I know that most of the people who visit this blog are my friends who know me well, to you, may I say thank you for your prayers this summer. I should say that just as amazing as the events I am going to describe was God's faithfulness to me in the summer of my discontent. To those of you who have never met me, my first blog post may give a bit of background on this situation. I'm going to jump right in in the middle.
Just three weeks ago I still wasn't sure God wanted me at seminary in Mississippi earning my master's. It didn't even seem possible. I didn't have a car; I wasn't getting responses from the places I was applying for work. I wasn't able to get a work study position, and there were a few people who, upon hearing my doubts, were offering me other (increasingly attractive) options. But starting two weeks ago things began to move so rapidly my head is still spinning.
First, my father stunned my whole family by pulling put thousands of dollars he had saved, that we didn't know about (sorry, Dad, for making this public... but it should be. I'm "letting your works praise you at the city gates"), and buying a used car for me in cash. And my parents are offering to help me every month if I am short on money for tuition. Initially, and still, to some extent, I was (am) resistant to accepting their help. But their free and loving generosity has been so humbling, and as I am being humbled I've begun to see it for what it is: such a beautiful picture of Christ's love. Thanks to both of you, Mom and Dad, again and again. You both love me so well.
Then, during this past week the wonderful woman who runs the work study program here, was incredibly helpful in passing on contact information for potential employers to me. I was hired by one of them yesterday! One day after moving to Mississippi!
Finally, I had started an Etsy store about two months ago, hoping that (in addition to being so much fun!) it would provide a supplemental income. I didn't sell a single thing for two months (except for my wonderful/incorrigible mother and aunt buying things), and then last week I sold two items -- just enough to cover a few remaining bills from the summer.
He is so good! And even more wonderful, as over-awing as the past two weeks have been, He was just as faithful during this summer. He broke my pride in my financial independence, and was preparing this for me even as I was furious at being (seemingly) left alone. I was reading Exodus 15-18 this morning. His constant provision, and my faithless fear has been the theme of my summer, and I can happily say that I am just like the Israelites in the desert, or the disciples in their boats. Like them, because I am faithless; happy, because as He loved them, He loves me. He told me to cast out my nets; I thought He left me; and they've come in full to bursting.
:) Thank you, again for your prayers. I love each of you so much, and know that, although it might not happen in the same way, He is loving all of you just as well & faithfully.
May we all learn to laugh at the days to come.
