Iceberg Ahead?!?

My poor, poor blog. It’s been so neglected with the recent storms in my life. Thanks for still coming by and checking for new posts. Hope spring eternal, right?

This past week was the anniversary of beginning foster care. Hard to believe an entire year has gone by with more than our family living in our house. Yet “our family” looks much different than it did when we began. I look back and see God’s hand in the timing. Fostering, while not hugely profitable, is one of the many financial ballast compartments keeping this Titanic afloat. But … if I hear violin music of Nearer, My God, to Thee, I might get scared.

Speaking of, I was talking to a friend recently who commented that she and her husband had no idea how I was “making it.” I assured her that, miraculously, I was doing fine between child support, writing, editing, fostering, and subbing when school is in session.

Then I came home and thought, “WAIT! AM I making it??? HOW can I possibly be making it???” So my type A personality ran the next 90 days through my money program and–what? I look like I’m doing okay. Funny how someone else’s doubts can create your own.

Here’s a little snippet from 1 Kings 17(NIV) that captures how I feel about God’s provision. But don’t worry–I’m not as morose at the widow!

The Widow at Zarephath

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’ “

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

8 Responses to Iceberg Ahead?!?

  1. Sherrie Ashcraft July 5, 2009 at 10:32 pm #

    Lettuce pray!

  2. Jessica July 6, 2009 at 2:58 am #

    That’s a very cool thing that happened to the widow. Can you imagine? Yet, God does the same stuff for us but sometimes we can’t see it.
    Great post Christina! I’m so glad everything is running smooth for you. 🙂

  3. Cindy July 6, 2009 at 10:25 am #

    Thanks so much for the post, Christina. God is truly a great provider. It’s hard not to have doubts sometimes but fortunately our God is faithful even when we stumble a little.

  4. Susan J. Reinhardt July 6, 2009 at 3:24 pm #

    Hi Christina –

    I’m thankful that God cares about every aspect of our lives. He watches over us more than we imagine.

    This is totally silly, but I’ve been desiring blueberries. I love them on my cereal, but they’ve been so outrageously expensive, I’ve passed them by. A couple of weeks ago, I was in Costco and found 2 lbs. of blueberries for a little over $5.00. Woohoo!

    An added blessing, I’m still eating them, and they’re not going bad. I didn’t pray about it or search for them, but He saw the desire of my heart.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

  5. Karin July 6, 2009 at 4:48 pm #

    Isn’t it amazing how He provides?

    I’m like you – I sat down and looked at all of our finances and figured out exactly how much my hubby and I needed to make in order to pay our bills. Then I quit my job, the hubby was diagnosed with cancer and…God provided!!

    One year after his official “cancer free” declaration and we’ll be debt free by the end of the year PLUS we have a down payment for a house!!

    God’s math is SO much better than ours 🙂

    Many blessings to you!

  6. Lynetta July 6, 2009 at 5:37 pm #

    Thanks for this note of praise, Christina! It’s exciting to see God providing and a blessing to hear about financial peace in your life. I guess I’m a little partial to that area of life since we uprooted our family to work in a ministry that offers hope and help for those who need it.

  7. Sally Bradley July 7, 2009 at 8:59 pm #

    Christina, I’m glad to hear you’re making it!

  8. Christina Berry July 11, 2009 at 3:21 pm #

    Isn’t my mom hil-ar-i-ous! 😉

    Thank you all for leaving a note of encouragement. I KNOW I’m not alone on this journey of faith in finances, but hearing from all of you and your testimonies or observations is wonderful!