We started the Advent Challenge because of a STRONG desire to focus on GIVING this holiday season and teaching our kids the REAL joy that comes from loving others. We have been praying to be so filled with God's love that it also POURS out of us, overflowing like a tidal wave to those around us. Each night we have focused on giving and the true meaning of Christmas and I can tell you that my heart has never felt such joy and excitement for the Christmas season. I am brought to tears DAILY as I see God working. His hand is upon our family and He is so good.
Tuesday, I had a tough day. I woke up in kind of a funk and realized Howard had a snow day. I was glad that I would have some help around here. Then he decided it would be best if he went to work with his dad (who does construction) to earn a little extra money since we are behind on some bills due to a HUGE dental bill from the kids that insurance didn't cover. So off he went, and here I sat...feeling sorry for myself asking God why we have to struggle so much. I got the kids their breakfast and sat down myself with my daily devotional. My verse for the day was this:
"You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; He will also hand Moab over to you." 2 Kings 3:17-18
The devotional went on to talk about how often time to human reason, what God is about to do seems impossible, but that nothing is too difficult for Him. I closed the book (Streams in the Desert, the BEST devotional ever) and got the bill basket to write out a few bills. There just wasn't enough money. I called and used phone banking to balance our checking account and not only was there not nearly enough money for the bills, but there was nothing left to get the rest of the Christmas stuff we wanted to get for the kids. I sighed, cried, and cleaned up breakfast.
Once I got the kids working on a project I sat down again, determined to make SOME type of progress in our finances. We have been trying SOOOO hard...committing ourselves to getting us out of debt and cutting ALL extras, and yet it seems like we are NO farther ahead. The previous verse came back into my head and I again sat down to check our checkbook.
This is where I began to sob. This time when I checked the account there was more money, I am NOT EVEN KIDDING. I tried and tried to figure out where this extra money had come from. It didn't say. So I checked my email and found that one of the most precious people I know had been prompted that morning to deposit money into my paypal account, simply to bless us. Words could not even begin to thank her for the hope she gave to me that morning. I have no idea why I am continually surprised when God comes through. He IS true to His word. He is, and yet I was still stunned. He is so good. We have been so blessed. This is just ONE story of how he is working through our family this week...there are more...I have seriously been brought to tears (not too hard I know) daily, sometimes multiple times when I see how he is answering our prayers and drawing near.
I feel like the more we give and focus on giving, the more loved WE feel. The more JOY He brings into our lives, I am just overwhelmed right now with gratitude, joy and peace. I haven't felt this in quite sometime and it is a welcome change. I had no idea that just praying for Him to draw near would prove so powerful or that giving would give US so much joy.
How is the Advent Challenge going for you...perhaps tonight, you should pray for Him to draw near...I am telling you, you won't be sorry. He is here...right here and he REALLY does make the impossible possible.
6 comments:
That gave me God bumps. Only God can be right on time with what we need! He is so good to provide al that we need when we need it down to the penny most times! I am very happy you were blessed!
This was so beautiful, Kristy. God is so good. All the time.
That is so absolutely wonderful!!! He is so good to us :)
Oh that is sweet. We are a lot alike in the lack of funds dept. I just sold my wedding ring for cash. It's not that bad! i wasn't attached to it. It wasn't the one that was placed on my finger on my wedding day. After five kids my fingers won't allow that one on anymore. LOL But He does provide and I wanted to share with you a gift He gave us this Christmas.
Here it is:
We were wiped out in March by a flood. We lost all our bedrooms downstairs. We were not able to replace everything. My girlfriend was over in October and saw that things were not that good. no beds! So she quietly passed the word along and some wonderful people produced a new bed for my husband and I, a crib mattress for Emmie, carpets for our lower level and get this, as word spread it kind of snowballed and we were "adopted" for Christmas by these generous people and a Church.We literally have no money. I have change on my windowsill and that is it. There would have been NOTHING under the tree this year. We threw every penny into our last mortgage payment.
I tell you this to give you hope! And also to remind myself that He will never leave us. His plan is airtight. We will be safe in His care even when things look hopeless, He is always working on our behalf.
keeping you in my prayers.
Hope is getting so big! She is just beautiful! God Bless
Love the story! God truly is faithful!
I've been married more than a few years but in our early years of marriage the paycheck just wasn't very big at all and there was a school loan to pay off with the house & car payments and other living expenses. My husband would hand me the money to pay the bills. And it was a paltry sum.
I used to look at it and pray to God that I didn't know how in the world it could cover the bills and could He somehow stretch it and He did do that EVERY single time! Praise His name! There was never anything left over for extras (I did shop for the kids clothes at yard sales) but the bills got paid and almost always, on time. Isn't God wonderful??
First and foremost though, above all other bills, tithe MUST be paid. Always. No excuses. Always. If we are faithful to God, He will be faithful to us! I have found that to be true.
i am a new mother. my daughter is 3 weeks old as of yesterday. your posts give me goos bumps and much needed guidence. I have recently come in to a finacial crunch, and I have done nothing but pray that I'll be able to pay the bills on time and still have enough money to eat. so far I've been able to make ends meet but it's been hard. I've been on maternity leave since the first week of december and I didn't have my daughter till the week of Christmas, and i'm not able to go back to work till the end of February. your posts give me strength and insight on the joys of motherhood and life in general thanks for the encouraging words.
from one mother to another,
thanks always!
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