Luke 17:6
“And the Lord answered, ‘If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.'”
Mustard seed faith is truly an amazing thing to have, and I have learned that, this past month and especially this past weekend.
Here is the blog I said I would write about my fundraising update! I have to brag about what a good, good Father God is. And when reading this, remember, this is not bragging about myself because it would’ve been impossible for me to do on my own. This is something only God could do, and if you have faith…as small as a mustard seed…He can do the same for YOU!
Around a month ago, I got laid off from my job. I was working in the oil and gas business as an Independent Contractor and there was a massive job cut in that field due to the low gas prices. Good for just about everyone besides the people in this field, haha.
I had amazing peace about it, though. I had a feeling it was coming for me, and I believe God was getting my heart ready for it. As an independent contractor, you make GOOD money, so my job was my biggest fundraiser. It was my main means of support. In November, I moved back in with my parents to start preparing to save money for the world race, so I only had my car payment, car insurance, phone bill, and a couple other things to take care of monthly.
Well-back when I got my car, my dad recommended that I started paying double payments…not even knowing at that time I would be going on the World Race or losing my job. And Praise God-I am paid up until at least 4-5 months after I get OFF of the World Race on my car!!! WOOHOO! GO GOD! And this past weekend, my Nan offered to pay for my phone bill while I am AWAY on the WR. I’m just blown away at the goodness of God and the kindness of my family, friends and strangers.
I haven’t even gotten to the coolest part yet.
Out of any month of raising money, we’ve raised the MOST money this past MONTH! When I lost my job, I gained more time preparing for the race and focusing on God. Through making like a thousand pepperoni rolls, with the help of Jean Hoffman, my chiropractor, donating 20% of money of a test she performs to the race, to speaking about the race, and so on and so forth…just in March….we fundraised around $5,428. Yes, you read that right. $5,428. If that isn’t God….I don’t know what is. That isn’t even counting the fact that my parents decided to give $200 a month until January…or the fact that a church I went to this past weekend decided to give $300 a month until January….
Speaking of that church I went to this past weekend….it’s the church I went to until I was about 12 or 13 when my family moved. I thought at that church, we would raise about $400-$500 and that would be FANTASTIC. I had mustard seed faith, and with that mustard seed faith….God pulled that mulberry tree up and planted it in the sea….
As a church, they gave a $1,000 one time donation and decided to give $300 monthly until January…and the pastor didn’t stop there….he took an actual offering from the congregation. And all of that equaled up to around $1,500. So, from just this Sunday…around $5,200 was raised. That’s counting the $300 that they committed to give monthly.
I am still blown away. I’m overwhelmed by the goodness of God and the body of Christ. I don’t have words to express how thankful I am.
Before I went up to speak on Sunday morning, I was so nervous. I had a PowerPoint ready and everything…but I still kept thinking about what I should say exactly. I believe I kept feeling God say, “Meraia, stop trying to control the situation. Stop trying to come up with what YOU would say. Let me speak through you.” So I decided to do my best to get my mind to slow down, and just trust God. And wow, He showed up.
He showed up big.
So, the month of March taught me that God is a provider even when you don’t have a job, when trust in Him, and you work your mustard seed faith.
I encourage all of you, TRUST IN GOD. HAVE FAITH. You’ll be amazed! Don’t give up!!!!
Also, please pray for those who have lost their jobs in the oil and gas industry. A lot of people have families that they need to take care of, bills to pay for, etc. Please pray God opens doors for everyone affected.
And also…T-SQUAD WON THE FIRST ROUND OF SQUAD WARS!!!! WOOOO! GO T-SQUAD! 🙂
And…that’s all for now! Haha 🙂 I will make sure and let you know how the month of April goes!
USE YOUR MUSTARD SEED FAITH!!!!
Sincerely,
Meraia
