We had something unexplainable happen two weeks ago. All these bills hit at the same time and a huge $700 unforeseen bill as well that shouldn't have hit us - we weren't gonna be able to get groceries that week. Fridge almost empty and we have three small children. We prayed together for help. We needed money now.
That weekend my husband went and helped his brother remodel his new home. His brother then gave my husband $400. Just cuz - knowing nothing about our problems. It isn't like anyone just suddenly gives us money like that - it was so weird! But def God.
That day we went and got groceries and diapers. When things like this happen, even though we have prior experience with God helping us out, we will look at each other and go "Whoa! Do you think that was God or just coincidence?"
Looking back though (and in my heart) I always know - that was God. But I think we doubt and wonder because it seems so outrageous that such a big God would care about tiny people like us. It's only natural. And also there's the fact that we can't exactly physically see God. There's a lot of wonderment for sure. But can we accept a little mystery? That is definitely a question here.
Maybe sometimes it's just hard to accept... God did this for me.
I believe that He is willing to just meet us where we're at...since He cares about us. Whenever something epic and totally unexplainable happens like this in my life, I feel like He is trying to get my attention. He wants to show me His love.
I have had people ask me this one. My response is that I know of people like this too. I know people who seem like they have all the money in the world (relatively) and are totally blessed. People who will go on vacations often to an extremely poor country - where they never help the suffering while there. This sickens me. Yet they have it all. Yes I myself have thought,
I try to help anyone I see but we always have money problems. Why is that? How is that fair?
"life's not fair" won't cut it. There is suffering. We want answers. I think it's okay to ask questions. I think God is big enough for that. Did He not make us with brains? Surely He knew we would at some point look around us and wonder, why. God knows I'm gonna notice that He helped me with groceries but what about that kid over there who just died of cancer....
Looking back though (and in my heart) I always know - that was God. But I think we doubt and wonder because it seems so outrageous that such a big God would care about tiny people like us. It's only natural. And also there's the fact that we can't exactly physically see God. There's a lot of wonderment for sure. But can we accept a little mystery? That is definitely a question here.
Maybe sometimes it's just hard to accept... God did this for me.
I believe that He is willing to just meet us where we're at...since He cares about us. Whenever something epic and totally unexplainable happens like this in my life, I feel like He is trying to get my attention. He wants to show me His love.
I've spoken with many people on this topic and heard a lot of what if's and how do you know's. So here is some Devil's advocate for you: But I know (insert name) who has it all. They are a non-believer and do not seem to care about others. Yet they have all of the comforts that this life affords. It's not fair. So what about them?
I have had people ask me this one. My response is that I know of people like this too. I know people who seem like they have all the money in the world (relatively) and are totally blessed. People who will go on vacations often to an extremely poor country - where they never help the suffering while there. This sickens me. Yet they have it all. Yes I myself have thought,
I try to help anyone I see but we always have money problems. Why is that? How is that fair?
"life's not fair" won't cut it. There is suffering. We want answers. I think it's okay to ask questions. I think God is big enough for that. Did He not make us with brains? Surely He knew we would at some point look around us and wonder, why. God knows I'm gonna notice that He helped me with groceries but what about that kid over there who just died of cancer....
For whoever wants to know why is life so unfair, I would just ask, how comfortable are you with ambiguity? Do you have to know all the answers to everything all the time? I mean is it a must? Ask yourself if that is even possible, because it's not.
I for one do not need every answer all the time. For those totally unanswerable situations, I believe in what I have read in the bible where it says that blessings and curses fall on the good and the bad alike, But I also believe that everyone's day of judgment will come - dead or alive. I may not see all of my rewards here on earth. It's cool with me. I'm not pissed at God for it. The bible also says not to envy the wicked when they prosper and seem to have it all. Like the story of Lazarus and the two rich vs poor men - they have their comfort now - in the here and now. Let them. Things will get real fair in the end. I whole-heartedly believe that.
I am so grateful that God chose to help us out last weekend. Sometimes that doesn't happen. We don't know why now, but one day we will and it will all make sense. Presently, we can only see a piece of the tapestry. Someday all will be revealed. For right now, we must be careful not to become bitter when God does not seem to step in in the times we felt He should.
Why did God allow my dad to die when I was 20? This is where humility and realizing our place comes in. My own children don't always understand why I do what I do. One day they will. But for now, my thinking and reasoning abilities are far more advanced than theirs. For now it's just best that they learn to trust me.
I think sometimes a little perspective can help too. Like asking ourselves "wait, what's the purpose of life even? What am I here for again? Oh yeah - it isn't: to have it all and always receive fairness." Sometimes it's just good to remind ourselves of that. The actual reason is to experience a meaningful love-filled relationship with God, and to show that love to others and help where we can.
I am so grateful that God chose to help us out last weekend. Sometimes that doesn't happen. We don't know why now, but one day we will and it will all make sense. Presently, we can only see a piece of the tapestry. Someday all will be revealed. For right now, we must be careful not to become bitter when God does not seem to step in in the times we felt He should.
Why did God allow my dad to die when I was 20? This is where humility and realizing our place comes in. My own children don't always understand why I do what I do. One day they will. But for now, my thinking and reasoning abilities are far more advanced than theirs. For now it's just best that they learn to trust me.
I think sometimes a little perspective can help too. Like asking ourselves "wait, what's the purpose of life even? What am I here for again? Oh yeah - it isn't: to have it all and always receive fairness." Sometimes it's just good to remind ourselves of that. The actual reason is to experience a meaningful love-filled relationship with God, and to show that love to others and help where we can.
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