My story of how God provided...

During my years of marriage to Marc Thomson, we had many financial struggles, especially when I was pregnant with my daughter. At the time, we were renting a single wide trailer in Honea Path. It was not the nicest trailer, really it was probably the worst place we ever lived in during our marriage. I was not working; Marc was working temporary jobs through a job agency. My car was not running, and we were borrowing a really old and tattered looking truck from his dad. But during that time God showed up in many ways to provide and taught me some lessons about trusting Him. First, He let me get a taste of discrimination (socioeconomic discrimination). Our bank at the time was in a small shopping center in Greenwood and beside it was a fitness center. One day we went to the bank, but Marc parked the truck in front of the fitness center. Now, I don't know if Marc typically did this or if he just did it that day because the shopping center parking lot was full. Either way, he went to the bank and, while he was gone, the owner of the fitness center came to the truck screaming that I had to move the truck and could not park in front of her fitness center. 1. I did not have the keys to move it. 2. I was about 7 months pregnant, and it was a stick shift. 3. Marc was not going to be in the bank very long. She continued to scream outside the window even after I told her I did not have the keys to move the truck. She threatened to call the police, and I said go ahead. I figured, if she did, we would probably not be there anyway and besides was it really illegal to park there? I was frustrated and angry at the lady because I felt that she just did not want an old truck parked in front of her business. Looking back now, maybe lots of people had been parking in her parking lot and going to the back or other business in the shopping center next to door, and maybe she was frustrated about that instead of just about me and the truck. Whichever reason she had for the situation, at the time I felt discriminated against because we looked poor or redneck in our dilapidated truck. What she did not know is that we were terribly poor! Our nicer car was not running, and we did not have the money to fix it. From that day on, I thought more of how I reacted to situations (not that I always act correctly even now!),

Lesson 1:  Be more understanding of others who may have struggles I cannot see at first glance.

Also during that summer before my daughter was born, I prayed for toilet paper. I know that may sound silly or crazy, but when you are dirt poor, you pray for the necessities. Well, I did not get any toilet paper at that time as far as God providing it through someone else. But years later, when Marc was struggling with a health issue (not during his cancer battle), our church at the time gave us a case of toilet paper. So, God still answered that prayer just not in my timing, and therefore, He showed me that He heard my prayer and provided what was needed in the proper time (sounds like a Bishop Smith sermon recently!). 

Lesson 2: Ask and it will be given to you! 
Lesson 3: My time is not God's time, and He will answer in the proper time.

Another God thing that happened is that Marc needed underwear. Well, he prayed for it, and I had no idea. I did not know he needed underwear either. One day, I visited with a very close friend of mine, who helped with foster children. Walmart donated underwear and socks to her to give to foster children. They gave her all sizes because of the teens wore adult sizes. When I was visiting, she happened to be going through the donated brand-new underwear and socks. She had too many adult sizes, so she gave me 7 pairs of underwear for Marc, 7 pairs of underwear for me, and 7 pairs of socks for each of us. When I brought them home, Marc was excited! He said, "God answered my prayer about needing underwear!" I was surprised (as he had not told me about his prayer previously). We thanked God for providing what was needed and more! 

Lesson 4: God cares about what you need, and He will provide abundantly!

Lastly, is the Peanut Butter and Jelly Story, or at least that's what I like to call it when I tell it to others! One day, again during this summer of struggling, we went to Bi-Lo to buy groceries. After buying all the things we had to buy, we could either buy peanut butter or jelly, but not both! We opted for the peanut butter. Back in the day, Bi-Lo's receipt would have coupons printed on the back. Well, after we checked out, I looked at the back of the receipt and guess what, there was a coupon for a free jar of jelly! Yes, free, we only had to pay the few cents tax on it! Again, God was saying trust me! 

Lesson 5: God cares about the little things even a jar of jelly. He knows what we need, and we can trust Him to provide it or show us what to do to get it. 

Lesson 6: God does not always just give us what we need or want, sometimes He shows us a way to earn money to buy it or He teaches us how to live without it (be content with what you have). 

Lesson 7: Give your tithe and trust for the other 90%. He is faithful! 

I don't know what you are struggling with today and asking God for or praying for, but I do know this God can be trusted. He can provide all your needs. He may show you where to find what you need. Or He may say be content with what you have. No matter what, trust God! 

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10 KJV