God provides

I recognized the name immediately as the note came across my desk, and I quickly asked my coworker if this particular client was still on the phone, waiting for someone to pick up, and she said yes so I gladly jumped on the line to see if everything was ok. I know that a lot of the time when I write about what I do, readers are quick to assume that the clients that I have the honor to serve fit a certain mold. It's a preservation thing and I get it. No one wants to think that they could ever become homeless, or disabled, or unemployed. Sometimes putting people in a labeled box where you can put the lid on top of them keeps their reality separate from our own. Unfortunately, for the elementary school teacher, or the grocery store manager, or the cashier that deposits your paycheck every payday at your local bank, it is easy to see that the borders of the box aren't quite as concrete as one might think. All it takes is one catastrophic blow before the  financial  stability of a household is spiraling out of control. Sometimes a resolution is hard to find. Thankfully, God's bounds know no limits and when He allows me a small glimpse into what He's up to, it's a great day.

Back to the story. I make it a habit to pray over the lives of those I come into contact with. Whether they ask me to, allow me to, or I do after they leave, I always lift them up to the One who knows what the true answer for their predicament may be. Maybe they call because they need rent. Maybe it's a Conway Corp bill. Whatever they present with to me is lifted to the One who knows the true need, and is so good to save. Before I lifted up the phone to take the call, my God was already on the move. I listened intently as the voice on the other line told me how he continued to struggle medically, but confess his trust in Jesus as the picture he painted seemed grim. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and for a split second, I remembered what it once felt like to wonder if the landlord might be coming over with an ultimatum because finances were tough and money had fallen short. Alas, there was a sweet voice coming through the man's phone as I heard him emphatically thank whomever it was for dropping off some second hand clothes that his daughters could have for new school clothes. I reveled in the sound of his voice as you could tell he was holding back tears while graciously thanking the kind donor who had met a need. This story was just getting good.

Our conversation led to a few resources that I gave him that I felt like would be able to help in this financial plight that we were facing, and at the end of it, I reminded him to keep me posted so that we could fill the gap for whatever remaining needs were unmet. There was hope, but even bigger than anything we could give. I received a call this afternoon  from another organization that was going to pay for his entire rent! In the world of charitable agencies, this is huge! But it doesn't end there!

At the other agency, a man walked in. He struck up a conversation with one of the workers about how he himself had once been homeless. He knew what it meant to struggle, and his heart had led him to the place where my client now sat in the back room after receiving the news about his rental assistance. As the once-formerly homeless man described what he was being led to do for someone else, the worker knew exactly who she could refer for the gift, and he was still on the property after receiving rental assistance! It was the man struggling with a debilitating disease that left him unable to work, yet still offering praises to an Almighty God for providing clothing for his daughter, a paid way for whatever sports his kids wanted to play, courtesy of a once-homeless stranger, a place to sleep for atleast another month, and a case manager who is determined to keep the lights on and the air cool so that those kids can see the homework that they will be starting on soon.

You might be surprised to hear me say that the lesson I learned today isn't necessarily how God is so good at providing for people, because I already know this. He always has the final say so, and whether or not my friend received millions of dollars in assistance today or not, I would still confidentally say that. I would rather trust God while crawling through the desert versus relying on my own understanding any day, because his answer is always going to be the best. All of this is a given with me.

Rather, I thank God for the people that simply responded "yes" today. That were willing to take what little they had and watch it multiply when placed in the hands of the One who fed over 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. Not only did he do it back then, he does it now. From the donation of clothes, to the formerly-homeless man who felt nudged to help out someone else out, to all who will continue to strive to meet the needs of this family: God uses those who are willing to say "yes" to him everyday.

This story is not my story. It is the story of anyone who responds with a resounding "yes" to the call that God places on their heart that day, and it is the best place to be.

Much thanks to my friend for allowing me the pleasure of sharing this inspirational story today.