I love my Gran.
Let me begin this story with those four words.
I love my Gran.
Always in my life my Gran has wanted the best for us grandchildren. My Gran, like me, always speaks her mind and isn’t afraid to deliver a harsh word if need be. In fact, most of the words she delivers are hard and not from the Lord. It is just that innate ability to not keep our mouths shut that leads my Gran and me into many debates. Each debate leaves the other in our setting concrete of stubbornness as the conversation progresses.
Today we had one of those conversations. It begins very loving and then turns into a “Lindsay, what are you doing with your life” conversation, and how I need to get a full-time job with benefits and need to be living back in my hometown of Bethalto, IL. Today, when I told her, “But, Gran, I do have a full-time job. I am a missionary.”
She responded with, “I meant a real full-time job. You know something with benefits.”
I did not go into how doing the work of the Lord and going where he calls us carries more benefits in than any “job” could give me. The banter continued on tell I finally said, “Gran, being a woman of faith, you should know that when God calls us to do something, He will provide the means and a way.”
Her response- “We’ll see.”
I then reply with, “Gran, I don’t see God as a magic genie that comes when I ask rub the lamp and ask him to grant my wishes. I believe that he has called me and that he will provide the financial supporters that I need.”
“Well, like I said, we’ll see. As long as you don’t ask people for money.”
“What do you think support raising is Gran? I have to ask the body of Christ to provide. I have to do my part. I am not just gonna pray a prayer wishfully and expect that because I asked God, he is just going to drop money in my lap. Just like, faith, I believe that I have to take steps in order for God to meet my needs along the way. I have to send out support letters. I have to post blogs and make phone calls. Just like I can’t win the lottery if I don’t play, I can’t expect for supporters if I don’t ask.”
“We’ll see.”
82 years old, a completely different generation and a completely different relationship in the Lord. My grandma believes in God, she believes in Jesus, and she believes in making your own way. That if you want something done you have to do it yourself. That is self-reliant and not God-reliant. That is how she was raised. It was all about providing for and meeting the needs of your family. That use to be me. Sometimes, regrettably it still is. God isn’t acting in accordance with my time table so I guess I have to take care of it myself. Honestly, I am sick of it. I am tired of trying to lean on my own understanding and my own way of doing things.
God wants to do the same thing my grandma does. He wants to provide for me and meet all of my needs. God has called me to be a full-time missionary with AIM, therefore, HE WILL PROVIDE. I am claiming that and walking forward in that faith and assurance.
Trust is tricky business.
Please continue to pray with me for my support. Pray that my grandma is just astounded at the way God moves and provides. I pray that at the age of 82 that my grandma is so moved by God and his provision that she becomes completely rocked and totally reliant on HIM. Haha, that would be awesome and God can do that kind of stuff, because he is just that cool.
