Jehovah Jireh

It's commonly spoken, but Matthew 6:25-34 says; “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Shortly after finding out we were expecting the twins Brock started telling me, "Arica, we need to pray that God will give us a van." We were driving a Ford 500 with no AC and a door that didn't latch when it got too cold; and a Honda Pilot that had no accommodations for the four carseats I was about to need in my vehicle. 

Brock is my "have big faith" guy when it comes to this kind of stuff. I didn't doubt God could do it, I just didn't think He was going to choose to in the season our church was in.  We had just launched the 'SENT Initiative'. This was a vision campaign for our church that focused on all of us coming together to radically and sacrificially give so we could build a facility and also plant more churches. Currently, we worship in a middle school but are quickly outgrowing our space because God is doing what he said he would do and is building His church. The need for our own facility was prominent and months of preparation went into us personally praying for the number God wanted us to give toward this.

That's why I didn't think the Lord was going to just give us a van through this season. I knew the sacrifices we were making and couldn't imagine someone giving on top of what they already were. But Brock kept telling me to pray. And so, half heartedly I would say, "Lord, you know we need this, but if you would have your way, would you choose to provide this."

But not just any van. Brock wanted specifics after researching what would last our family awhile. He said to pray for a Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey that was 2012 or newer.

"...O you of little faith."

The day our church had the commitment Sunday of what we were going to give, we had a lunch after it. I had to leave during clean up to  relieve our babysitter but Brock stayed behind and a family approached him informing him that He and his wife separately, after hearing we were having twins, both felt they should buy us a van. They wanted to know how we felt about a Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey and thought it would best to get 2012 or newer. They had a car guy who was going to start looking for us if we were comfortable with all of that. 

I was truly speechless as Brock called me elated on his way home. And just a few months later, a black 2012 Toyota Sienna pulled into our driveway. I skipped out the door with my three-year-old the day it arrived, it was the coolest thing to tell him God gave us a van. 

"...your heavenly Father knows that you need them..."

Fast forward a few more months, and it was evident the Lord was pulling at me to give up working two days a week at my salon. I was slightly anxious. We had based part of our commitment to the church off of my income and me working allowed for a few more dollar bin Target runs and sweet treats through the week. Brock was affirming the thought of me being done, and as we thought about someone else watching newborn twins, a one-year-old, and a three-year-old, we knew it was right.

So in July, I stopped working. Again, I knew the Lord was able. But selfishly, I didn't want to be living so "tight" over the next two years. 

"...And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?..."

Jehovah Jireh means "the Lord will provide."

We have literally watched God POUR out his provision to us during this season. One day coming home from work, there were two brand new carseats delivered to our front porch. Our small group and a lady from our church threw us showers. I was graced with a diaper train. Hand me down girl clothes. Every item we needed for their arrival was provided. Truly. Every. Item.

It's a humbling thing to watch God work and it honestly brings me to tears when I take the time to look around or when driving my minivan. But my goodness, does He take care of us. Help me Lord to seek first your kingdom, always. Forgive me for my wandering heart that gets too easily swayed by the world's standards.  Forgive me for always wanting the path that is easy and can be seen.  Lord lead me to trust in the way you choose to provide...even when I can't yet see it.

"...But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."