God is amazing. On Tuesday, April 12 (I think), during my shower, I thanked God for the wonderful hot water and how great it makes me feel. I remembered the story told by a homeless man, about his friend teaching him how to wash up sitting outside his car. I was so grateful for the gifts God gave me, and specifically for the hot water. Knowing that gratitude is best expressed through passing it on, I prayed that God would give me an opportunity to share one of my many blessings with someone else.
Later that morning I turned on my favorite radio station, K-Love, and listened to The Encouraging Word of the Day. It just so happened that the morning show had received a wrong number call from a woman who needed to negotiate her water bill so it wouldn't be shut off. The announcers followed God's leading and paid her $301 water bill. This was such a blessing to the woman, and touched my heart, since it related to my own gratitude from that very morning; however, I suspected that they would be inundated with calls for help. Background noises confirmed my suspicion.
When I am focused on my own needs, I am unable to rejoice with those who rejoice; instead, I am jealous of their blessings. I get so caught up in what I think I need that I don't consider how miraculous the provision was for that other person. I don't take time to consider that the same God that provided for them is providing for me, too. The Bible is full of verses that talk about trusting God for everything. My personal favorite is Habakkuk 3:17-19, that loosely paraphrased says, 'even when everything is gone or ruined, still I will rejoice in the Lord and He will cause me to dance on my high places.' It is when I am in need that I most often see God's provision and learn to trust Him. It is in the fire that gold is refined and its qualityproven.
Like the K-Love morning show hosts, it is in my heart to be generous and give to meet a need - as we should; however, like those hosts, I am quickly overwhelmed by the many needs that present themselves. It is important that I listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and do all and only what He says. He may have me give everything, knowing the need will continue to be great, or He may have me only give once to one person, like the morning show hosts, knowing it will be the provision God has ordained. Who knows, God could be calling me to be another Mother Teresa, Heidi Baker, or an unknown to the world, but recognized-by-God part of God's holy church. Regardless, I should always be full of good works.
I am not offering to pay people's bills in this post. I was asked by God to give in a way I was able to give on that day, and I did. I am committing to continue to listen to the Holy Spirit and trust His leading in growing my heart and my actions in this area, as we all should.
Later that morning I turned on my favorite radio station, K-Love, and listened to The Encouraging Word of the Day. It just so happened that the morning show had received a wrong number call from a woman who needed to negotiate her water bill so it wouldn't be shut off. The announcers followed God's leading and paid her $301 water bill. This was such a blessing to the woman, and touched my heart, since it related to my own gratitude from that very morning; however, I suspected that they would be inundated with calls for help. Background noises confirmed my suspicion.
When I am focused on my own needs, I am unable to rejoice with those who rejoice; instead, I am jealous of their blessings. I get so caught up in what I think I need that I don't consider how miraculous the provision was for that other person. I don't take time to consider that the same God that provided for them is providing for me, too. The Bible is full of verses that talk about trusting God for everything. My personal favorite is Habakkuk 3:17-19, that loosely paraphrased says, 'even when everything is gone or ruined, still I will rejoice in the Lord and He will cause me to dance on my high places.' It is when I am in need that I most often see God's provision and learn to trust Him. It is in the fire that gold is refined and its qualityproven.
Like the K-Love morning show hosts, it is in my heart to be generous and give to meet a need - as we should; however, like those hosts, I am quickly overwhelmed by the many needs that present themselves. It is important that I listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and do all and only what He says. He may have me give everything, knowing the need will continue to be great, or He may have me only give once to one person, like the morning show hosts, knowing it will be the provision God has ordained. Who knows, God could be calling me to be another Mother Teresa, Heidi Baker, or an unknown to the world, but recognized-by-God part of God's holy church. Regardless, I should always be full of good works.
I am not offering to pay people's bills in this post. I was asked by God to give in a way I was able to give on that day, and I did. I am committing to continue to listen to the Holy Spirit and trust His leading in growing my heart and my actions in this area, as we all should.
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