God is . . . Provider

I could write a book on this attribute.  Years ago, when my husband lost his job, it plunged us into financial hardship. At the beginning of this downturn, my husband and I made the decision that no matter what, we would be faithful in our tithes.  We were no strangers to tithing.  We had been tithing for years, but were often careless.  If we were short one week, we just put God off.  This time we promised ourselves we won’t do that.

But would we keep the promise? We had a son in college and a daughter who was getting married. Things were certain to get tight. On the other hand, surely this downturn would only be temporary.  My husband had great credentials and vast experience in his field. In no time, someone would snap him up.

He sent out one resume after another, even in response to jobs that were below his former position as Chief Financial Officer. But it seemed as if the resumes were falling into a black hole because no one ever contacted him.

This made change necessary. First, we sold our boat, then the house. We became renters and lived in a condo. Our lifestyle downsized, too.  Finally, through a friend, my husband landed a part-time consulting job. I had also gone back to work. But it was a full year before he was offered a permanent job that came with title, benefits, the works.  A full year of waiting on God; a full year of keeping our promise to Him concerning our tithe; a full year of fighting the temptation to wallow in discouragement.

But as we look back on it, we both agree it was one of our best years, for it was a year that we truly drew closer to God; a year where we got to know Him in a new and deeper way. Even to this day, when my husband and I talk about it, we marvel how, through it all, God met our needs, how He provided enough to keep our son in college; how He enabled us to give our daughter a nice wedding; and even to live in a lovely condo.

Since then, God has more than restored everything.  He has, in fact, given us a double portion.  Is God provider?  Well, to me, that’s an obvious “yes.”

Until next week,

Sylvia