So I thumbed back through some old stuff, and discovered this previous post from one of my old journals. Interestingly, it also coincides with Easter. I offer it to you again today as my Random Journal offering for this month. (Originally Posted 8/3/10, but written many years previously)
I Peter 5:5 "....Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"
Proverbs 16:19 “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Back in the early days of our ministry it seemed that our finances were always a bit tight. I won’t say that we were ever destitute, for God would not allow that to happen. But we always had to watch our spending very closely. However, the pastor’s wife is often called upon to perform certain duties and to attend functions where she needs to look her very best. I have always bristled at the thought that a minister’s wife shouldn’t have stylish clothes or nice things. I’ve seen too many pastors’ wives having to make do with other people’s hand-me-downs or homemade outfits that looked homemade. And then when they do buy something really nice, they are criticized for not being very frugal, and putting on "airs"...
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| "The Dress" Funny...Today it would probably be considered very stylish! |
Not long after this occasion, a couple from out of state was passing through our town and came to visit at our little church. They were friendly, but did not hang around very long after the service. That week I received in the mail a gift of $25.00 cash (a lot of money to me at that time!) with a note attached saying that I was to use that money to purchase a new outfit for myself and not to use it for my children or any other purpose! By the names signed on the note, I knew it was from the couple that had passed through earlier in the week, but there was no address or any way of contacting them to thank them. Even as I write this now many years later, I can only say thank you to the Lord, and pray that He will bless those dear people for their generosity and encouragement shown to me that day! And yet, I am reminded to also thank the Lord for the ones who gave what they could, even if it wasn’t something brand new, but yet it was given with just as much love and thoughtfulness.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
How about you? What are some of the lessons in humility you've learned throughout the years?
And, what are some of the ways God has supplied all of your need during times of leanness...which may be right now for some of us...? Sometimes we just need to stop and think about it...and then remember to say, "Thank you, Lord!"
How good of that couple to surprise you with their gift, and also the relative who gave you the thrift story flowery dress.
ReplyDeleteI've been blessed in so many ways throughout the years...often from sources I never expected and sometimes never even knew. That way God gets all the glory, for it all came from Him. Thank you for stopping by today. Blessings to you and yours.
DeletePamela - loved your lesson in humility! We all need to find that lesson...what I share is how God supplied "enough" food for a meal - cooking for myself, my husband and 3 children is hard enough; but my "former in-laws" wanted to stop by to see their grandchildren...as we still remained in contact and were still getting along, of course I said YES! BUT...what I had planned for dinner was...well, just enough for us!! And not much groceries in the house (or finances to go buy more!)...so, I scrambled around and found I had a couple extra cans of veggies; rice to include along with potatoes or some other starch; and I cut the meat (calf's liver - still surprised my kids actually ate it!!!!) into small but adequate enough pieces for everybody to have a piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks to God and his provisions of "ENOUGH" - we had plenty; in fact, we had LEFTOVERS!!
Oh, yes, I love those moments when God shows us how He can turn five loaves and two fishes into enough to feed 5000 people! Even if it is the unexpected visit from the inlaws...so wonderful for God to help you spread the food a little farther...and no one was the wiser! So thankful for those moments in my life as well. Thank you for sharing yours!
DeleteIt is so easy to think that God will not provide, and often it isn't always in the way we would desire. One thing is true, He always comes through.
ReplyDeleteAll the way it is good to know that if God will provide He will do it in the way that suits Him, and not us.
ReplyDeletePamela, I love when you share your ministry lessons. I must have a lot of "airs" because God often has me in His Humility Training 101. Just when I think I've got pride nipped in the bud...BAM it's already revealing itself. Lol. Thanks for being faithful here and so encouraging. You are a blessing to me and all of our little RJD community.
ReplyDeletePam: I was humbled as our son and I were at Dollar General down the street from where he moved to just last week. I had given the cashier money for what I was purchasing for his new apartment. She thought and then spoke. She had to count her drawer because she thought I had given her too much money. This process took a bit of time but she was right. I had given her $10.00 too much. I felt humbled because she chose to do the right thing. I probably would not have known.
ReplyDelete