Jehovah Jireh

One of God's names is Jehovah Jireh, which means My Provider. He's been that to us so much lately.

When I think about telling others about Jesus, what I really want them to experience is the relationship I have with Him. Not my adherence to a strict code of rules, but a relationship. How He loves me no matter what I have done (or will do), and there's nothing I can do to earn His love. (It's given freely, by His grace, by simply asking for it.) How He responds to my needs in a real way.

Every once in a while I'll actually think, "How do I know that what I believe is truth? How do I really know?" One of the most powerful ways I know is by personal experience. (And it's hard to deny that.)

I've seen God move in my personal experience lately, and it's 1) thrilling, 2) humbling, and 3) makes me love Him even more. These examples may not seem earth-shaking to you, but let me tell you, they really meant a lot to me.

One night I was shopping with my Mom at Wal-Mart. I'd done the budgeting recently, and knew that our general fund had single-digits until our next paycheck. As I walked toward the pharmacy section, I prayed, Lord, we need some shampoo and conditioner. Could you please help me get a good deal on them? Or a rebate or something? On the shelf was brand I'd never seen before, with little cardboard rings around the bottles saying "free with rebate." Mom got one, I got the other, and God provided shampoo and conditioner absolutely free. (If you don't count the two stamps.)

Last week I lost my keys. House, car, mail, it was all on that one ring. I lost them on a day we'd run errands, so after looking around the house, I started calling businesses. No luck. Started praying. I was pretty confident that God would help me find them, as there's been about one lost item a week the girls and I have been praying for, and we've found them every time. Yesterday my neighbor came over and offered them to me. Are these yours? I was relieved--yet not surprised. God's been so faithful to answer prayer.

The last illustration's a little complicated, but I'll try to summarize. We were given a $20 gift card for JCPenney, and also a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $10 or more. So I had the opportunity to buy $30 worth of merchandise without having to pay anything out-of-pocket. Jacob and I had just discussed our summer budget and I was looking ahead and thinking of meeting some clothing needs so we wouldn't have to spend money elsewhere. But then I saw the sundress.

A lovely sundress. Bright, bold flowers on a white background, with a thick brown sash. Gorgeous. Only problem was, it was $29.99. There was no way I should be spending that much money, I thought, because I should be practical and buy things we need. And we didn't need a thirty-dollar sundress I would buy just to wear for Jacob. (Ah, it was a little immodest.)

But I really wanted it. And I really wanted a shirt I'd found for Sofia, too. Yellow with a "pup," as she would say, and it would make a perfect birthday present. (Did you notice it in her birthday pictures?) But I didn't have enough store credit for both, and I shouldn't be spending anything out-of-pocket anyway.

I went back and forth trying to decide what to do, and I still hadn't decided by the time I got to the register. In a rush I set the sundress and the shirt on the counter and asked, "Is this dress thirty dollars?" The clerk checked the price tag and agreed. Man. . .

I bought it anway. And the shirt for Sofia, too. But there seemed to be a problem ringing it up. Because when all was said and done, I ended up not paying anything out-of-pocket, and what's more, ended up with a $7 credit on my gift card. Could this be right?

I asked the clerk about it, describing how it couldn't be correct if the dress alone were $30, but she said it rang up correctly. And wished me a good day.

See? God provided for our needs. God provided for our birthday gift. God provided for a fun outfit to wear for my husband.

Often we're afraid to fully pursue God's plans for us, because we're afraid of the sacrifices He might ask us to make. And there will be sacrifices. But He's our Father. He loves us, and He loves blessing us, just like you love blessing your kids. All the time you are desiring to follow Him and putting forth your best effort, He's rejoicing in you and blessing you all around.

He's so good.