Thursday, March 8, 2012

In the Desert

I am sure most of you have heard the story of how God led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Then how when they got into the desert, the people complained against God, thinking He was going to let them starve, even after all He had already done for them (parting the Red Sea, etc.).

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
Exodus 16:3

I used to feel real superior when I read that story and think to myself "How could they doubt God after all He had done for them?" Then one day, I had an epiphany when I realized that I do the same thing all the time myself.

Take today for example. Yesterday was an amazing day. I had a phone call from a creditor that I had sent a $25 payment to last week. They offered to settle the account for $320 (it was around $575) AND accept $25 a month on that amount. What a huge blessing. I really felt like God was blessing us for our efforts.

Then this morning, I get an e-mail from a parent who may want to take their child out for the summer so he can stay with his brother at grandma's. Now, don't get me wrong, I totally understand that. But our budget is very precarious right now and it threw me for a loop for a little bit. Instantly, I went into pity party mode: "Why me? Why do things go wrong as soon as they seem to start going right?". Then I realized...God will take care of us. He will provide a way. I may not see that way yet, but it's here. I already know of another family who may be looking for a spot just for summer for their child, so it will all work out. And I do have in my policy that I will charge a fee to hold a spot open. So if they do want to hold the spot, then I will at least have that income coming in.

God is in control!

6 comments:

Mandy said...

That is great that they will settle for that with you!

Tammy Fines said...

I love reading your journey, Tracy! :) Allen and I have been reading through the Bible one day at a time. We are now in Joshua, so I can relate to your story. The Israelites were so blessed, just as we are, and yet the Israelites fail God many times, as we do. People say Bible days were so much different, yes in a sense of the way they lived they were but we are the same today, just in a much different way.

It amazes me how much God continues to love us no matter what mistakes we make. We are so blessed that we don't have to go through the sacrificial ways they had to handle things such as burning a calf on the altar or waiting a year for the Priest to make an atonement for our sins. God is so good and your right, God will be there in the midst. We just have to have faith and trust him.

We are a people just like the Israelites but yet we are blessed with the love of Jesus who just forgives us when we ask him sincerely. :) Thanks for sharing your journey!

Sister, Tammy! Love ya~

Di said...

I am glad to see that you are getting some response for your effort. I hope the tax problem is also getting straightened out. I know sometimes things look really bleak, but keep your chin up and keep trying. Eventually you will find that the hole you were in is getting shallower and shallower!

KiddoKare1 said...

Thanks Mandy, Tammy, and Di! Di, we are making payments on one of the tax bills and waiting to hear back on another one. We owe money this year and I am going to take that out of my "REWARD" check which should be coming later this month. We also have adjusted Tom's withholding so that hopefully we won't find ourselves in this position again.

Unknown said...

Great article!! Yes God is in control and sometimes He will surprise us when we least expect it!!!

KiddoKare1 said...

So true Brenda! Hard to remember that sometimes!