I used to love a song called The Master of Miracles.

Here are the lyrics:

The Master of Miracles is Jesus.

The Sovereign who rules the night and day.

His hand controls the world which He created.

So everything on earth must then obey.

For Jesus is the Master of Miracles; His gentle voice can still the raging sea.

There’s no problem too great for His mighty power.

He can break every chain and set us free. 

 From the first day I knew we were going to face this incarceration, God spoke to my heart that James and I would be fine.

Every time that I feel worried about money, a still small voice speaks to my heart and says, “My God shall supply all your need.”

Many days, I repeat that verse over and over. God has promised to meet our needs.

He has done so in many ways over and over.

I have been blessed by the giving of so many of you in the past. (You know who you are!)

Every email, every link you share with me, ever box you’ve mailed to me,  or donation you’ve sent has been a wonderful blessing. God has used you each time to remind me that he is in control and that he will provide for me.

These past couple days have been another test for me.
Will I trust God or will I worry?

I had been praying for an air conditioner. Then my sister and her husband left me money when they went home. I thought I’d have to use it for bills though.

I was also praying for money to buy tires–they are getting bald.

I prayed for money to pay my bills in June.

Retail stinks in Jan/Feb and June/July. It does every year. This January didn’t just stink, it was horrible . I am still recovering from that. March and April were better, May was ok. It’s just not been enough to dig out of the hole and get ahead.

Now, we’re in June and the store has been slow again.

Yesterday, I checked my bank balances against the bills I need to pay.

I can sum it up in 2 words.

“Not enough.” 

I prayed yesterday that God would help me trust. I prayed for his provision and I prayed for customers.

As the day dragged on, I kept praying. The day ended with a total sales figure of $3.98.

YUCK! (Today was better but not by much.)

I said, “Ok God. I don’t know why I prayed for customers and you didn’t send them. I don’t know what your plan is, but you know what we need. Please help me to trust you to provide.”

I praise God that I didn’t turn into a sniveling sinner. Railing at God for not doing what I want him to do is a temptation I have to fight against.

I got home and checked my emails.

“Hi Lizzie, You were clearly laid on my heart this morning before I got out of bed.  God must have been thinking of you and knowing you need a gift!  That’s what He laid on my heart.  I talked to my husband, and he agreed.  Something is coming your way shortly.  ”

 I found a gift from one of my readers. I sent her an email to tell her my story of the day I’d just spent. I thanked her and told her her gift was a reminder that God is providing for me.

 She emailed me back excited to see how God had worked through her. She asked me “How much more would you need to cover the bills completely? “

I told her I had been ignoring totaling up that figure! But if she truly wanted to know I’d email her in the morning.

She said that she did want to know. Then she shared with me about her little boy praying for James and Lee and I. What a blessing to know that other children are praying for and loving us. Her son asked when Lee can come home and she told him that God knows and he has a plan. Her son was happy to know and trust that God knows.

I will tell you that emailing someone I don’t know how much my bills are was a weird feeling.

I do NOT like asking for help. I do NOT like even needing help. My pride has had to be surrendered repeatedly throughout this trial.

However, I have a new little rule. I do not turn down blessings!

I went to work today confident that God was taking care of us.

The store was super slow again. The total between the last 2 days is laughable.

My Dad did call today to say he wanted to pay for 2 of my tires for the car. When he was here he had noticed they were bad.

When I got home and settled in for the night, I checked my email.

This lady and her husband sent me a gift that has left me speechless. I had a clue that their gift was going to be sizable since they had asked what my bills were. When I opened the email, I just sat there in shock.

She said, “So praise our precious Father for His lavish care, and pay all those bills.    Use anything that’s left for whatever you may need … or something nice to treat yourself (that’s what I would do if I lived close to you!).”

I can’t believe it! I am able to pay for all my bills in June.
I can use my sister’s gift for an air conditioner.

The tires I prayed for are provided.

Sometimes when God blesses me so magnificently all at once,  I almost can’t take it in.

I am so in awe of a God that sees and cares for every little thing we need.

You and I are not too small. We are deeply loved and cared for.

Lee “happened” to call tonight.

I was able to share with him about Dad buying my tires and this gift from someone that doesn’t know us.

He said, “Wow. I don’t know what to say. Just wow.”

We both said that there will be no more complaining about manna.

You all are officially invited to smack me next time I say I’m worried about money.

There is no room in my life anymore for doubting God’s care and provision. There shouldn’t have been in the first place right?

These bills and things I needed felt like an insurmountable mountain.

But for God? They are nothing.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you and praise you for your love and provision. Today I was reminded again how wonderful you are. I almost still can’t  believe how marvelously you’ve provided for us today. I am in shock and in awe that while I looked at these bills and things I needed as almost too big to handle, you already had a plan.

I thank you for each person that has sent us a gift. I am amazed always at the generosity of your people.

Please God, bless them for their giving spirit. Bless them and their families ten fold what they have blessed me with.

Please help me to be a wise steward with all of your blessings and gifts.

Thank you Lord for showing yourself might in my life today.

I love you.

Amen 

 

Filed under: Encouragement, God's Provision | 9 Thoughts Shared »