Thank You God for all thy benefits!
So often we are or will be faced with disappointment when our expectations are not met. They are opportunities! Opportunity for growth, surrender, trust… and sometimes an opportunity to bless or be blessed through God moving others to help you in your disappointment.
Several years ago, my oldest two signed up to go to DC for the March for Life through a Houston area pro-life group. They signed up months prior to the event and at the same time. They attended all that was required, and during one of the last fundraisers, the list of possible attendees was shown. My daughter was nowhere on the list – just my son. There was no way to rectify the mistake without ruining others’ chances to attend. So with disappointment, we prayed for a miracle. I reached out to people to pray. I offered my daughter all I could – prayer. I reminded her that God works miracles every day. I also prepared her for the possibility that perhaps it was just not her time to go.
Two days before the group was leaving, I received a call from a sweet lady in our lives who had been so moved that she made a few phone calls and collected donations to purchase an airline ticket for my daughter to fly to DC with the group! She also arranged for her friend to fly to DC and accompany my daughter and her son back on a different flight because the return flight that the group was taking was booked. Once we were told this, and once I picked myself up from being totally overwhelmed, yet again, by God, the group confirmed that she could stay with them at the hotel and even paid for her meals. God moved so many hearts to make this happen. People I do not know (or maybe I do and they chose to remain anonymous) were prompted to donate over $600 to bless my daughter! The group was moved to allow her to be part of the original plan after her airfare was donated!
It is not the first time God has overwhelmed us with such apparent blessings. It is very humbling and always so unexpected, and always so last minute it seems. A wise prayerful woman in my life once said, “He’s a last minute God.” Boy, was she right!
The story does not end here. When my daughter returned from her trip, she was invited to attend a Lifeteen leadership conference where participants were charged over $950. She was told she would not have to pay – wait, what? Yes, I heard that right – she was blessed yet again!
The opportunities abound! Many had the opportunity to bless; my daughter was given the opportunity to face disappointment while praying with expectant faith, trust, and surrender to God’s Will. She was given the opportunity to grow in faith that God is in control, and we were given an opportunity to receive blessings, which was both humbling and overwhelming.
Giving praise and thanks in these types of situations is easy. I pray for the grace to remember this the next time it is not so easy to praise and thank Him – especially for the blessing of the cross in our lives for the honor of sharing in His suffering and uniting our blessings to His.
I challenge you to share (it does not have to be publicly) how God is working in your life. Everyone needs to KNOW how much He loves and provides for us. Everyone needs to know that miracles still happen. How will they know if we do not tell them? Share your story – for God’s Glory!
