Linny, at A Place Called Simplicity opened up a link for her wonderful Memorial Box Monday posts. I love these encouraging posts and I love that it reminds me to remember all of the miracles God provides for us on a regular basis!
A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that God had been with me through a time of change and He showed Himself clearly. Well, here is the rest of that story!
Two things were bothering me: 1. I was concerned about how to educate my special needs daughter at home. She has a lot to still go through and she had a really rough past, so bringing her home seemed like it would give her the nurture and love that she so needed, but I felt ill-equipped. God answered that right away with a conference in FL that was specifically structured to her needs. But (2.) I live 3,000 miles from that conference. So, Ok Lord, now what?
Here's what: I very much felt it was the Lord who showed me that conference and I felt that I should go. This is very contrary to my natural behavior. I had a nanny who helped us on a regular basis, but she was changing jobs at exactly that time and was completely unavailable. I felt like going was impossible, but since I thought it was the Lord's leading, I went ahead and purchased the tickets, paid for the hotel, and booked the flight. Still, no baby sitter for my 5 kids and 4 dogs. I remembered, though. God sometimes wants us to go forward even before we know how it will "all work out." I just trusted that it would.
The time kept getting closer and closer. I was a little nervous. Kevin surprised me with an invitation to a late lunch one day and I accepted. We had been discussing the situation, but neither of us had a solution yet. As we entered the restaurant, I was praying. I asked God, "Maybe the waitress needs more hours." As the prayer entered my head and heart, I thought I must be desperate and felt very silly. I do that sometimes and I think God thinks I am silly. (I hope so!) Anyway, if you read the post before, you will remember that our waitress recognized me and I remembered her from when she was younger. (I didn't know she worked there and I hadn't seen her in about 4ish years. I knew her when she was a young teen and I knew her family. I could never have anticipated seeing her there, though! - not even the same town!!!) We got to chatting and I (of course) asked her if she might be interested in child care. I couldn't talk to her long because she was busy, but a few days later, she came to our home, met our kids and our dogs and they all loved her! (of course) and she agreed to stay with them while we went to the conference! The kids had a great time with her while we were gone and she has now agreed to be our new nanny!
So, just incase you need a recap: God provided a conference full of the information I needed RIGHT when I needed it and then He provided help exactly in the silly way I had been praying. He could have done this in so many ways (in fact, I had almost called this sweet girl's mom that morning, but couldn't get to it.) I fully believe that He provided in this way so that it is clear that it was HIS doing.
Over and over again in John and many other books of the Bible, Jesus calls us to ask in His name so that the FATHER can be glorified. John 14:13 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
