I stepped over the mound of shoes and slid hard to the ground on a tray full of art supplies left in the doorway.
Ouch!
Sitting with a sore ankle on our well-worn couch, I complained to myself a bit more. If only we had a bigger house, with space where crayons and Legos and piles of shoes would not be so easily trampled on and tripped over.
My pity-party went on for quite some time as I “discussed” with God the fact that we need Him to show up… to provide a job for my husband, {most likely} a new place to live, and money to keep food on the table.
{For right now, as we have been seeking and searching God and His will, we don’t have a paycheck coming in. And at times, that fact alone causes my heart to panic and my faith to waver.}
It was with those self-centered thoughts that I glanced at the letter from our sweet Compassion girl… and I saw this picture…
(That’s sweet 6-year old Andrea in the blue dress with her daddy. This is their home in Honduras.)
The picture alone took my breath away, as I came to the realization that their home could fit neatly into our “I-think-it’s-too-small” living room.
And then I read her words. They were precious and grateful and loving, and somehow they helped me realize that God in His unbelievable mercy and His indescribable compassion, continually and completely provided for our every need! Every-single-one! We have food on the table, a house containing beds to sleep in, and (only because of God) more than enough money to pay our bills. It does NOT make sense. The money does NOT add up. For we should have been out on the streets or living with one of our parents by now… BUT GOD!!
And that sweet little girl in the blue dress pictured above? She should not have a new blue dress and shoes, a bed to sleep on, pounds of food, and bags of cement to help fix her cement-bricked-falling-apart home… BUT GOD! For by showing our family compassion and providing for us, He has also made a way to provide for our precious Compassion children.
What a great God… so full of compassion!
Through the work that God has (& continues) to do in my heart, I am so excited to “officially” be a part of the “Compassion Bloggers” team. I pray that as I share about Compassion here on this site, that together we can make an eternal difference in the life of a child like precious Andrea!
Would you consider sponsoring a child?
Your lives and theirs will never be the same!
{{September is “Blog Month” at Compassion International. Our goal is to get 3,108 children sponsored, getting more children sponsored via the Internet than any previous September in our history!! Would you join us!?}
Linked to Women Living Well.
This touched my heart in a big way today. :) Thank you for sharing! I will prayerfully consider sponsoring.
Thank you, Shannon! I’m praying for you today!
I too worry about how we’re going to make ends meet financially speaking, but I also have faith that God will provide. He’s made it clear that my place is home with the kids, but that doesn’t pay the bills. Yet, it does feed my kids their education both with school work and also the way they are suppose to behave in society.
My heart breaks for those who suffer even more than we do.
Oh Crystal, I’m praying right nowt that your faith will continue to strengthen and that you will feel God’s sweet peace in trusting in His provision for you and your family as you follow the path He has set out for you. What a precious realization that your children’s hearts and minds are being fed.
Many blessings to you! Jessica
I’m so thankful that God always answers our prayers. Oftentimes it is to give us a glimpse of perspective, isn’t it?!?!? We have not written our compassion child in a while. Thankyou for being used by God to bring our boy to the forefront of my mind.
Oh, that our eyes would see HIS perspective! I’m so glad that this was a quick reminder about that precious boy you sponsor! :) Have a wonderful day! Jessica
Thank you Jessica! I’m not working right now. My contract just finished 2 months ago in the company I was working at and this month has been a little stressful because the money is getting over and no job seems to appear but I’m praying all nights for a special job to come and I’m sure God will provide it :). God is great! The story you share with us today really helps me once again to give thanks to Him ’cause He is good and He always provides me in all my needs. ¡Blessings!
Your friend from Mexico, Cony :).
Dear Cony, I am praying for you right now that God will provide just the right job for you, and that He will continue to provide for all of your needs! It is a hard place to be… trusting God for your next meal… but, it is also a place of great joy as you wait on Him. Praying for you, dear one! Jessica
clicking…praying…searching…praying…clicking… Thank you for sharing this amazing way to share Jesus with other children around the world. I really appriciate it. I also hope for you to continue to see the blessings that abound in your home. *smile* Take a deep breath, cry out to Him, and get up. He is with us and is loving us through each moment. *smile* I’m sure you know this, just thought I would remind you. *small smile* Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
We have a great and awesome God! Thank you for your sweet reminder, and for praying for those dear ones!
Oh Jess, this post hit home big time!! I was just talking to my Husband about money and how I let it control me and feel me with worry. I need to stop!! It is literally causing me so much pain and stealing my joy! And, like you, my NEEDS are always met. I have no need to worry!! I am humbled by this post as I think of my own sponsored child and how much less he has and how happy he is! Shame on me for being so foolish and thinking that God will just all of a sudden stop caring and providing for me. He loves me…just as He loves my sponsored child, Bright, in Malawi, and your sweet sponsored girl as well as your sweet family! He sees what we NEED and He provides!!
Thank you for writing this!! <3
I’m so blessed by your words, Amy. There have been so many times that I’ve wished we didn’t “need” money. But, it certainly helps us learn that our true joy and provision is found in Christ alone! Thank you for your kind words! I’m praying for you! Jessica
Jessica sweet friend. I am so proud and thankful how you are living out your faith, and sharing it with us. We are a one income family, and yes I complain if only we had this or that..life would be better when that is so not true! HE is ALL we need and HE is GOD who will SUPPLY ALL our NEEDS not wants.
Cheers from England Sweet Friend!
Nicole
Nicole, God has used you to encourage my heart time and time again- thank you! Yes!!! God is ALL we need, and He does supply all our needs! What a great God!! Jessica
Thank you for sharing this. This summer I was discussing doing this with my children after my sweet son Ian brought it to my attention. We talked about it. Discussed giving from their allowances. Then I dropped the ball. It’s something I want to instill in my children and something I feel some of my children already have placed in their hearts. Blessings.
Amy
Oh Amy, I’m so thankful to hear how God has been working in the hearts of each of you… even if you did need an extra reminder. ;) Now you just need to choose that precious boy or girl! :) Jessica
What a beautiful reminder today to be thankful for all God has blessed us with. We sponsor two precious girls through Compassion too and their thankfulness amazes me continually. I am using their pictures and stories to help teach my children the gift of compassion and thankfulness too. Some Compassion Bloggers are linking up our weekly posts during this month long campaign. Would love if you would join us!
Blessings, Michelle
http://teaganstravels.blogspot.com/2012/09/linking-up-for-compassion.html
Thank you, Michelle! I look forward to joining you and seeing even more stories of those who sponsor precious children around the world!