"These are two art frames by A Positive Dose designed by Bernee Lee inspired by Jackie, one frame says Think Positive and the other has the plus sign from the word "positive", ready to be hung together or separately in your home or office today."
"We will start the bidding at 60 dollars. Do I hear a 60?" Auctioneer Amy announces in her best auctioneer voice to the eager audience in the room.
No, this isn't a scene from the famed Sotheby's auctions in New York. It's my farewell party and WorldRace auction held at my church C3SF this past Sunday.
You could feel the energy in the room accumulate as hands continue raising up when Amy raises the bids by increments of 5 dollars. One lady in black in the front of the room, Grace, is determined to take the Think Positive frames. Her rival, a girl in pink sitting pretty in the back of the room, Missy, so far matched every new bid Grace exceeded to, quite relentlessly. The bidding war is on, but there will only be one winner. Is it the lady in black or girl in pink?
Meanwhile as black and pink "fought" it out, the bid has now gone up to $150 for the frames. While neither ladies showed any sign of retreat, Grace gave a confident and knowing smile because she on the otherhand has a secret. The kind man sitting next to her, whispered in her ear at the beginning of the auction, "I give you a blank check." Those six words kept her going during the bid. She knew her backings were strong, she knew she had unlimited resources. She put her confidence in this knowledge. In the end, the girl in pink relented, and Grace got her frames for a whopping $160!
I looked at the situation in awe, it showed the heart of the man, to be able to say those words without knowing how high the bid would eventually come to. It went beyond just physical provision, it showed a depth of a greater love.
After the auction, I felt like God is saying this to me. "I give you a blank check Jackie."
Wow.
A blank check?
A black check! From God to me.
As I reflect on this newly revealed truth. I am more and more in awe.
But of course daddy. That's just what my heavenly father would give to me. Anything that is my heart's desire if I follow Him and love Him with reckless abandon.
This is truly the father's heart for me, for all of His sons and daughters. When He invited us to the kingdom, to eternal life in heaven, He is also opening up the heavenly storehouses so we can experience joy, abundance, and fruitfulness on earth. I'm not preaching the prosperity gospel, not at all. What I'm saying is that God will provide. He will do immeasurably more than what I could ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), He will give more than enough.
The Lord will open up his heavenly storehouse so that the skies send rain on your land at the right time, and he will bless everything you do. You will lend to other nations, but you will not need to borrow from them.
– Deuteronomy 28:12
After the auction, another person came up to me, whom I met but a week prior, and says: "Jackie, do you have enough for your August deadline now based on the auction?" "Well, I am not sure yet, but it looks like I may still be short." "Okay, just let me know how much you need, and I'll write you a check to cover the rest." Wow. Another blank check!!! If God's voice wasn't loud and clear before, it sure is now. He's got my attention alright.
Daddy, I thank you that you are a dad that writes blank checks and hands them to me just like that.
I pray that you will constantly remind me of your generous heart. Even if today is the day that I may be lacking in my need, even if today I am still waiting for my healing. Tomorrow is the day you will provide, tomorrow is the day you will surely heal.
