Last night, as I was driving home and anxiously praying about a matter that has been weighing heavy on my heart, the guy on the radio quoted Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
In that moment it hit me: Although I was going to God in prayer over this situation, I was coming to Him in anxiety, rather than in a mindset of thankfulness. And in the last 16 hours, he has reminded just how much I have to be thankful for:
– Free rent in a home –
I am not at full support right now. Over the summer, I was really struggling with that. God was being faithful to sending me at least $950 per month (despite only a small amount of monthly support) but I hated getting anxious each month about whether or not I would have enough to get by each month. A family, who had moved to Gainesville over the summer (the husband works at AIM) approached me that they wanted to bless me by offering me a room (rent free) in their beautiful home. I was a little hesitant because they have six kids (ages 5-15) but God affirmed that this was the season He was calling me into. This amazing family has adopted 3 of their kids (I have had a heart for adoption since college and now I get to live with a family who has adopted) and two of their kids have special needs (something God gave me a heart for when I went SCH). And I cannot forget to mention that their youngest, sweet Felicia, reminds me so much of my sweet Jodi in India. I have been living with this family now for just over a week, and so far (although sometimes chaotic) I have definitely seen purpose and goodness in living with them. They are such a blessing to me, and I am so thankful that God has been providing opportunities for me to be a blessing back to them.
– An amazing community –
Eight months ago, when my boss’s husband suggested that I work for SCH out of the AIM office, it made sense since it was where I had spent the previous four months, so I knew the people and had begun building relationships. But upon reflecting on these last 8 months, my heart has been flooded with gratitude because I don’t know how I would have made it through some days with out the people God has blessed me with in Georgia. I am in a community who loves God wholeheartedly and want to help me succeed in what He has called me to in this season. My desk is right next to a frequently walked hallway, and I consistently have people who stop at my desk to ask me how my day is going and how the kids of SCH are. They let me share prayer requests and show off pics of my favorite kids in the world.
– A supportive family –
My mom has been my biggest cheerleader through out my time with SCH. Money was the only concern she has had, but God has been growing her faith as she sees Him time after time provide for my needs. She advocates for me, supports me, lends a listening ear when I need to verbally process, and offers advice when I need it. She also personally supports SCH, which is such an encouragement to me. My dad (who I have had a strained relationship with in the past) is making a real effort to offer emotional & physical support in my job. He has become much more intentional about asking me what is going on at SCH, and because he has been sharing my story with his friend, God has been opening some amazing doors. For example, my dad’s friend (who is a pastor), allowed me to speak at three church services when I visited my dad in August, and from that church I have now received three new monthly supporters. My sister has also lent a helping hand, and set up several meetings for me (when I visited her in August) with friends of hers who work for non-profits. I am thankful that God has provided me with such an incredibly supportive family.
– An incredible story –
These past few days, God has given me the chance to share my testimony of the past few years a few times, and every time, I am more and more blown away by what He has done in my life. When I quit my job in television 2.5 years ago, I never imagined this is where I would be today, and I am so thankful that His dreams and plans are so much better than mine.
My life is full of incredible blessings right now, and so it is with a thankful heart that I bring my prayers and petitions to my great God. I believe that one reason God asks us to come to Him with a thankful heart is because it allows us to remember just how good and faithful He is and it helps us to trust Him all the more with the new petitions we lay before him. It reminds us that He has been faithful in the past, and will be faithful to the end.
So I lay before God this problem, knowing full well, that even if he doesn’t answer this prayer in the way that I hope, that He is sovereign and will take care of this situation.
I ask that you also join me in praying for the needs of SCH (www.schindia.com). With 146 children in our care, our needs are great and sometimes seem overwhelming. But these kids are His, and I fully trust that he will provide for their needs. Join me in praying for kids of SCH, and come on this journey to see how God will faithfully provide.
