I love to tack scriptures on my wall for me to read as I sit in my creative work space! A few of them are Joshua 1:3-5, Romans 15:13, Proverbs 3:5-6, and my life verse Luke 10:41-42. They refocus me from anxiety to focused purpose when my mind won’t stop reeling.
Well, this year I longed to memorize and meditate on a hunk of scripture, so this past January I began memorizing Psalms 25. I heard someone read aloud a few verses of it, and it sang into my spirit. At this point, I don’t even remember which verses they were, because as I’ve broken down this chapter each section has spoken new life into areas I didn’t know needed it. After almost 3 months, I’m on Psalm 24:12-15. Remember, I said memorize AND meditate!! LOL!
I am not manipulating the timing of this scripture. I just finished sealing it in my heart, March 25, 2020! It speaks fearlessness, security, friendship, clarity and deliverance. Those are things we are all seeking right now in the middle of our surreal circumstances.
I know I don’t have all the answers for our big questions in the moment that we are in, but my Father Creator, Savior, and God does. When I listen, and follow the proddings He puts on my heart, He has been faithful. I love thinking back on His faithfulness, so IT’S STORY TIME! I’m headed back to mid- spring 2016…
Once upon a time, when we were new in the home where we now live, we needed some extra cash fast! Our roof had had it. It was done with life and the outdoors was raining in! We were already a single vehicle family in the “DC” area (which means a large mortgage, long commutes and heavy traffic). This is the situation in which we found ourselves: we’re military, new to the area, 3 very young children, one vehicle, and we were looking at our first huge debt right off the bat! So, I did what every God-fearing wife and mother of a special needs baby would’ve done…I panicked! Seriously panicked! Thankfully I was at a retreat that weekend. Originally, I wasn’t going to participate because we had no money, and I had a breast feeding baby, but the PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) leader strongly encouraged me to go. They even paid for me to go. So, I followed God’s lead, Brad and I worked it out, and I went.
The news of our impending expense came to me by way of a phone call from my husband while I was at the retreat. After my immediate panic, I shut myself up in my room and I cried. I had a beautiful panoramic view of the mountains set behind fields of horses. And there I cried and I begged the Lord for money. MONEY! Surrounded by all that natural beauty, I begged the Lord for money. I’ve never done such a thing in my life, but at this point He was the only one who could help. Through the the afternoon, evening and morning sessions my heart pleaded with God until I was exhausted. My PWOC sisters lifted us up in prayer as well, and filled my cup, but then it was time to go home to reality.
The retreat ended and I drove towards home, but I still had to drop of my carpool at the church. Feeling the need for a driving break, I parked and got out of the car as well. The Spanish church had just finished their service and were emptying out into the parking lot ,enjoying their sense of family, and lively conversation. So not to get caught up, I opted to go in through the back and found the restroom. “That’s a good idea,” I said to myself. I don’t remember if any of the ladies went in with me, but I do remember walking out of the restroom alone, and when I was walking out, the spanish pastor was there in the hallway. He looked at me with his warm white smile against his tan skin. His black eyes were dancing and squinted from his smiling cheeks as he said, “Hola.” I returned the expression and planned on continuing out the door but something in his face said wait. Check out this conversation we had…
Pastor: Are you the young lady that led worship this past Easter?
Me: Yes sir, it was! I hope you enjoyed it!
Pastor: It was wonderful! We were so blessed! Thank you for doing that.
Me: Of course! I loved it!
Pastor: We have several people in our congregation who are wanting to learn how to play piano so they can help build a worship team for our congregation. Would you be able and interested in teaching piano lessons for us?
Me: (My heart skipped a beat. I held back tears. I smiled and told him about what had happened over the weekend)
Pastor: God is good!
Yes, He is Pastor Jose! Yes, He is! Later that week, it was suggested to call our insurance and see what they thought of our roof situation. They sent out an adjuster to assess our home, and after he climbed all over our roof for about 5 minutes he called our insurance and told them to rewrite the claim. He saw clear evidence of a serious hail storm that had torn up the roof and shutters, and had also caused wind damage to our back door. It all had to be replaced. Insurance covered almost everything!
I was floored! Awe struck! Amazed! Overwhelmed! He heard me. He answered me. He saved us.
My husband told me I should pray like that more often! LOL! I think we all need to pray like that more often.
It would have been so easy for me to have stayed home that weekend and get caught up on unpacking…or sleep! But, if I hadn’t gone, my time pleading with the Lord in prayer would not happened – as Brad and I love to solve problem ourselves. I also wouldn’t have carpooled and dropped off the ladies at just the right time at church where I met Pastor Jose.
During this time of uncertainty, lets follow those gentle proddings the Lord gives us. Let’s follow the direction he takes us. Pray and seek Him. Cling to His Word and His faithfulness because He is…He is good, faithful, and true.
TTYS!
Jennifer Leja 