It never fails that wherever you go and no matter who you talk to; you can't go one day without hearing about someone who is in "need" of something. In fact we probably can't go one day without voicing our own needs and wants. Sometimes there's big needs and sometimes it's just a small want.
I'm sure this sounds like I am going to complain about how we should be satisfied with what we have but that's not where I am going with this.
There is certainly nothing wrong with needing things, that's how life goes; we all have a long list of needs that we require to stay alive and even more needs if we aspire to grow in fulfillment and happiness in life. But for every true need and for most of our wants there is always another story we should follow up with: telling of how God provided. I love hearing stories of how God provides for His people! I have a ton of my own stories about how God has provided and I haven't told many of them (and those I have told deserve being proclaimed over and over)!
So here is my first story:
This has been a year of new beginnings and transitions for Brandon and I, with the major item on the list being the new member of our family, little Riley Joel. This child has brought many new things for Brandon and I. New roles as a mother and father. New areas of our relationship as we venture to learn how to parent together.
And of course we have a new set of needs! more time, more money, baby supplies, a bigger living space, another car, more flexibility in our relationships...
Riley is only 6 weeks old and already I can testify that God has begun to provide for each of these needs and exceed our expectations (as usual). In fact most of these needs were taken care of before Riley was born!
- I (Sarah Ann) got a raise right before I left work for Maternity Leave.
- My boss insisted I take the entire 12 weeks of Maternity Leave with no pressure to return early, and even offered the possibility for extra time off work beyond the 12 weeks.
- My boss offered (I didn't even have to ask) for me to work part time from home after I return from Maternity Leave.
- Brandon got a new job with a higher salary. (There are other blessings with his new position but I will let him tell that story if he would like.)
- We had four baby showers that blessed with everything we needed for Riley Joel and more! We barely had to purchase any baby items from our own pockets. In fact we still have several gift cards we are using up on baby items. And don't expect to have to make any significant purchases for Riley Joel until his toddler years, including clothes (we probably have enough clothes to last until Riley is almost 2 years old)!
- We found a great place to live with enough space for our family in a great neighborhood, rent we can afford, all the amenities we need and pool to top it all off!
- And the most recent blessing came this weekend when the our Jehovah Jireh led someone to write us a check for $2,500.00 to put towards the purchase of a car! I don't even remember asking for any help with the car, I simply hadn't got to that in my prayers yet!
Well, I could go on and on, and already have quite a bit. Now I want to hear some of your stories!
