have health insurance for an extended mission trip she will be taking in less than 2 weeks. While God had provided the necessary funds to pay for the trip, no money was left to pay for the new insurance need. Our friend began to wonder if she might not be able to participate in the trip. Shortly after discovering the new need, she was praying at work when a name came to her mind. The name was of an elderly woman at her church. Our friend felt as if God was telling her to pray that this woman would pay for the insurance needed for her trip. Later that evening when the friend got home from work, her brother ran to the door to give her the good news that the woman had called earlier and felt that God was leading her to help financially with the exact amount required for the insurance. The entire need was taken care of. She prayed a very specific prayer, and God answered. *if the friend is reading this, please feel free to correct any inaccuracies in your story.
You may doubt the validity of this story. My mind definitely goes there first. But I believe our friend - I've seen God do some amazing things in her life. Yet, why do some people see God in this way and others do not? I'm still gathering my thoughts on this subject. I hope to write more about it soon.
If you're reading this and you have a similar story (of your own or someone you know) please post a comment. I'd love to hear a few more.
posted by Jason Slack at 5:14 PM
5 Comments:
I recall a time when some people were in need of a simple role to be filled. This role had been left empty as two of the previous members left at the same time. From what I was told, this group prayed for someone to step up and fill that role and the next day (or at least within the week)some kid who had been wondering what God might have planned for the upcoming year met leader of this group and was thrilled just to be asked. - I think you've got some stories of your own Mr. Slack.
11:16 PM
Thanks for the reminder. That's a great story.
11:42 PM
Your post reminds me of the miracle of our daughter, Olivia. We had been living in Amsterdam for almost one year when we suffered through a miscarried pregnancy; it was just at the beginning of our first holiday season abroad (I vividly remember the miscarriage happening around Thanksgiving). So as we slogged through one of our worst rounds of culture shock and homesickness, we also were saddled with the emotional difficulties of a lost pregnancy. That was a very dark and gray winter for us.
But God was good, even through the trials. Around January of that year, we found out that we were pregnant again (which is a pretty quick turn-around after a miscarriage)! That winter still stands out in my memory as an extremely difficult time... but the spring and the summer were an absolutely glorious reminder of God's love and goodness.
Our daughter was born on September 21, 2004. We named her Olivia, in symbolic reference to the olive leaf that the dove brought back to Noah after the terrible flood that had destroyed the earth (Genesis 8:11). She is a very real and tangible reminder of God's peace, renewal, and restoration of hope.
3:33 AM
Hey
When Mark and I were in our first year of the journey (the 80-81 school year) I grew and flourished partly as a result of the testomonies of the "saints of the church" around me.
One Sunday evening that winter (this must be why that second service is important :) !) I prayed that God would give me a faith story of our own. On Tuesday of that week Mark was laid off from his job as a carpenter!
We had enough savings - total - for one house payment. We had a variable interest rate loan that in that era ran about 12%. Suddenly, for no reason (this stressor was not announced), people in the church began having us for dinner, etc. and hiring Mark to do small paid jobs around their houses. We got about 1/2 of his income from unemployment insurance. I don't know what happened but at the end of that month, when Mark went back to work - we had not touched the savings and all the bills were up to date.
Then there's the story of our starting to tithe but that's for another day...:)
PS can you figure out who middle aged blogger is?
12:51 PM
I know exactly who you are! Thanks for the encouraging story and for taking time to read my thoughts and questions.
7:57 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home