trust God

I am in awe, and need to write this down as there’s a good chance I’ll need to read it again tomorrow, or next week, or next month, when I will likely face another big financial challenge. God has come through again, and while this shouldn’t surprise me, somehow it does because it’s so BIG.

If you’ve followed my blog thus far, you know that my two oldest kids are in college. One is a junior and the other is a freshman. At the beginning of the school year, I had no idea how we were going to make it through both semesters without somebody taking out some loans. Both guys had worked hard, saved their money (and so had we, as best we could), and earned significant scholarships, but the numbers just weren’t “adding up” — at least every way that I could figure.

However, yesterday it was confirmed by both colleges that we will make it through the spring semesters — debt-free! I am still in shock. In August, the numbers definitely didn’t add up. I knew we could make it through the fall, between what all of us collectively had in the bank, but I had NO idea how we could pay through the spring. There were so many ups and downs: an unexpected late scholarship came through — yay! A student’s car died in December and had to be replaced — boo! We were able to take a mini-vacation to Nashville as a family — yay! One of our cars needed $2,200 in repairs while we were there — boo! We would be getting a big tax refund — yay! A document came in the mail one day later that reduced our refund by $1,100 — boo!

And yet, after calling both the business offices and financial aid offices for the colleges yesterday, it was confirmed that we have made our last spring tuition payment for our freshman, and there is just one more payment due for our junior. God has pulled through again! Amazing!

Before you check out, discouraged perhaps that this may not happen for you, let me please encourage you that God is faithful, and no respecter of persons. (See Acts 10:34-35.) Believe me, we have made our share of financial mistakes. Big ones. Investment properties gone sour. Cashing out 401K money earlier than we should have because we were feeling desperate, and therefore, paying a big penalty. A number of “lemon” cars that cost an arm and a leg just to keep on “hospice care” until we could get a more reliable vehicle. And yes, there were consequences and heartaches for each one of those poor decisions….

We have learned a ton through those choices, and continue to learn that while there is grace and mercy, there still are often unwelcome repercussions. However, times like yesterday remind me that God is faithful — even when I mess up. And that is true for you, too!

In what areas do you need to trust Him? Finances? A lost or wayward child or other loved one? Healing, when the doctors have no more answers?

Here’s a Scripture promise and then a quick prayer:

“Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” (Psalm 37:3-5 NASB)

Lord, thanks that You are always faithful — even when we are not. Please help us to trust in You and to cultivate — or “feed securely” — on Your faithfulness. As we delight in You and commit our way to You, we choose to place our trust in You, because You are trustworthy. Thank You for Your amazing track record. Please encourage each reader, and help us to be an encouragement to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Until next time,

Lisa T.

Remember. Celebrate. Trust!

Beverly, WV

Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NASB

I don’t know about you, but I hate to wait. I want my food – now. I want a parking place – now. I’d like an answer – now (as long as it’s favorable to me). And I’d like all green lights on the way to my destination, please… As you can probably guess, these “demands” are rarely satisfied.

Recently I’ve had some significant opportunities to wait, and I’ve been reminded that waiting involves trust. Last week, for example, my mom had surgery at “one of the top hospitals in the country.” I was in the “waiting room” for close to 12 hours, along with my older brother and step-dad, and it was nerve-racking, to say the least.

Many friends and family prayed with me before and during the process, but I was still struggling with my peace. Would she make it through? Would she wake up from the anesthesia? Would they get all of the cancer? Would her cuts heal, or would she be permanently disfigured?

Additionally, despite having a reputation for “being the best” hospital, there was still human error possible…and happening…at the front end. The receptionist accidentally entered information into the “advanced directive” slot instead of the “power of attorney” slot, so we learned just as my mom was going back to pre-op that we did not actually have the correct paperwork for her wishes. Several tests required for her surgery “had not arrived” so they were going to repeat them all, until we advocated to have them check again, and they “found them.” The surgeon, heralded as one of the tops nationwide, seemed more concerned about finding the top to his pen that had mysteriously disappeared since he came to my mom’s bedside, than he was about explaining the surgery to us and calming our anxieties. Grrrrr.

Thankfully, my mom did great in the surgery, they did get all of the cancer, and her wounds seem to be healing beautifully. Praise be to God, and I am grateful as well for the skills of the numerous medical staff involved.

As we sat in the waiting room for several hours following the surgery, while my mom recovered and prepared to be discharged, I finally turned my attention to the numerous other families nearby. Not everyone was going to be getting the wonderful news that we received that day. For some, waiting here in the cancer ward was a regular occurrence, as their loved ones were battling chronic or recurring disease.

Perhaps you’re in a waiting room that’s fairly significant, too. We all are, I suppose. Waiting to hear about that job. Waiting on medical tests yourself. Waiting to see how things are going to turn out with that loved one. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

May I pray with you? I’m a big believer in the power of prayer — mostly because I have seen the faithfulness of God come through time and time again. Not often how I would have planned it (in fact, seldom “my way”!), but in an amazing way that I could not have imagined.

Lord, as we wait here, may we trust You for the best possible outcome. Remind us of all the times that You have come through for our loved ones and for us. Please work out all of the details, and remove the obstacles that are hindering Your perfect plan from shining forth. We put our trust in You in this waiting room, because You are trustworthy. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen!

Remember. Celebrate. Trust.

Until next time!
Lisa