"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. That which I can do, by the grace of God I will do."
Over a month ago, long before COVID-19 was even a passing thought,
I had been given a gift card to an online grocery store called Thrive.com. I
filled up my cart with a bunch of new goodies to try and clicked the checkout
button to place my order. Suddenly a feeling of uneasiness fell over me though.
I became uncomfortable and decided to put the purchase on hold for a while. A
few days later I had some free time while at work and thought I would try using
my gift card again. Immediately, that same perplexing feeling swept in and the longer
I shopped, the more intense it grew.
After a couple of minutes, it became so powerful that I actually dropped my phone onto my desk and sat with my eyes wide as saucers. Completely bewildered and concerned as to why this kept happening to me, I said silently inside of my mind, “I need to talk to God about this first...”. The very instant I finished saying these words, something happened to me that I had never experienced before in my life. A random burst of laughter sprung out from within me and couldn’t stop smiling! Out of sheer embarrassment I quickly covered my face with my hands. It was as if God’s Spirit had called out from within, “You finally got it! I am very happy with your decision!”
In that moment it dawned on me, that this gift card was intended to be used for someone other than myself. When I got home I asked the Lord for guidance in what to purchase and how many of each item. When I finished my prayer, another clue popped into my mind like light switch being turned on. That clue was “Two”. So, I filled my cart with two of every brand and type of food. This time when clicking the checkout button, I felt a sense of relief. Shortly after the food was delivered, my husband walked into the spare bedroom where the boxes were being stored and asked out of curiosity “Why so much food?” my response was, “I don’t know yet, but God knows who it’s for so I’m waiting for Him to show me”.
When we were informed about the quarantine order, I packed up the food donations and came home to stay with my parents in rural Pennsylvania. Shortly after I settled in, I felt the Lord reassuring me that it was finally time to deliver the food. My grandfather is a minister and he and my grandmother run a food bank from the church to help local families in need. So naturally, I decided to go to them first to see if they happened to need donations. I packed up two separate boxes and wrote the recipients anonymous letters before delivering them to the church. When I walked in the door, I placed the boxes on the floor and said, “This might sound strange, but I believe these are for two very specific families. Does this make sense to you?” Without hesitation my grandfather responded, “Yes! I know exactly who these are for. We have been helping to support these two families for many years and we will get the care packages to them!”
After a couple of minutes, it became so powerful that I actually dropped my phone onto my desk and sat with my eyes wide as saucers. Completely bewildered and concerned as to why this kept happening to me, I said silently inside of my mind, “I need to talk to God about this first...”. The very instant I finished saying these words, something happened to me that I had never experienced before in my life. A random burst of laughter sprung out from within me and couldn’t stop smiling! Out of sheer embarrassment I quickly covered my face with my hands. It was as if God’s Spirit had called out from within, “You finally got it! I am very happy with your decision!”
In that moment it dawned on me, that this gift card was intended to be used for someone other than myself. When I got home I asked the Lord for guidance in what to purchase and how many of each item. When I finished my prayer, another clue popped into my mind like light switch being turned on. That clue was “Two”. So, I filled my cart with two of every brand and type of food. This time when clicking the checkout button, I felt a sense of relief. Shortly after the food was delivered, my husband walked into the spare bedroom where the boxes were being stored and asked out of curiosity “Why so much food?” my response was, “I don’t know yet, but God knows who it’s for so I’m waiting for Him to show me”.
"So shall my word that goes forth out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but will accomplish that what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11
When we were informed about the quarantine order, I packed up the food donations and came home to stay with my parents in rural Pennsylvania. Shortly after I settled in, I felt the Lord reassuring me that it was finally time to deliver the food. My grandfather is a minister and he and my grandmother run a food bank from the church to help local families in need. So naturally, I decided to go to them first to see if they happened to need donations. I packed up two separate boxes and wrote the recipients anonymous letters before delivering them to the church. When I walked in the door, I placed the boxes on the floor and said, “This might sound strange, but I believe these are for two very specific families. Does this make sense to you?” Without hesitation my grandfather responded, “Yes! I know exactly who these are for. We have been helping to support these two families for many years and we will get the care packages to them!”
Many minds across the globe are disquieted not knowing how these monumental changes will affect their livelihood. Will my family or myself contract this virus? Will I lose my job or family business? How will I pay my bills or feed my family? These are very real and valid apprehensions each of us are facing together. I wished to share this story with you, because it is just one example of why Christians should not be living out their days on earth in unrest and in fear of abandonment."Somebody, somewhere is depending on you to do what God has called you to do."
Our Heavenly Father foreknew these two families would need His support long before recent events began to radically change the lives of our entire nation. He knew in advance that grocery stores would be wiped clean and that jobs would be lost, that it we be nearly impossible for these families to get food at the time they needed it most. He is also aware that this earthly food will eventually disappear, that money may run low; but in this I am convinced, my faithful and Almighty God will continue to nurture and save. We may not remember the food that nourishes our bodies from week to week, but we benefit eternally from the spiritual food that strengthens our faith in times of trial.
What a blessing it is witnessing time after time, how our Father works deep within the hearts of His children in order to accomplish His will for another. THIS was the extra dose of encouragement I needed to get through these unpredictable times. Things may look dark and bleak now, but darkness is a breeding ground for creation. To sprout a seed, it must be planted in darkness. The new life a mother carries within her, is formed in darkness. "Though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." (Micah 7:8). God knows what is best for us. There are times when we need the sunshine and times when we benefit from the storm. In darkness, I will wait and pray with my eyes to the Heavens. Upon His word and His promises all my insecurity and fears disappear. I will wait upon the glory of our blessed hope, King Jesus!
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