Obviously if you are reading this, you are aware that I am heading out on the mission field in just a few short months. Also, I'm sure you are in the know of the large amount of money I am in need of raising – $15,000 incase you are not. 🙂 When I signed up for the WR, I knew in my heart God was going to supernaturally bring the money in, however little did I know how miraculous and life-changing this preparation process would be for me.
Have you ever felt like God likes some people more than you? Or gives to some people and not to you? Now, I know that this is completely contrary to the Bible, but have your circumstances ever made it appear that this could be true? I am going to be very honest with you, I believe every single word of the scripture, but many times in my life my circumstances have made me feel this way. I have sat back and watched dozens of people recieve the exact thing I was praying and believing for but not me. I know that we don't live by our feelings, but let's be real here – these feelings can make it difficult to truly believe that God is GOOD and that He is NO respecter of person. Due to some of the things that have happened in my life, it has been sometimes difficult for me to believe what God's Word says when my situation is so far from it. I felt this way somewhat when I began this fundraising journey. I know that we are to believe without seeing, but when God moves in a tangable way in your life it impacts you like nothing else! Last week I was in prayer, feeling slightly discouraged, and I said to God "Can you just please show up for me in a tangable way? Something to show me you love me and You've got this?" (Although the cross was more than I ever needed as an I love you). And that is EXACTLY what He did!
As of last week, Wednesday, I had $6,500 in my WR account. Which is a HUGE blessing and I am so thankful for all the people who have sown into my life. However, it is still a long way from $15,000 and I was scratching my head thinking how am I going to get all this money? But God. Oh, what a loving God we serve! As I continued to pray and believe in His great provision, nothing really changed much over the weekend. So Monday rolls around and I am still waiting to SEE Him move in that tangible way. Monday came and went. No sparks. No miracles fell into my lap. When I woke up on Tuesday morning, I was still battling with discouragement and feeling as if God didn't hear me. (I know what the Bible says, and I believe it but I am just being real with y'all about how I felt). So I log onto my WR account and see that $500 had come in over night! I was SO thrilled! It's funny how we can be so doubting and then God does something like that and we instantly are full of faith. Thankful that He loves us even when we don't believe. I instantly felt my spirits lift and was encouraged. But that was just the beginning of an incredible day!
By lunch time, I had been handed 3 more checks totaling in $2,350!!! Now my shock and aw factor was at an all time HIGH! That was nearly $3,000 since breakfast. HOLY COW! I was totally freaking out (still am!). I began to thank God and repent for ever doubting His love or goodness towards me. But it still doesn't stop there! At the end of my evening, someone blessed me with $500 cash!!! At this point, I just cried and laughed at the same time! THIS IS A MIRACLE people! God completely shot my expectations out the window and totally rocked my world all in one day! When I laid my head on my pillow that night, I had been giving over $3,300 towards my mission! Of course, there was no chance of falling asleep. The only place I could fall was to me knees. I was humbled, blessed, grateful, thankful, encouraged, challenged, convicted and overjoyed all at the same time. HE LOVES ME! He loves me so much. And even though He isn't required to, He made it VERY tangible for me to see.
It's very hard for me to express my true feelings at that moment. LOTS of tears flooded my face and I felt the ever so tangible love of God in a way I haven't in many years. I was also moved to tears at the wonderful people who love me, believe in me and have supported me in this journey. I could never really thank you enough. But God is keeping good records and His reward for you one day will be MUCH greater than anything I could ever give.
I woke the next morning still in shock. I couldn't believe everything that had happened in just a 24 hour period. That morning I received another $150! Which brings me to $10,000!!! In just one week, I went from worrying how I was going to launch to 2/3 of the way funded! Speechless, completely speechless I was. (Which is rare for me, anyone who knows me could tell you that). I just cried and said "I can't even handle this!!! It's too amazing. TOO good. I don't deserve it." But isn't that a beautiful picture of God's grace? He gives us what we don't deserve just because He loves us!
It would be impossible for me to put everything into this blog but I hope you captured a glimpse of the miracle that took place. I hope that you read this and are encouraged that God will do the same for you. Although, sometimes it's hard to believe that – and I know that feeling so well – believe today. Trust today. One of my favorite people, Smith Wigglesworth, said this "God is more eager to answer than we are to ask".
I am beyond thankful to everyone who has followed the Lord and sown into me; both financially and prayerfully. This was a shot in the arm, to say the least, and gave me a great hope and faith that God can do anything, and He takes care of His kids.
"Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD…" -Psalm 34:8
