I knew God would provide and I knew what He wanted me to do so why was I struggling so much? I had felt Him tugging at my heart and asking me to step out of my comfort zone to work with High School Students for a few months. He was ready for me to make the change but I was comfortable in the preschool ministry, not yet ready for all that came with a new area of service.
The opportunity even opened up at one point for me to step into a higher position in preschool and I was about to take it. I think He was testing me to see how I would respond. At first I said yes and was about to jump in without a care. Then I realized that I wasn't putting my whole heart into it and there was no way He would bless this silly move. I called Adrienne, our director and confessed that I was really struggling. She totally understood and accepted my resignation over the phone. It was hard to say goodbye to this area of comfort in my life. I knew the routine, the people I served with and I like the extra money it was bringing to our budget. There were tears because I wasn't sure how God would provide.
The first week in the High School area was very different and so loud compared to preschool. These students can talk back and tell you what they think about life! What a shock to my system but I knew God was working in my heart and life. He was blessing me and preparing me before I ever even knew it. The ride was about to take off and all I could do was hang on!
We started GO training and had such a blast watching God work in the students hearts and lives. Jeff and I were so amazed by their talents and gifts. The Lord had really given them some wonderful abilities and they were using them to serve Him in so many ways. Their Faith is huge and we want just a small piece of it.
Life continued and we kept having to pull from savings knowing that God was eventually bring the income needed to help pay the bills. We went on the GO trip and had so much fun. The week after we got back I got an email from our children's director, Adrienne, asking if I would be interested in watching her two young boys. The money she was offering to pay was almost exactly what I had given up two months before. God was screaming "Here's your answer, thank you for being patient and trusting me!"
Everything has been going great. The extra income is just enough. I have been able to attend many of the summer activities and even go to camp with these students. God is using me in ways I never thought possible and it's all because I was willing to step out in faith and trust His will in my life! We are so thankful that when God asks you to follow Him, He always shows up and provides for your needs!
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Corinthians 9:8
12 comments:
stacey this blog was a blessing to read!! I struggle a ton with the issue of finances and trusting that God will work everything out. Sometimes I feel like cutting it close is too scary but God reminds me that " I never promised to give you an over abundance, but just enough to keep you dependent on me." We decided to get married, knowing that I have one semester of school left (will be driving into Phx everyday but I knew that this was God's next step for our life and that we had to trust Him. It is such an encouragement to see couples older than us still in that tug with God but still proclaiming that God will take care of them! Thank you for this post!
I am so proud of you and it is awesome to see God work in the area of your finances. I love those "aha" moments and it is fun to share them with you. It is obvious that you are an awesome youth mentor and those kids are blessed to have your time and talents.
Stacey - you made me cry. I am so proud of you. It is so exciting to watch God use you in the lives of the students and to watch all of you grow.
Totally understand the FROG (Fully Relying On God) principle for finances. But remember, you are building treasures in Heaven!!
You and Jeff will be that someone special being honored 20 years from now. Just think about it. God always provides! Maybe not the way we planned but in his timing. I love hearing stories like this. Good Stuff.
What a wondeful testimony!
Kathleen
I'm so glad that you are seeing God work and giving Him the praise for it! You can never out give God! You give of yourself and He provides in such incredible ways! I know that you are a blessing to the youth as well as the youth pastor.
I love hearing how He provides...at just the right time! We've experienced that so many times and most recently in this past year while I've been recovering and the real estate market it is so slow!
Stacey, you are a breath of fresh air that I needed to intake today. God is good and faithful in all things, especially if we give everything - everything! - over to him. I know how you feel and I too trust that he will provide for our needs. I even have faith that he will provide for some of our wants too. :o)
What a blessing - it's great to see God's faithfulness to us in so many different aspects of our lives!
It is so encouraging to see how you are able to completely trust God with every area of your life. You are living an intentional life and following through with the action. Praise God for you and Jeff.
He does provide indeed!
I did move back to San Diego at the end of July. I'm still pursuing international teaching, but for now I'm living at home and working. Yes, God provided a job. Quite literally, I was handed a job. No interview, no previous experience, but it fits me perfectly. I love it.
Isn't it funny how we doubt God? I've been struck as we continue to read through the Bible how many times authors bring up how God save the Israelites at the Red Sea. I kept thinking, "Oh, not again!" Then it hit me...we forget soooo easily. Sometimes even within an hour of blessing we still forget and doubt that God is good and that His timing is right.
That's the nice thing about blogging and journaling. You end up having written record of how God has provided. Thanks for the reminder again!
Great post, thanks for sharing how God provides and never lets us down, all we need do is trust Him. We can't be reminded of that enough.
It is great how God shows us when we let Him that He has our back. We just have to rest on Him and know that He is loving and kind and will provide for our needs. I struggle with this alot but I am so encouraged by stories like this! Thanks for trusting God and for telling others what He has done for you!
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