God's Amazing Provision for Our Lives

"Wait Upon the Lord, Be strong and take Heart and wait upon the Lord" Psalm 27:14

We have been waiting upon the Lord for His provision of a job for Jim. It has been hard for me to wait but it has challenged my faith and courage to know for sure that my amazing God is really who He says He is. God's provision for our everyday needs has blown me away and strengthened Jim and I in countless ways. Below are some of the things I have learned and the amazing ways God has provided for our needs and humbled my heart.

First of all, I have learned with every hardship comes blessings. Our blessing through not having a job right now, equates lots of family time. Though there were growing pains to begin with, we have adapted into quite a comfortable routine. I love having my husband home and watching him interact with the kids. I also love having him around for myself as well. We are the best of friends. Bionic man is also a pretty handsome guy and it has been great to fall in love with him all over again. We have had really good discussions, challenged each other spiritually in different areas, handled the kids like a professional parenting team "What did your dad say about that?" and also fought like cats and dogs :) Which in turn reveals my sinful nature and the need I have for my Savior! I will really miss him when he returns to work full time :) (Which again will be a HUGE BLESSING!)

One of the things Jim and I have learned over the past few weeks is how faithful God is. During a precepts bible study with Carter this month, one of the topics we discussed was not taking the Lord's name in vain. Exodus 20:7 states "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in Vain. The lesson went on to say "Taking God's name in vain is the opposite of hallowing it. When you take God's name in vain, you are disbelieving, denying, and distorting the truth about God. The name of the Lord is not just a title, but it is how God makes Himself known to us. His name tells us WHO He is. It tells us about His character.

When you don't believe what God says about Himself, then you are taking His name in vain because you are thinking wrong thoughts about Him. An example of disbelieving God would be to say, "God , doesn't care about my needs." Did you know one of God's names means He is our Provider? So when you say God doesn't care about my needs, you are thinking wrong thoughts about God and are disbelieving Him and his provision. You are taking His name in vain. "

Kay Arthur "Lord, Teach Me to Pray for Kids" p.42

Jim and I were both kind of stunned with that. It sunk in that when we allow anxiety and worry to creep into our thoughts about the future and how are needs are going to be met, we are literally taking His name in vain by not trusting in Him as our Jehovah Jireh (provider). So every time we start to get anxious about a job, money, insurance, health etc...we remind ourselves and each other who are provider is. And you know what, in comes this amazing peace and sense of security as we have been learning to lean on God.

On that note, I want to share some of the AMAZING ways God has provided for our family during the past month or so. Some of this has been hard for me to except as I feel like we are not desperate, deserving because there are so many others who are suffering, or poverty stricken. God has been teaching me though to rely on Him for everything moment to moment. This is one area, he has really stretched me in.

First, a friend of ours provided us with half of a cow for our freezer.

Second, we had grocery money given/forced upon us for two weeks worth of groceries. I say forced because it was SO hard for me to except it thinking we didn't need that just yet...we still have savings and severance to live off of. Now in July, it may be a different story :) But God was providing manna for us and so I praised Him for expanding my box of comfort.

Third, our garage sale was overwhelmingly fruitful. Huge praises to my mom who gave us hours of her time to force me to reconcile with the stuff and chaos in my house! When we were done, I even alphabetized our books and CD collection.

Fourth, a friend called me out of the blue and gave me a load of new or hardly worn size 8 shorts and clothes for Carter that are "so cool and camo".

Fifth, we were able to get our air conditioner fixed in the suburban for under $100. WhooHoo! Your body does adjust to wind and warmth but it is really nice to be cool...actually I am freezing now but what a blessing! We were willing to go without a.c. this summer thinking it was going to be a thousand plus expense.

Sixth, a dear friend dropped off bread in our mailbox from the Harvest Bread Company.

Seventh, our electric meter apparently wasn't working for a time. The guy who checks the meters, knocked on the door last month to let me know he was replacing ours. I was really nervous thinking our bill was going to be ASTRONOMICAL. I prayed about it and when I got the bill this month, we had actually been OVERPAYING and our bill was only, drum roll please...$8.00. Seriously only God can do that!

Last, I wanted to stop at Sonic the other day during happy hour, my wise husband looked at me and I realized that it was really not a "need". We came home and walked in the door and what do you know...our neighbor called out of the blue with 2 large cherry limeades that he bought for his family. Apparently, when he got home with the drinks, his family was not there. For those that know me, I really was blown away by this little "coincidence"

My point is that I have kept God in a box for way to long. I have been humbled and blown away by His love, grace, and continued provision and protection of our family. I was able to challenge a friend the other day going through a difficult trial and questioning her need for control over finances and need to make money. I asked her "Is God really who He says He is in your life, if He is than you have to release control and trust Him to provide." He will do it in unbelievable and surprising ways and He will met your NEEDS. Sometimes not your "wants" but your needs.

On that note, Jim has a job interview on Tuesday that we would appreciate prayers for. If this is the new tapestry that God is weaving in our lives, I will have a very cool story to blog about :) This interview has been in the makings for almost 5 months now. God has impressed the lesson on my heart of waiting for His timing and praising Him in the meantime. Please see my earlier posts. The interview was scheduled almost 4 weeks ago. Again, I had to put on my waiting stance. I realized though that this has given Jim's hair an opportunity to grow out over his incisions and will help him avoid the questions of "Did you have brain surgery lately or what !" So that is probably a very good thing :) We are really excited and hopeful about the opportunity for Jim to possibly work at this company. It has some really neat Godly men and is still located in Oklahoma :) So if it is God's will, please pray that He will find a place to use my husbands talents in this company for His glory and be offered the job. We continue to "wait upon the Lord, and be strong and take heart, and wait upon the Lord." Psalm 27:14

I also have another prayer request regarding Carter's pump supplies. We have a very low supply of transfer sets which is the tubing that connects from the pump to the infusion set he wears in his body. I called the diabetic supply office trying to get a refill on just the transfer sets and apparently the company quit selling those individually. I heard as well that they are discontinuing the pump that Carter wears. (You would think I would get better at changes, but this one is hard for me). Long story as short as possible, I have to get a new script from the doctor tomorrow to try and beat the insurance clock so that we can continue to get the supplies covered under Durable Medical Equipment. Without that approval, his pump supplies almost equal a small house payment. :( So if you would pray for that to be approved that would be very helpful. I know regardless, God will take care of my little man and all of his diabetic needs. I take comfort in the fact that God loves and cares for him even more than I do. He is in His hands. I also know that He alone will provide for Carter's needs. I am sure I will have a neat story to share about that as well :)

We are still here, waiting upon the Lord for His plan and His purpose for our lives. We appreciate your prayers. He is Good all the time, All the Time, He is Good!

John Waller - While I'm Waiting Lyrics

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord