How Big Is God?
Posted in Daily Focus on Saturday, July 5, 2014
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
When homeschooling limits your finances, do you trust God to provide for your every need? As I sat in the doctor's office and listened to him confirm my fourth pregnancy, I had no idea how God was going to help us afford the medical bills. Homeschooling and daily living expenses involved with raising three children had consumed my husband's total income. I knew we had no way to repay the costs for prenatal care, and I was forced to inform my doctor of our situation as he attempted to schedule my next appointment. Compassionately, he replied, "OK, let's just go ahead and schedule your next visits anyway. If God provides the money, you can pay me. If not, we'll just forget about the bill."
Reluctantly, my husband and I accepted our doctor's proposal, and I proceeded with my monthly visits throughout the summer months. Then, as we began our regular homeschooling schedule in August, the most amazing thing happened. A local business called and offered me a part-time accounting job writing dividend checks. I could perform the work at home during the evening hours, and if I finished the project before October, I could earn an hourly rate that was far above the current minimum wage. For the next two months, I worked long hours to homeschool during the day and complete my work at night for my new job. Exactly one week before I delivered our fourth child, I finished the project and earned not only enough money to pay our doctor, but also enough money to cover the entire hospital bill. God in His goodness had proven Himself faithful to provide for our every need.
Are you facing a financial crisis in your family because you have chosen to homeschool? God is big enough to meet even the most challenging situations. There is no problem too great that He cannot solve and no need so large that He cannot provide. Simply lay your burden before the Lord in prayer, and you'll be amazed at what He can do! "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed" (Psalm 37:25-26).
Lord, we praise You for Your abundant and timely provisions that reaffirm Your loving hand on our lives. Thank You for being big enough to meet every homeschooling need we have and using our family for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(15 comments)
ANN H 06/04/2009 13:12:23
Thank you so much for sharing this! We have just been hit this week with a huge financial burden. Back in March, we had the exact amount of money we needed to order school materials for the coming year. We felt led to go ahead and place that order - something we usually don't do until just a few weeks before we need them. If we hadn't, we'd have that money right now to meet this financial burden right now. I've really struggled with that yesterday and today, and I so greatly needed this post. He has shown over and over again that we were right in placing that order back in March. I just have to trust that TODAY! And I have to trust that the other things we so desperately need are going to be taken care of as well. thank you for sharing! God has definitely worked through this!
ADINA H 06/05/2009 11:11:14
Thank you...this is a timely reminder for me that our financial struggles (no matter how large)are in God's hands. His Grace will cover anything he's called us to do.
AMBER B 07/05/2010 08:59:56
Thank you for this post and so many of the others! I never miss one and at times feel that you are writing about my life! Each post is so much so just what I needed to hear. I thank God that I can home school and that He gives me little things like this to strengthen me and help me.
BECKY S 07/05/2010 13:49:18
What a timely message. This blessed me. Thank you!
TAMMY S 07/05/2011 05:05:28
We our selves have been in this same situation many times, whether it be with homeschooling or another crisis....sometimes it seemed as though our lives were crashing down around us...but according to his perfect timing He always made provision...& many times in ways greater than ever expected
DAWN C 07/05/2011 05:27:33
I needed this today as we try to raise the last $6,000 needed for our 5th adoption. We\'ve been able to finance the first 4 ourselves but this time the Lord called us in the most dry season. Thank you for sharing this testimony.
LORETTA D 07/05/2011 06:00:24
We had spent $3,000.00 or more on medical trips with our daughter with special needs whom needed to stay in ICU due to pneunomia and other medical conditions. Our church family helped us out by raising us the money we needed to pay the bills in February 2011. Just recently, May 22, 2011 our daughter was back in the hospital for the same medical conditions again but now added respiratory failure. On June 11,2011 there was complications with our daughter\'s care and we were in the position to make a decision to choose permanent life- support system or the natural route but either way the respiratory tube had to come out no matter what. So we decided to go the natural route hoping and praying that she could breathe for herself and God answer our prayers. As it was the medical team took the tube out and allowed me to lie beside her in the bed cuddled in my arms, she looked at me with her beautiful hazel eyes and her smile before she fell asleep in my arms and took her last breathe within the hour, she was only 11 years old, 2 months, and 25 days. Our daughter is now in the arms of Jesus and we had to make all the funeral arrangements that was needed, pay the bills, feel the loss and thinking this is one bad nightmare that is going to go away when we would wake up but unfortunately, everything is real and I can\'t see, feel, smell, hold my precious angel girl anymore. We didn\'t know if we can pay for all the bills, the funeral expenses, if my husband would have a job anymore let alone homeschool another year because of this financial burden we now have to carry with us and wondering if we had to sell our vehicle because now we have $350.00 less of an income due to our daughter passing from the government incentives. God has been blessing us enough to still pay the bills, purchase a patio set and barbeque @ half price to enjoy the outdoors in remembrance of our daughter, pay the funeral expenses, my husband still has a job and even earns $100.00 extra each month as a raise, our taxes are $100.00 less, etc. so far by using our church family and family and friends sending us money to help with our needs. The only thing I want the most is our daughter to be alive again for us to enjoy but that is impossible here on earth and now I have to wait to be with her again when God says it is time. I\'m happy to know that He has answered our prayers in another way even if she is not with us is by taking away all her suffering, disability, and pain and she is with Jesus and has eternal life with Him until I see her again. Lorjohn
JOANNE C 07/05/2011 09:31:53
It is truly amazing how God works. I was just feeling overwhelmed financially as I looked at the stack of bills to be paid and the dwindling bank account to pay them. I had a thought that maybe if I sent my kids to school, I could work full time instead of part time...then maybe we could get caught up on some of these bills!
