A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

 

  

 

 

 

 

A homeless man's pack and few clothes, scattered on a lonely park bench
The Son of Man had nowhere
to lay His head. He understands.
He will provide.

 

 
God meets our needs

Volume XVI, Issue 8 

February 22, 2016 
God meets our needs...by Terry L. Coleridge
 
We've really had to tighten up our "purse strings" lately when trying to keep up with our bills.  My husband and I both work full time jobs but it's still a challenge. With the rising cost of living and caring for mother's health needs, it's been tough.
 
One morning my husband told me that he had just saved us from having the power shut off by paying a third of the bill. This happened with the phone bill, too. We are doing all we can to keep afloat, but it's near impossible in reality.
 
I've prayed multiple times for our Lord's intervention with all these burdens. My husband frequently reminds me that God is in control.

Headlines of financial hardships
Yesterday's news put our dilemma into perspective. My husband emailed me an article from our local news station which he entitled, "We're not alone."
 
They reported that nearly half of County households are having a hard time finding the money for just basic needs. A new United Way report says close to 20% of local households are below the poverty line and almost 25% of those above the poverty line still struggle to buy necessities.
 
Robert and I are in that group above the poverty line. We may not be alone...but that doesn't make it any easier.
 
Recently I was invited to a birthday party for a client I've worked with since the beginning of my career as a caregiver. The party was held at a restaurant but I didn't have enough funds for lunch. So I decided to trust God for the outcome.
 
When I got there everyone else had already ordered. I chose the cheapest thing on the menu, which was actually a side, cheese toast and a soda.
 
Colorful balloons While assisting another worker blowing up the balloons, I noticed a little one-year-old boy with his family. He was staring at me, or probably more likely at the balloons. I approached his parents and asked if he could have one and they enthusiastically said, "Yes." The young boy's face lit up with a big grin as he got the balloon.
 
Three quarters through the birthday lunch, another care worker informed me that our waitress said a family sitting close by our table had paid for all our lunches. It was over $100! Even when I told our client that she got this blessing as one of her birthday gifts, I felt blessed and loved by God, as well.
 
God took care of my lunch and I remembered a verse in "The Lord's Prayer" which reminds us to look to God for our daily bread, Matthew 6:11. I was at the verge of tears running down my face.
 
Jesus showed His love when He fed the multitude. (read Matthew 14:13-21) God showed His love in caring for me and others. We can trust Him to meet our basic needs, which includes our salvation through His Son Jesus.
Yes, God meets our needs. And the beauty of it? He is only a prayer away.

Terry

Terry L. Coleridge is a Nurse Assistant/Facilitator and has cared for individuals with Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Epilepsy, Bipolar Disorder, Autism, and various behavioral disorders. Terry and her husband, Robert, live in Washington State, USA.
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