He Provides!

I have been thinking lately about writing down all of the ways that God has provided for us in the last few months, because there have been so many! He has continued to remind me that He cares... and not just about the "big" things, but about the "little" things as well. In the last few months, I have prayed for very specific things and He has provided, often through means that I didn't expect.

Some examples: We had planned a short trip to Dallas at the beginning of June to see my family, but about a week or so before the trip, we realized that we just didn't have the money to pay for gas to get there. I prayed that God would somehow make a way. A few days later, I was telling a sweet friend that I didn't think we were going to be able to go anymore. And a couple of days later, I received a check in the mail for the amount we needed in order to make the trip work! Thank you Jesus!!!

This summer, a friend of ours from church who is a personal trainer wanted to do a summer bootcamp. After having 3 babies in 4 1/2 years, I was REALLY wanting to do the class, to help get me back on track and back into my clothes. I tried selling something to cover the cost of the class, but wasn't having any luck. About 2 weeks before the class started, I prayed that somehow God would allow me to do the class and that afternoon another friend called and said that she really wanted to do the class too and wanted to have a friend with her and said that I was coming with her. He provides!

On top of that, God has blessed us with people giving us clothes that we've needed. We have received gift cards to go out to eat (that's something we've had to almost give up completely during this season of life). We've had friends volunteer to babysit so Ryan and I could have dates. God has just continually shown us that He cares and He provides.

Through all of those amazing gifts, there were still some things that we have needed financially. We have continued to pray that God would provide to meet those needs. Our church has been reading through the first five books of the Bible in the last 3 months and we have been discussing it weekly with our life group. It's been so great to read through the story of the Israelites.

Well a couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, there was a job listing in our church bulletin for a teacher at our church's preschool. Ryan pointed it out to me, but I brushed it off. I knew that all the other teachers there were actual education majors and were more qualified than me. Ryan kept asking me all day to just call and talk to the preschool director about it. I begrudgingly said I would call him the next day, but told Ryan not to get his hopes up.

That same Sunday evening at life group, we were discussing portions of Numbers and talking about how God always provides for His children. Then we talked about how sometimes God provides for us in ways we don't expect and sometimes in ways we don't even want. We talked about how disrespectful it is to complain about how God chooses to provide.

So the next day, I kept trying to talk myself out of calling about the preschool job. You're not a teacher. You're not qualified. They are going to be annoyed that you are even calling. Everyone else has more teaching experience. They probably already have someone in mind. Those are the thoughts that kept running through my mind.

And then, out of nowhere, I heard God speak quietly to my heart. He said, "What if this is how I am choosing to provide for your family during this season? Do not complain about how I choose to provide."

I immediately picked up the phone and called my future boss.

Fast forward a week, I interviewed for the job and it went really well. Fast forward another week, which brings us to this past Thursday, I got a phone call officially offering me a job to teach 4 year olds at our preschool this year!

I have gone from very apprehensive about it to being very excited about this year. I feel very blessed that if I have to work, I can work in the same building as my little boys.

Thank you Jesus for your provision! We could not be more grateful! We give you all the glory!