I sat down at my computor to get some work done and was truly blessed by your message. I was reminded of the many reasons why God called me to homeschool my children. Despite the many times I have felt inadequate, God reminds me that He does not call the qualified...He qualifies the called.
I am also humbled and reminded of how truly blessed I am to have healthy children. Loretta, I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I have an 11 year old daughter myself, and I cannot begin to imagine your great pain. I lost my mother when my daughter was only two. I know without a doubt that she is in heaven on the welcoming committee. She loved holding her grandaughter, and I am certian that she is holding your sweet child now. I will be praying for you.
SORETHA P 07/05/2011 11:38:45
Soretha P from SA
Dear sisters in Christ thanks for sharing all fof you!!! Father bless all of you and hold each one that had lost a loved one! I just want to add Luke 1.37..\"for god nothing is impossiable!\"..
Greetings in Christ
Soretha
SORETHA P 07/05/2011 11:41:28
Soretha P from SA
Sorry MUST BE GOD CApital letters!! Little 19 month hit the send button before mom edited!
LUV
Soretha
MELISSA T 07/05/2011 11:42:48
Loretta,
As I\'ve been sitting here depressed & consumed by the amount of bills that are passed due & wondering how we\'re going to get caught up in a jobless state that we are currently in I came across this very timely & encouraging devotion. For whatever reason I ended up here reading everyone\'s comments & yours made me weep!
It made me set aside my own anxieties & selfishness & reminded me to be grateful for the things & people I have. God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us & the opening scripture to the devotion was perfect. I\'m reminded of Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 12:22-32, & Philippians 4:6-8 which I have found great comfort in during any hardship.
You have encouraged me greatly. Your faith is not shaken. Your confidence is with Christ. I commend you for that & pray that God\'s strength will continue to be your guide. As a mother to three very healthy boys I can\'t imagine the loss you have experienced other than losing a baby to a miscarriage. Just like you, I too know that my child is in the safest & best place to be...the feet of Jesus! Please know that I am praying for you!
\"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.\" Numbers 6:24-26
\"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.\" Psalm 31:24
CAROLYN M 07/05/2011 12:46:08
Carolyn M-Louisville, KY
I have been homeschooling for 3 yrs. The first year my husband lost his job right at Christmas. God provided all we needed. Yes, we had to work hard for it but it was He that provided the jobs. The second year was smooth, but the 3rd year another job loss occurred. This time was no different. We have spent a year within these 3yrs. without a job. We never missed a pymt to anyone. God is so good and He has ordained me to be a mom and teacher both. I only hope I can live up to His expectations and please Him in all I do.
NIKITA A 07/06/2011 07:38:01
I read the daily focus everyday, and I must say that each one blesses me and renews my spirit so that I am able to enjoy my day on a totally different level. While I never posts comments, my spirit would not let me go without sharing my testimony. I currently homeschool 3 out of 4 children (ages 3, 5, 7, 9) and we are still finishing up our first year as a homeschooling family. It has been quite a learning experience and like the story of so many of you, we have experienced a great financial strain. However, God is so good!!!! We currentlly bring in about $500 a month from my part-time job, due to my husband being laid off from work. I have a college degree, and one class away from obtaining my Masters but he only has completed two years of college, so the odds for me getting a well paying job are higher than his. To make a long story short, I have prayed for years to be able to homeschool my kids due to the lack of a good system and not being able to afford private christian education and he has provided for us the entire time!!! We never miss family vacations, birthdays, Christmas, field trips, etc. and I know it is all due to my faith in knowing that God will supply our every need. Just remain faithful and steadfast in knowing He is a Gread God and he knows your heart, as well as your needs!!!
KATHY S 07/09/2012 07:44:46
Loretta D,
I am just catching up on all my missed AOP devotionals now.
My heart goes out to you. I cannot imagine losing my child. How strong you are to be able to share your story. Your daughter is surley in Heaven with our Lord Jesus, and one day you will be together again.
I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for you that God puts his arms around you each minute of each day to try and comfort you.
In Christ,
Kathy
Victoria Mangano 07/06/2015 13:21:36
Love it, thank you for the encouragement!