humbly embarrassing
Money’s been tight lately. We basically have to learn to live on one income right now. That’s not all that easy concerning our bills are more than Alyson’s bi-weekly income. So we’ve done what everybody else in this situation would do – PRAY.
We’ve been praying like crazy. For me to get a job. For the church plant to start-up smoothly. For us to find more ways we can cut back on our living expenses. You name it, and we’ve pretty much prayed for it.
Well, yesterday was an emotional day for us. We received $800 in the mail!!! We had no idea that this was going to happen, but what a humbling surprise! This may not sound like a big deal to you, but we had $1300 in checking, and $2000 worth of bills to pay.
By the Lord’s great love and mercy we were able to pay our bills and actually have $100 left over. I’m not saying this is always going to happen. I pray it doesn’t have to happen ever again, but for now Alyson and I are floating on cloud nine. Thank you two friends who were sensitive to the Holy Spirits nudging. Most importantly, thank you Jesus!
I just wanted to share this little story with you all to remind you that even when times are hard, Jesus is going ahead of you – preparing a way, stirring the hearts, and unveiling His master plan.
That is awesome. So good to hear.
Reminds me of something that happened to me a couple of months ago.
I literally had no money and needed to pay some stuff off, I was worried about what was going to happen and how I was going to make any money.
The next day I got a call from a lady at our church asking if I would teach drum lesson for the music acadamy at the church? 2 months later I am up to 6 lessons and able to save some money and be okay. Cool how that stuff works out.
This is one of the ways that God stretches our faith…and smiles on us when He watches it grow!!! I can’t tell you how many times something similar has happened in our 21 yrs of marriage…including 4 job losses in 5 yrs and 7 yrs of being sole proprietor of a computer repair company.
I’m glad that you shared this with us…I am happy to rejoice with you and Alyson in this blessing! He has you right where He wants you…in His care!!!
you’re a drummer!? dude. what can you not do?
it really amazes me how this kind of stuff happens. i feel like i hear of similar stuff that happens at least semi-regularly. it had just never happened to me before.
Mathew that is such a blessing. Marc and I have been living off of one income our entire maried life.
Some how God has continued to provide (we didn’t always have the luxuries, but we had everything we needed). We have been amazed by his grace and mercy for us. We honestly should not be making it, and last year when he was laid off we didn’t think we would. But in the 6 months that he has been doing his own business (something people told him to do a while ago) we have still been able to pay our bils and have some afterwards. Sometime we have to learn to lean on him and less on our own thinking.
That’s awesome!! I am right there with you. I am waaayy underemployed (teaching 2 classes at a community college in Cleburne, TX and an ad change job that the hours vary every week – usually around 10-12 hours for the first 2 weeks and then 5 the 3rd week and then none the 4th week). I did get a teaching gig to teach the 2nd 8 weeks at another community college. Of course I don’t get paid from that til the end of April and then the end of May. So ummm yeah right there with ya – not exactly sure how April rent is getting paid. I did tell someone to pray about my March rent and he wrote me a check for the full amount of my rent.
I have been in this place a few other times. It is amazing to see how God works. Not easy. And trivia – I am a drummer as well (percussionist is what I like to say lol)
Wow, the Lord is good.
For me, when we were in this exact situation of stepping out by faith, the first year I got the money in advance. The second I had to wait a little longer (Just in time…every time) It is a stretching time. God always rewards that time with His peace! Praying for you my friend.
That’s great! Thanks for sharing.
@matt, ya it has never really happened to me as well.
I love this story about Hudson Taylor.
He was a medical assistant that was training to go over to China to be a missionary. He was living in a very small apartment and was down to literally no money. He had not been paid for his work for the last 7 months but refused to say anything to the doctor he worked for. One day he was walking home trying to figure out how he was going to make his last couple of bucks stretch out to buy food and pay for rent. Suddenly he was woken from his thinking by a frantic man asking for help for him and his family. the man had 4 kids and no money and was trying to get some food. Hudson gave all of his money to the man and went home with nothing. He decided that instead of asking the doctor for money he would become dependent on God taking care of him. The day before his rent was due the doctor asked him if he had been paid recently, Hudson said no and the doctor told paid him for the last 7 months and then some.
I paraphrased a lot of the story, but it was cool to see his faith in that situation.
yes he is ashley!
thank you ron. i appreciate your friendship. and your comment!
that’s an awesome story kyle. where did you hear/read it?
cyndi, it amazes me how God is always faithful. always.
You know Matt, without knowing you would be writing this I wrote “Been Burned” http://patsycostner.blogspot.com/2010/03/been-burned.html I believe that we thing that the road is not going to be tough and sometimes we, believers, think that we’ve been burned in the sense that we cannot see God at work, when he is at work all the time. We believe by placing our trust and faith in the One who is the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. I too thank God for providing for those who chose to share with you and Alyson. God indeed is faithful.
Just as God told you to walk away, He will tell others to lend a hand. What you need to keep in mind is that if they offer a hand, let them help or you may be denying them their God given assignment.