On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.
--2 Corinthians 1:10b (NIV)
My father-in-law put his foot down. He refused to allow me to take advantage of him "a day longer" than we agreed. We had already proven to be the nightmare case of "boomerang kids"--his daughter, his grandson, and I--having lived under his roof for almost a calendar year. Now, with the final deadline looming, he was in no mood to give an extension--even if I was waiting to hear back about an application for an apartment.
I was terrified because I could not imagine where I could house my family until our new accomodations were finalized. Since my financial collapse the year before, I had saved up enough for the downpayment and the month-and-a-half security, but I didn't see a way I could also afford a hotel stay in the interim. But I knew I couldn't miss Dad's deadline; he might not have thrown us to the curb, but I would have destroyed any vestiges of his patience and my own dignity.
Quite miraculously, though, my wife was approached by our Church Mother--an octagenarian living alone in a two-floor duplex with a spare bedroom--who told her she dreamed we asked to stay with her for a while. We had carefully concealed our troubles from our church family, so I could only explain the offer as divine intervention. Our brook Cherith had dried up, but God had prepared a widow in Zarephath. We stayed with Mother until we signed the lease to our new apartment three weeks later.
The Lord will uphold us through any trial or adversity. He shows up in the nick of time.
--2 Corinthians 1:10b (NIV)
My father-in-law put his foot down. He refused to allow me to take advantage of him "a day longer" than we agreed. We had already proven to be the nightmare case of "boomerang kids"--his daughter, his grandson, and I--having lived under his roof for almost a calendar year. Now, with the final deadline looming, he was in no mood to give an extension--even if I was waiting to hear back about an application for an apartment.
I was terrified because I could not imagine where I could house my family until our new accomodations were finalized. Since my financial collapse the year before, I had saved up enough for the downpayment and the month-and-a-half security, but I didn't see a way I could also afford a hotel stay in the interim. But I knew I couldn't miss Dad's deadline; he might not have thrown us to the curb, but I would have destroyed any vestiges of his patience and my own dignity.
Quite miraculously, though, my wife was approached by our Church Mother--an octagenarian living alone in a two-floor duplex with a spare bedroom--who told her she dreamed we asked to stay with her for a while. We had carefully concealed our troubles from our church family, so I could only explain the offer as divine intervention. Our brook Cherith had dried up, but God had prepared a widow in Zarephath. We stayed with Mother until we signed the lease to our new apartment three weeks later.
The Lord will uphold us through any trial or adversity. He shows up in the nick of time.
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Re: When the brook dried...
Tue, April 8, 2008 - 7:11 PMJoseph,
Praise God for his miraculous provision!
I'm starting a new business, and I've been going through some financial challenges. About a week ago, I figured out what I think I'll need to carry me through, (until the delayed project I'm working on should be complete). I estimated $10,000 should do it. I've been praying about whether I should ask someone I know who is quite wealthy to "invest" in me for a few months. Not something I've ever done. I'm used to being the lender. But I've been learning about humility, lately.
Yesterday, I received a letter in the mail from one of my unions. It was a notice that my IAP Pension plan had been terminated on December 31, 2007. I immediately called the union to ask what I had done wrong, and was told that it was a supplimental employer contribution fund that the union was no longer carrying, so it was cancelled for everyone in the union, not just me. I could reinvest the the money into in IRA, or take a lump sum distribution. I was told the details were in the letter. I read the letter more closely, and learned there is a 20% tax withholding, plus a 10% tax penalty if you are under age 59 1/2, which I am. I thought "That's crazy!" If I take the cash, I "lose" 30%! I calculated that meant paying $4,440 in taxes and penalties. I would "only" be left with....
$10,360... Wait a minute... That's a bit more than what I estimated I need. So, I'm not complaining about taxes and penalties.
My brook wasn't totally dry, but I still see God's hand in the provision. I see this as God "investing" in me!
That's my testimony! ;)
"On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us." Amen!
Peace,
Peter
