Six months into a season of unemployment...it is hard to believe it has been that long. When James first lost his job, I thought FOR SURE he would be employed by September, but here we are heading to the holidays and no real job in sight. What is more amazing is the supernatural peace God has continued to envelop our family in.
I have been absolutely amazed at how God has continued to provide for my family. We are doing amazingly well. What a blessing this time has been for us to watch God at work in each of us. I have learned so much about the hand of God providing for our every need. God has faithfully kept His Word and promises.
I cling to His promises: Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. and Since ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. My God has been so faithful.
We have truly seen the principal of the fish and loaves manifest itself in our lives throughout this season. God told us almost a year ago to become extremely diligent in tithing and giving offerings to the Lord. I will be really honest and say it was one of the hardest things we have had to do. Money was so tight and we were living every bit paycheck to paycheck, but James and I made a commitment to become very obedient in this difficult area. The first five months of giving were not easy at all. It seemed like our finances were in worse shape than ever before, but we remained obedient. After the first five months of tithing and expecting God to give James a promotion because we had been faithful - the exact opposite happened and James lost his job instead. But then the miracles started to happen. We continued to tithe and amazingly our bank account had way more money in it then before. That was really cool. So we decided to start giving extra offerings on top of the tithe, and even more money was there. We were living out the fish and the loaves.
Just like the little boy who gave what he could give - some fish and bread - and Jesus turned it into enough food to feed thousands with food to spare. How is that possible? In our finite minds it isn't, but with God absolutely NOTHING is impossible.
This was happening with us, as we continued to give, God continued to keep the money in our account. It never empties, even though on paper it should have been empty - a long time ago.
I was reminded about the story of Elijah and the Widow. Elijah had prophesied that there would be famine in the land. During this time, Elijah ate well - bread and meat brought to him by all things, ravens. But then God told Elijah to move on and go to the next town and the widow woman there would provide food for him. As Elijah approached the widow, he asked for some water and she happily agreed to get it for him. He then also asked her for a piece of bread. She told him, "I only have enough flour in my jar and oil in my jug to make a very small loaf for my son and I and then we were surely die because there is no more left". Elijah told her to make him a small loaf first and then make bread for her and her son and there would be enough flour and oil for all of them. I wonder what that widow woman thought as she walked back to her home and proceeded to do as she was told. But guess what - every morning for two years while the drought and famine ravaged her land, she had enough flour in her jar and oil in her jug to make bread for her, her son AND Elijah. Although the jar and jug should have been emptied long ago, they never were. God provided.
I know that God delights in providing for us. He loves us, but He does want obedience and He wants our trust. I think it is also so very important to give to Him without fear and worry. Honestly, fear and worry is really just sin. It says to God, I know better than you and I really don't believe that You will do as You say and take care of me. Sometimes it is really hard to trust and believe, but God can't work if we bind ourselves to what WE think should happen (but that's a whole other post I need to write). For now, I love knowing that God is in charge and watching out for us and providing for us on a daily basis, just like the widow and Elijah.
So as we head forward, I anticipate with great excitement what happens next. James' job is coming soon - that I do know too - no idea where or when - but soon....
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