This is a blog to brag about how cool my God is.
Something you should know about me is that I love to give all the glory to our Lord. I love to be able to praise His name and say to others, “Look at what He’s done. Look at how He loves us. How He loves me. Look how faithful He is.”
This is one such story.
During the week, I nanny. For most of the summer I only work ten hours a week driving the kids where they need to be. But this week and next are the “in between” stages where I’m nannying about 25 hours. I had agreed to be paid a certain amount per week for the whole summer, not remembering that these two weeks would be more hours.
The woman I work for and I hadn’t discussed a different pay amount, so although I was slightly stressed out about it, I graciously accepted that I would be paid less than half of what I would normally ask for.
Recently God has been pressing on me to serve without expectation, to serve without asking for anything in return, to serve before asked. It was a huge test of my humbleness and servitude. A year or two ago I would’ve resented receiving less money “than I thought I deserved” and silently brooded over it and held a slight grudge. But I could tell the Lord was pushing me to enjoy this week with the kids, to appreciate my time with them, and not stress out about something like how much I was being paid. To serve happily and willingly, without expectation of what I would receive in return. So I kept my mouth shut.
Instead, I started praying. I asked the Lord that they would give me a little bit more money. I promised Him that if they gave me any extra, even if it was only $10, I would donate it directly to World Race. No matter how big or small, I would give it right back Him. And if they didn’t give me a penny more than what we agreed upon, I would accept it with grace and thankfulness that I was even paid at all.
Every day this week I prayed that I would be able to glorify God's name with extra money. I also thanked the Lord that He had provided me a job for the summer. I thanked Him and talked with Him about how it was ok if I didn’t receive any extra, that I would be ok receiving less and would still enjoy serving this week and next regardless.
The end of the week came, and the woman I work for offered me double what we had agreed upon.
Shocked, I agreed and joyfully praised and worshipped the Lord. I praised Him, and thanked Him. I had asked, and He provided. When I got home yesterday, I gladly divided the money and put one half of it in an envelope to be sent to World Race.
I was shocked, but how could I doubt that the Lord would provide? How could I expect anything less than His best from my faithful, gracious, loving Father? I asked for more money because I wanted to honor Him. I asked for more money because I wanted to give it back to Him. The original amount I agreed to is more than enough for me personally, but I asked for more so that I could give God more. And He delivered. He desires to grow our faith in Him. He desires to give us things so that His name is glorified. And I love honoring Him in that way.
On top of the nannying thing, this past week was a big one. Tuesday it was my 22nd birthday, as well as a facebook fundraiser I was doing in honor of my birthday. Wednesday it was my brother’s graduation. And today, Saturday, was my brother’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor, as well as our joint graduation party.
I promised the Lord that whatever money I received for my birthday, for the facebook fundraiser, and for my graduation, would all go directly back to Him. Just like the nannying thing, I was making more than enough money and I desired to give any extra I received right back into His hands. Every day this week, I prayed that Jesus would surprise me. I knew He would provide, no matter how big or how small; so I knew I would be able to give at least a little something back to Him.
In total I received a little over $1,500.
How amazing is my God?
I trusted the Lord with my fundraising. I knew the gifts I would receive this week were out of my control, so I gave it back to Him. I didn’t worry about how much I would or would not receive. I didn’t worry about who would give or who wouldn’t give. I didn’t worry about anything. Instead, I looked up at my Father and said, “Surprise me. I want to give it back to you and glorify you. Surprise me.”
And He did.
So this blog is dedicated to my loving Father up in Heaven. How amazing is He? He provides. He remains faithful. When we obey Him, serve Him, put our trust completely in Him, and desire to glorify His name, not ours, He will always follow through.
That is how cool my God is.
Fundraising Update!!!
I now have about $8,500 expected to be in my account by the end of June.
I still have $7,000 left to raise! Please share my blog and what I’m doing with others and donate if you haven’t already!
Thank you so much to those who have already donated. Without you guys, I wouldn't be just over 50% funded in only three months! God is truly at work and truly providing.
Love.
