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Faith Builder’s Meme – Thankful Giving

November 6, 2006 by Janice

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Faith Builders

Today Heather asked us if we have a story of giving that has touched our lives deeply. As I thought about what to write, this memory came to mind…

We were young, newly married and poor. Due to my health problems, I was not working. I used every scrap of energy I could find to volunteer with a discipleship youth ministry and to meet with teens for a Bible study in a local high school. My husband, who is now an electrician, was just starting out with his apprenticeship and schooling. We lived on his small salary as well as a monthly gift from my generous and supportive parents.

As winter approached, my husband and I looked at our old hand-me-down cars with a bit of concern. With my volunteering and Phil’s work, we needed both of our vehicles. The tires on both cars were giving out. We needed new tires and that was not going to fit into our budget.

One day my Dad stopped in for a visit. He had just returned from a trip (he was a Christian speaker who traveled extensively speaking,) and had a surprise for us. He handed me an envelope. An older gentleman, a friend of my father’s, had come to him and slipped it into his hand saying that he hoped I wouldn’t be offended, but the Lord had put it on his heart to give it to me.

My father was very surprised. This man knew of my poor health, but did not know me personally. My Dad thanked him and told him he didn’t need to do such a generous thing, but assured him that I would not be offended.

I was in shock as my Dad passed me the gift. How unexpected and incredibly kind! (I know it is not proper to discuss money – but I must tell you the amount so that you can understand my total awe.) I carefully opened the envelope. In it was a check for $3000. Yes – all of our jaws dropped open.

My Dad had had no idea how much the check was for. He had brought it unopened to me and the man had never mentioned how much he was giving me. We all just stood there, not quite knowing what to do. How could this man send me a check for so much money without any reason or request!?! He knew so little about me or my life and yet he felt led to write me a check for more money than my husband earned in two months!

Yes, that gift got us through the winter. We were able to get new tires and pay all our bills. We had no financial stress at all.

But most of all, that gift told me that our generous and attentive Lord was looking after me. I felt like the crook of the staff was safely leading me, and the Shepard knew and cared about my needs.

A year later, I went into ministry with Youth for Christ. Again the Lord provided for our needs and more. Through the faithfulness of his people, I was able to raise the funds for my salary, plus the costs of my programs. There was always money for camp scholarships and trip fees. The kids in our programs, who all came from low income homes, never had to stay home because there wasn’t enough money. His faithfulness was incredible. And when I left my ministry to stay at home, I left behind a large surplus that went to other programs and to camp scholarships.

Having grown up in a ministry family and then going into ministry myself, I can tangibly see that everything that I have is from the Lord. He has looked after my earthly needs every day of my life.

And yet, I am ashamed to say, I often still worry about money. What if my husband gets injured and can’t work. What if my illness gets bad again and we need to hire help. What if, what if, what if…the ever present questions of a worrier!

How ridiculous, isn’t it!?! I think God must want to scream at me sometimes and say, “Have you not learned anything about me! I know your needs and I will look after you.”

When I hear him reminding me of his faithfulness, I repent and thank him. He is so faithful and good. And I give him thanks.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33

Interactive Faith Builders is a Monday meme at “Faith Lifts”. Click here to join in today’s discussion and don’t forget to sign in to let others know to visit your post.

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About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. She's been working online since 2003 and is thankful her days are full of social media, writing and photography.

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6 Comments

  1. Dawn ;) says

    November 9, 2006 at 1:46 am

    I just wanted to say thank you for the reminder to trust Him in all things. I’ve been struggling w/our finances and the desire to stay home ~ my dh really doesn’t make enough for our current standard of living. I started working last year to help and now I am almost entrenched and recently started another pt job to spend up payoff of our bills. I know all this and yet I still struggle w/letting go in this area though I desparately desire to be at home.
    He has never failed me either and His provisions are always more abundant than whatever I could work to make. Please pray for me as I take this step of faith and stay at home until all my dc are grown.
    ~ Be Blessed ~

    Reply
  2. claire says

    November 8, 2006 at 5:45 pm

    I sure needed your faith-building today. I finished a draft for a blog post on counting blessings, left my desk and went straight into “what-if” worry mode, which, of course, throws blessing-counting right out the window. Something told me to check out your site (I usually don’t read blogs till evenings.) “Something,” as usual, turns out to be God providing, today it was via your writings. Thank you for reminding me to trust, Janice.

    Reply
  3. Heidi says

    November 7, 2006 at 12:20 am

    Beautiful Janice! I catch myself doing those “what if’s” too and am always so grateful that He ALWAYS provides!

    Reply
  4. Deanna says

    November 7, 2006 at 12:17 am

    God has done miraculous things like this in our lives too over the years – times when our family should not have been able to survive on our miniscule income but God made it work and we’ve never had to go without any necessity. Sure, we’ve had to adjust how we defined necessity sometimes but truly cable tv NEEDED to come out of that category!!
    It would be far too long of a comment to tell you of the times God has blessed us in our need in such HUGE ways!
    I wouldn’t dare ever try to claim that we deserved any of it – it is only because of His grace that He has poured out blessing upon blessing in our lives!
    But the realistic picture has to include the fact that those were hard years, hard lessons learned and hard times of our faith truly being tested. But we always found Him to be faithful and trustworthy!!
    We too have had our moments of questions and doubts even now after witnessing first hand the huge miracles He has performed for us over the years…even now. But still we’ve found Him faithful…also patient lol ….but EVER faithful!!!

    Reply
  5. Mary says

    November 6, 2006 at 10:28 pm

    Whta an awesome message! Thanks for sharing that. I am a worrier too, and it does seem silly when you take a step back and look at it.

    Reply
  6. Erna says

    November 6, 2006 at 7:35 pm

    What a beautiful testimony of God’s provision. Bless you and God bless the man who obeyed His direction. :0)

    Reply

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