Monday, August 31, 2009

11:59.59

It's 11:58 and the need must be met.

Down on our knees we pray.

No pleading, no begging, no whining.

Just pure and simple childlike faith knowing God is faithful.

It's 11:59 with just seconds to spare - the answer.


"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19


Do you ever feel that is the story of your life? You have a need that must be met and God waits until the very last second to show up with the answer? I have felt that way many times in my life.

We have just experienced it again.

A few years ago our youngest son applied for disability, something we could have done when he was very young but we waited until he was 21. The process took 18 months. In those days you did receive retro pay but only small amounts every 6 months and one final payment at 1 year. We were very frustrated because we thought we needed the money. But wait was the order of the process.

Fast forward to January 2009 when my husband lost his job and applied for disability due to his kidney transplant and other health issues. There is no way we could make it 18 months for disability and certainly could not continue to support our lives on my income alone.

I bet you can guess what payment came to our checking account 3 weeks later - yes - Matthew's disability payment, 70% of which legally goes to rent and living expenses. It seemed it was the last hour and God came through. He met the need.

However, it doesn't last forever, and even though I took on two more part time jobs and worked as many hours as I possibly could, there still is just not enough to meet our daily needs. (You may be thinking that we live high on the hog but NO. We just have a LOT of medical bills due to the high cost of transplant medications and ongoing open wounds on my husbands legs.)

Continuing in prayer and trusting in God's faithfulness, we waited.

It's 11:59.59 - we need God to intervene - and of course He does.

My husbands disability was approved in 6 months - no retro pay - BUT the first monthly payment arrived on Wednesday - 3 days after I paid bills and depleted our 'surplus'.

Once again our faith was tested and challenged but once again we trusted and God came through. Faith grows in the midst of adversity and we are so thankful it does.

God does not always have us wait until the last possible moment to met a need. Sometimes he meets the need before we even know we have it. There are just times and circumstances when He desires for us to learn, trust, grow and depend on Him more.

Everything seems to go back to my life scripture:


"Consider it all joy, my friends, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4


Mature and complete is exactly where God is taking us. We are not there yet, but on our way.

What about you? Does God make you wait at times until the very last second for an answer to your prayers? Maybe he is just allowing you to grow in faith!

Considering 11:59.59 with Joy,
Cindy

9 comments:

  1. Love the title of the post and how it signifies the last second of the last minute. Beautiful!

    I kept thinking of the old saying: God is never a minute early nor a second late. He times everything perfect and according to His plan. Think about it, if it didn't keep us hangin' (for lack of better phrase) on who would we depend and give praise to? Ourselves. It's in those last minutes, moments, we rely even heavier on Him, knowing we can't do this without Him. And then, when He does fulfill our needs, we turn in praise to Him.

    Oh, I find it no quinky-dink (coincidence) that I literally posted my post minutes ago and I quoted part of James 1:2.

    Praising Him with you,
    Paula

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  2. Praising God that I came to visit you...in His perfect timing...and was blessed to read this amazing post..as it speaks to my heart words of confirmation...that our God is faithful...trust and obey for there is NO other way!

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  3. I could totally relate to your post!!! that has been the story of our lives for the past year!!! it is amazing to see how God works...and I wonder will I ever learn the lesson and get an early answer *wink*

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  4. Playing the waiting game for writing submissions is teaching me to keep writing while I wait...I can't just sit around waiting to get that letter or phone call...I need to keep sharpening my skills.

    So glad the money has started coming in! Love you!

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  5. Thinking of the song, "Four days late"...and He's still on time!
    I'm so thankful we serve the Risen Savior who will supply our needs!

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  6. We have experienced that God's provision like that so many times. We've come to the understanding that we will never have an abundance of money in savings but God will provide and he always does.

    I love the way you shared this...happy for you friend and for trusting God in these unsure times. I know the feeling. Connie

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  7. Oh girl - for certain. Our God is never too early, nor is He too late. His timing is exact for such the time we are going through. However, I think at times He's a little late. haha Thanks for sharing. love ya!

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  8. This is a good reminder for all of us. I'm still praying for your family...

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Hi Friend, I read and cherish every single comment you leave! You bring Joy to my heart! Blessings, Cindy