I love it when God encourages me. He uses so many different ways to do this. It can be a child's kiss, a friend's hello, birds singing, oceans roaring. It's His creation so He can do whatever He wants. But to take the time to encourage when His girl is feeling a little down, well, that's just plain and simple love being lavished.
The deadline for making a final decision about the trip to Israel is looming. I don't want to seem unbelieving because I know He can do it. He's done it before... many, many times. But there is the reality that maybe this isn't my time. And this is how He's revealing this to me. But then again, maybe what He does in His timing is what I'm needing to trust, not so much whether He speaks yes or no.
Due to my surgery, I'm even further behind than I anticipated in saving for this trip. Even if I hadn't had the knee surgery, I'd still be short the $2,500 balance that I have left. Then God walks up and says, "Girl, I love ya. Just trust Me. I know what I'm doing." Well, of course He knows what He's doing. I mean, hello. He's God.
First, this past Friday, I find out my company is giving us a bonus. It's not much because we missed the mark financially. But the CEO wants to thank us for the hard work so he's giving out bonuses anyway. He didn't have to do that. But he seems like a Godly man with character and integrity. And God decided to use him in my life.
Then this morning, I met someone in the hall on my way to Sunday School class and she just out of the blue says, "Well, yeah. God was speaking during the morning service. And instead of the amount I told you I was going to donate to you... well, he told me to double that amount." Now I am friends with this sweet person. But wouldn't consider us overtly close to each other. But she is a Godly woman with character and integrity. And God decided to use her in my life.
I hate working on Sundays. I try to honor the day as much as I can possibly manage. But it is insane right now with my workload. So I decided to come in for a couple hours. And even in that, God wanted to encourage me. See, I had sent an email to the travel agency who is coordinating the Israel trip to find out the last possible day I could make my decision. She gave me the date... but also said... now get this... if you can commit to half of the $3,000 by July 31, then we can arrange the rest of the balance in payments between then and my departure. So can you guess how much I have between the bonus, my friend's blessing to me, and the deposit that I already paid. Um, well, yeah... it's almost the half that I need!! And between now and July 31, I'm sure God is going to provide the difference. Now here's someone I've never even met and God decided to use her in my life.
He so doesn't have to encourage. He so doesn't have to lavish His love. He so doesn't have to take care of the details that I worry about. But He does. 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God.
God, You are amazing. When I just don't think it's possible to love me anymore, You lavish Yourself all over Your girl. And I just stand in amazement that You even want to call me Your child. Create in me a pure heart that proclaims Your glory to anyone who will listen.
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