Friday, June 13, 2008

Speechless

I have been stretching my faith recently. Like really asking God to help me with a specific thing (that's out of my control) and having faith that He will answer that prayer. And He did. Twice. Yesterday. We began our 3 day garage sale yesterday (our fourth one) and it was HOT HOT HOT - in the 90s. I spent my time from 8am to 1:40pm arranging all the extra donations we'd received since our previous garage sale. I am now so sunburned, it hurts to move! Around 3pm it started to sprinkle. I hurriedly put two long blankets over some of the clothes (not nearly covering half of them) and then I thought, No, I'm not going to do this - we need to pray that it won't rain until the garage sale ends at 4pm plus I couldn't put away it all without Tyler being home, which would be 4pm. I shared my plan with Anna and we said a prayer together. After the prayer - it was time to show my (our) faith. It was thundering LOUDLY and there were rainclouds in the sky, but I went and pulled off those blankets. Every time it thundered, I just looked at the sky and in my heart I proclaimed my faith and asked God to answer my prayer. It did not rain. Not another drop until 4:30pm and even then it was minimal. God truly, truly heard my prayer and answered it. I had customers come by who said it was raining nearby - He prevented the rain, something I couldn't do, because I prayed for it. I KNOW that. It wasn't a coincidence.

Second answer to prayer unfolded differently. When Tyler came home, I told him that I thought we'd made about $130 that day (a previous count from earlier). We had stayed up until 1am the night before and were up early that day getting everything ready - we worked HARD and only earned $130. We were discouraged, naturally, because we were looking to make $800 in three days and the first day (the best of all, weather-wise) had only brought in $130. I was sunburnt and dehydrated and we lacked the energy to pack up everything (again) into our garage and then to get it all back out again today and start again - especially with the forecast to rain today. So, we packed up everything (except for large items that could sell on craigslist) and took it down to the thrift store. I was heartbroken. I had asked God to bless us to earn $800 so we could begin our dossier, and we'd only earned a hundred and now we were taking everything else away. I just sat on the couch and cried - feeling like I had somehow messed up and prevented God from blessing me.

Fast forward to this morning, when I actually counted ALL the money we earned. It wasn't $100 - it was $400. And then I remembered a check from my friend for our adoption that I hadn't cashed yet - for $200, then I found some more checks which brought more money. By the time I had counted it all, we had $700+ to deposit into our adoption bank account. PLUS we have a bed, entertainment center and other items to sell on craigslist which will DEFINITELY bring in another $100. I don't know what to say. We earned that money with only one day of our garage sale - and it's a good thing, because I didn't have it in me to do another day outside. I am so sore from the sunburn and deprived from a lack of sleep - I don't think I could have done it again. And I'm grateful that God knew that and for the blessings that he gives me. In addition to all of this - we've been wanting a rocking chair for Keith's room. I have LONGED to rock a baby again. The Snyder family brought us a rocking chair this morning - they didn't know that we wanted one. I feel so blessed through this adoption - I cannot even express it to you. I never sought this trial/blessing rollercoaster that I'm on, but God has certainly NOT forgotten me. I am so grateful to Him. I just wanted to share that.

7 comments:

Kathey said...

I'm so sorry you're having to go through all these trials, but aren't the results FABULOUS?

It sounds like Heavenly Father really has guided and helped you every step of the way. Thank you for sharing everything. It's inspirational for us all.

Love, Kathey

Alabama Apples said...

Thank you for your heartfelt post! Simply by reading it, you have strengthened my faith. The Lord knows each of us and our personal struggles. You have brought to my mind the many times the Lord has answered our prayers in a variety of ways. Thank you!

Melisa said...

Wow, Warrior Jill! What an inspirational post. Thank you for sharing such personal stories.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you were faithful and it paid off. Sometimes it is hard to put our faith in God, but when we do it always pays off in the end. You are such a great example to Anna and me as well. Keep it up!!

Carina said...

You, my dear, are such an inspiration to me. It makes me so humbled to see you going through such trials and having such a positive attitude about it all. And what faith you have! Experiences like that are what make life worth living. I wish we could donate monetarily to help you. Just know that you are in my prayers and we wish you all the best!

Anonymous said...

What an upliftimg and inspiring post. Thank you so much for sharing. Isn't life like that? When you think you can't go on Heavenly Father steps in and provides a way. Thank you, Jill for reminding me of that.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing! Faith really can move mountains!