Where do I find my security?

The Lord has been faithful and has always provided everything we have needed. Over the last few months trusting Him in the area of our finances hasn't been too hard as we have managed to reduce our bills enough so that a check that we receive each month covers the majority of our bills. But last month the Lord started to ask us where we placed our security. Was it in Him or the monthly check. We believed He asked us to give away our check and totally rely on Him for what we needed.

Both Gary and I struggled with this decision, but slowly we are learning to obey and agreed to give away our check. Once we had committed to do this we were amazed at how clearly the Lord led us in where to give.

We were prepared to give it all away, but once we had parted with just over 60% of it Gary had a peace that we had given enough. So the month of December continued and we had no idea of where the money would come from to pay the bills. We told the children what we had done, not to worry them but so they could see God's goodness when He did provide.

There were a few occasions that we would look at the bills that were due and start fearing, but once we focused back on God we were at peace again. Thankfully we were given 3 gift cards which helped, but still we waited for the Lord to provide for all the bills.

Then, on the day after Christmas we received a letter from the Federal Government stating that they had miscalculated our economic stimulus check which we had received in May and were now refunding us what they owed us - just 7 months late!! Amazingly the total of the stimulus check was $20 more than the amount we had given away.

Immediately I checked my bank account to see if it had been deposited. It was placed into our account on December 19th, the same day that I had written the largest check that we gave away. We didn't know about this until December 26th as it was deposited into an account we don't often use.

God is so good. Not only did He provide for our needs, but he also gave us the blessing of helping others in need and, most of all, seeing that He is faithful. While I still have a long way to go, this month God helped me put my trust and security in Him just a little more.

Where do you find your security?

Michelle

Out of the mouth of babes...

Recently our family has committed to pray for a 10 year old orphan boy (Emmanuel) from Liberia who is waiting for his adoptive family to bring him home. The family is located in Illinois and already have 7 children (2 biological and 5 adopted). They are eager to bring Emmanuel home as they have already adopted his cousin and they miss each other alot. You can read more about their story here.

Anyway, we have been praying that the Lord would provide the money ($8,000) to bring Emmanuel from Liberia to America. Naomi has particularly been eager to pray for him, but I think she's a little confused on the details. Her prayers have been going something like this "Dear Heavenly Father I pray for Emily who is going to adopt Emmanuel who is in the library and waiting to come home. Help them get the $300 to bring him home.

I know the Lord knows her heart and it is encouraging to see her pray with such enthusiasm for another child.

Please pray with us that Emmanuel will be in the arms of his adoptive parents soon.

Michelle

Please Pray for the Kids

 

While we still don't know our date for departure we beleive it is getting closer so we have started sorting through the children's toys and clothes etc.

Please pray for them as this is proving a difficult task. It is so hard to decide what to keep and what to give (or throw) away when we only have a little room to ship things.

Thank you.

Michelle