Inspiration Corner: It All Started with a Woman and a Cow. What a Christmas! The prayer request popped up on my computer screen:
When you all have a minute, please read my blog or see my post of about an hour ago on FB. Girls, we need to pray for rain on the plains of Kenya! It is serious. Lynn and Angie, the woman in this post, Nanyu, received gifts from you all in November. Angie, your precious Sisters of Faith shirt (that she reserves for 'good occasions' like church). Lynn, your $1 Kingdom assignment started the snowball that bought her their family's first cow. The status of that cow right now, we're not certain.
Seeking Him,
Marsha
***
Lynn, your $1 Kingdom assignment started the snowball that bought her their family's first cow. The status of that cow right now, we're not certain.
~These words resonate in my mind.
I read the email again.
*sigh*
I slumped as I sat at my desk. "O Lord, my heart is moved almost on a daily basis by the needs of this world. I desperately want to give money away. But, Lord, we have been unemployed for eight months now. There isn't any money to give."
"Lynn, do you remember months ago you paid for a registration for a conference? Do you remember the administrator told you they had already paid your registration? Do you remember that $75 is still sitting there waiting for you to tell them how to disperse it?"
"Yes, Lord, but I was thinking I may need that money to pay for travel."
"You could give this money to the woman with the cow."
I sat there truly in a quandary. Right now $75 is A LOT! My unbelieving husband would likely be annoyed with me if I hand over money to a woman with a cow when we need to pay bills.
My head hung as a battle raged over my heart and mind. These very moments are the quiet and unsuspecting decision points in which the spiritual realm is desperately fighting over our heads.
"Keep that money. No one will know."
"You need that money. It is yours. Why give it away to woman and a cow."
And then.
"Okay, Lord. I will trust you. It is yours. I will give it to the woman and the cow."
Finally the Holy Spirit triumphs over earthly logic.
I lift my head. The word "faithfulness" floated gently about in my mind. I resigned to let go of that $75 and believe the Lord will handle my finances.
I emailed my friend at the conference and instructed her to use the money for the woman with the cow or for the conference. I knew she could make the best decision because she knew the situations of both very well. Either way, I released my claim and gave it to Jesus.
I smiled knowing that I did the right thing.
The next morning:
Ring, Ring.
"Hello"
"Merry Christmas!" *giggle* My mother's enthusiastic greeting sang through the phone.
"What."
"Today is Christmas."
"Um, Mom. It's September, what are you up to?"
"Well, I came into some unexpected money and I was planning to give you and your sister a portion this Christmas. But, your sister wants hers now. So, do you want yours now or do you want to wait to Christmas?"
"What!" I repeat.
You can hear the broad smile in her voice. She likely is picturing my dumbfounded look from three states away.
"Mom, what," I stammer, "Who, where, what, tell me everything. How much are you talking about?"
"A lot."
She spoke a figure.
I started to tremble. "Oh, Mom, just yesterday the Lord told me to be faithful. To trust Him. To believe He would provide for us. Mom, He sent you."
My measly $75 was dwarfed more than 100 times over by the Lord's faithfulness.
Gulp
Tears rise as I type this now. Still today, I am barely able to believe. Why after all these years of walking with God am I continually amazed by His faithfulness? Then I am amazed that I'm amazed. How utterly patient He remains with me. Gently pushing me along to bigger trusts and faithfulness.
This portion of God's faithfulness is the miracle I have been praying for. I plan to use this money to serve the people of His Kingdom. And to top it all off, my husband, my unbelieving husband says to me. "Use it for your ministry."
God has provided much more than I can dream or desire. Time and again, I have experienced the faithfulness of God. And for those things in which I still wait, I can wait patiently. Our God knows what He is doing. More than anything He wants us to experience Him in profound and life-altering ways.
Does God always work like this in my life? Rarely. Does He often tell me no more than yes? Frequently. Will He on rare occassions suprise me beyond my vast imagination? Absolutely.
Sometimes I need only to trust Him when it doesn't always make sense.
My prayer is you too will have a woman and a cow experience this very day!
Ring... Ring.... Merry Christmas.
Be Blessed, Lynn
PS: To Nanyu and your family in Kenya. Hang on because Jesus has friends and we are a comin'.
Perfect Winter 
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