Only God

Photo by Jeremy Perkins on Unsplash

Have you ever been in dire need of something and cried out to God? It could be for financial reasons, your health, children, marriage or even daily needs. I have. There have been so many times that I have pleaded and begged God for help, more than I can count. I have to say, though, that God has been faithful. Each time, God has always provided for me and my needs, and He was always on time. Some things require more time, and He may not have answered exactly like how I wanted or expected, but He did answer (and in the end, His way was better than mine anyway)!

In life, there are things that only God can do. There are situations that only God can help with. There are problems that only God can solve. There are prayers that only God can answer.

Let me give you a prime example: In the beginning of July (of 2018), my family and I moved to California. You may have read some of this in my previous blog, My Big Move to California. When we arrived, our housing was not ready. The complex that we were going to move into misled us, and gave us inaccurate information. Our town-home was supposed to be ready the beginning of July, but upon our arrival, they said it wouldn't be ready until the beginning of August. That would be almost an entire month that we would have to wait! We had just driven across the U.S. in our moving truck and didn't have ""extra"" money to spend on storage and/or a hotel. I was furious and afraid! I had a whirlwind of emotions and what-if scenarios running through my mind! I was sure the move was God-led, but then worried that maybe we didn't hear correctly and have to turn back and go home. Panic set in, my anxiety was at an all time high, and I was falling apart! What would we do now? Where would we go? Should we have waited? Our plan wasn't going as we expected, and we were practically homeless.

My husband and I prayed so fervently those few days and had a specific list of prayers and expectations. We asked God for a home and reminded ourselves of all the ways before that God had helped us. We declared God's provision and faithfulness over our lives, though in that moment, we felt helpless. We would need a place and fast. So, we prayed for a good neighborhood, a good school system for the girls, to be close to the freeways and shopping, and within a budget that we could afford. We wanted something with at least 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths and within a day or two! I also wanted it to be less than a 15 minute commute to my school. My husband hadn't gotten a job yet either, so we were praying for that as well (I also called a three of my prayer warriors, and asked to them to intercede for us)!

To find a new place, we gathered little books and magazines of rental units, looked online at rental sites and Craigslist, looked at cork boards at local grocery stores, asked friends and family, and called listing agents. Nothing was available or move in ready. We had to return our moving truck by Thursday, or they would charge us $100/day! It was already Tuesday and the pressure was almost unbearable! To be honest, I wanted quick relief so I was hoping a friend or family member would know someone or have a connection. No one did. I was frantic and hoping for a miracle.

Finally, I had three appointments to view three properties I found on Craigslist (of which I was very skeptical of). The first place we went to had everything we wanted on our list, so we didn't even bother looking at the other two. The problem was that my husband didn't have a job, so they were concerned with how we would pay for rent. The criteria in CA is different than where we were from. We had to make three times the amount of rent. We had to pay first month's rent, last month's rent, and the security deposit. They didn't even give you a refrigerator in the unit, so we would have to get that ourselves.

On top of that, we would have to wait for our background check and application to go through. The odds did not feel like they were in our favor, so you can imagine how I felt. I did not want to be homeless. I did not want to be wrong about the move. I didn't want to turn truck around and drive (shamefully) back to the Midwest, or worse, having to sell all of our things and move into a homeless shelter.

The good news and relief finally came on Friday. After an agonizing three days, we were approved! She said our application was approved and that her mom trusted we could pay the rent (the house belonged to her mom). They were private and family-operated and really felt for our situation. That in itself was a blessing because I don't think any listing agency or rental unit would have let us move in without my husband having a local job. The home met all of our criteria! The timing, the location, the school district, all of it! Not long after, my husband got a job (which is only 7 minutes away)! God is so amazing, and He always outdoes Himself! We moved in on Friday and our rental truck was only one day late. We were prepared to pay the $100, but since we had gotten a flat along the way, they the late return was justified! (I talk about the flat in my blog My Big Move to California).

In this situation, we really had to rely on our faith and I have to admit, there were times when I didn't have faith. God didn't allow anyone (friends or family) to come to our aid. I realize now, why that was. This way, no one got the credit except God. If someone had helped us, we would be thanking them. Yes, you could credit the landlord, but the timing, organization, and opportunity was all done by God. Just think, God knew we would be moving (far in advance). He knew when the previous tenants would be moving out, and when we be arriving in CA. He knew where my husband would be working and which school I'd be going to--all of that! I believe and know that He especially prepared and arranged our events and provisions. God purposefully configured these things so that we would have a place to live.

The Bibles says God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28, NLT). Is this hard to believe? It can be when you're in the midst of your uncertainty and worry, but fret no more! Another verse that comforted me was Philippians 4:19 God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (For more, look up verses on God's provision and faithfulness.)

God is the one who makes a way, when there seems to be no way. Sometimes God allows people to help us, other times He doesn't. There are times where, for a moment, God closes all avenues and sources of aid, so we can go directly to Him. That way we will know, undeniably and without a doubt, that it was God's hand that saved us. Just like how God provided us a Savior, He will also continue to help us. Invite God to do the things that only God can do. He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). Think about this for a moment, He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32). Receive God and His help today.

Let us pray.

Faithful and loving Father,

Thank You so much for Your continual help and assistance. Thank You for providing for me and taking care of me. Thank You that I have a story to share, a testimony of your love and faithfulness. Lord, I also thank You for these readers and lift them all up to You now. I ask that this post will be a message of hope and encouragement for them. Show them that You care for them and also desire to help them. May they also know of Your love and faithfulness. Whatever they are praying for, hoping for, asking for, or pleading for, help them. Rescue them. Answer them according to Your will. Reveal Yourself and Your glory. You are the one true God, who makes a way when there is no way. You make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43: 19). There is nothing You cannot do. You are the source of our hope! Grow us and strengthen us. May we rely on You and stand firm on our faith. May we find our security and provision in You. Thank you in advance for answering our prayers. The praise, power, glory, and honor are Yours! In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam