Be Encouraged

Praise God for the ability to share with the Body of Christ!!!

During November 2001, God blessed me with a song as I traveled to work.  The words of the song were "For every mountain, you brought me over, for every trial, you've seen me through, for every blessing, Hallelujah.....for this I give you praise........."  For two straight weeks, God called me to listen to this song, over and over and over, and I didn't understand at the time, because all seemed to be going well in my life.  My marriage seemed strong, my children were healthy, my husband and I both had jobs....  Little did I know of the mountains ahead, but in God's miraculous way, he had prepared me for the following journey.

The last week of November 2001, my husband came home from work (which was with the same Department where I was employed) and informed me that he was being terminated for unknown reasons.  This occurred one day prior to completing his probationary period, and he was not told the reason for termination.  We were confused and for months, we searched for answers as to why this happened.  To this very day, he was never given a concrete reason and there was nothing negative found in his personnel file. 

After reviewing our finances, my first impulse was to stop tithing.  Our income was cut in half, and I had no clue as to how our bills, rent, and the cost of raising two children was going to be met.  I was only certain that God was present and seeing what was happening.  During prayer, God reassured me that His purpose was perfect and that in our obedience, we would prosper according to His riches and glory.  So, I continued to ensure we tithed.........in fact, we tithed the amount as if my husband was still working full-time!!  What a faith walk!!!  Despite what the calculator said, God made sure all of our needs were met.

One year and 3 months later, we were able to look back and see that God was more than able and sustained our family of four on one income.  Only God can permit a family's income to be cut in half and the family remains whole.  Not a meal was missed, not a birthday overlooked, not a single bill went unpaid.   God is Awesome!!!!!!! 

During this time, God provided us with a lesson on marriage.  He showed the head of our household that only He, Our Father, is our only true provider.  That career and everything we attain on this Earth, belongs to Him, and we must not worship our jobs and forget our responsibility to Him.  He showed my husband the importance of maintaining the man's responsibility as a husband, a father, and a servant for the Lord.  God opened his eyes to acknowledge the work that goes into maintaining a home and raising children daily, not just on weekends.  His appreciation for my role as wife grew, and he even stepped up his game at home, which taught me to pray for my husband, cause the nagging wasn't working a bit!!!!!

For me, God showed me the awesome responsibility men were designed to carry when it comes to providing for the home and that being the sole income-provider of the home was not a role meant for women.  It actually stressed me out and I felt as if I was wearing the shoes on the wrong foot.  God taught me to reverence my husband, to truly respect him for the important role he has in our family, and He showed me how to be a helper and team player, rather than "an independent woman" and opinionated critic. 

January, 2003, my husband was blessed with a job.  God designed it so that we would not require day care for our children.  We saved every check he made and God made it possible for us to purchase our first home by 4/28/03!!!  That night, I prayed to Our Lord, thanking Him for answered prayer.   We have longed to be homeowners since we married in 1996!!!
I also thanked God, in advance, for helping us to make our mortgage payments each month.  Money seemed tight, and a bit nervous, I shared with God my fear, and He reassured that since we made it this far, there's nothing he couldn't and wouldn't do for His children. 

Talk about answered prayer.......TWO DAYS LATER..............I was offered a promotion at my job, which would yield a 15.8% pay increase within a 2-month period!!!!!!!!!  GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!!  And, without saying, it doesn't stop here.  God continues to show his presence in my life through the healing relationship between my mother & I, my children continue to grow and learn of Our Lord and Savior, and my marriage is more solid than ever before!

The key here is, there's nothing special about me..........it's all about HIM.  Through obedience to His leading, acceptance of life's circumstances, and believing and trusting in Him, He will undoubtedly bless.  Being content where you are at and listening to the wisdom He builds around us is so important for our journey with God.  We can ask anything of Christ in Faith, believing and not doubting, and He will ensure that we receive His blessing in His perfect timing.  Serving Him and encouraging others through His Word and testifying to His blessings is our true job, and He will undoubtedly meet our needs.

May you be blessed and be encouraged.  Whatever storm you may find yourself in, Praise Him in the midst.  Jesus died so that we may live, and there is nothing that will come between us and Our Father.  Know that His purpose for our life is perfect, and we shall reap if we faint not.  Walk in faith, and know that God will take care of you.  BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Evans - La Mesa, Ca