Jesus said, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Jesus was talking about his disciples giving Him praise when others tried to quiet them. That is what I am here to do today, lest the rocks do it for me.
A couple months ago I shared about how we were in limbo with my girls and whether or not we could afford for them to return to their private schools. I wanted to share with you the amazing way that God showed up.
Now, I know that talking about personal finances seems a little TMI. But, in this case, I can’t keep it to myself. I cannot miss the opportunity to praise God for what He has done for us.
Once we finally sat down and looked at the numbers we were pleased to see that we could definitely get Hailey back to Berean to finish out her senior year! Yes!! That was our priority and we would do whatever it took to make that happen.
The bad news was that there was no way that we could also send Charlotte back to the San Ramon Valley Christian Academy (SRVCA).
So, I enrolled her at our local public school. A great school. My big kids went there for one year. Our local schools are the reason why most people move into our neighborhood. We took a tour of the school. We had a pool playdate with 3 kids from the incoming 2nd grade class. Charlotte was brave and mature about the process. She came to embrace the idea of having to leave her friends and the school where her brother and sister graduated from. She was ready to make new friends and try something new. I am so proud of her.
Almost two weeks ago we met up with more of the incoming second grade families at a park. Charlotte knew no one. Yet, she met some kids and played. When asked why we were making the change of schools, it was the first time I answered, “We ARE transferring for financial reasons.” Up to this point I was saying, “We are LEANING in the direction of transferring.” That was on a Tuesday.
We’ve been attending our church since Hailey was one year old. Creekside is a second home to us; many people there are like family to us. On Thursday I got an email from a leader and friend from church. He wrote to tell me that anonymous donors had given to a fund to make it possible for Charlotte to return to SRVCA. Ummm…..WHAT!!??
Unbelievable.
Shock. Confusion. Amazement. Disbelief. Praise. Surreal.
He wrote that regardless of what we chose to do, “You should just feel loved… because that is what this is about.”
Just when we had taken the step to fully enter into a new phase of life, we were given the choice. There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” I truly believe that right when we chose contentedness, to enter into an alternative plan, God showed up for us to see Him.
I’ve had friends ask me during the last several months, “What is keeping you from making a decision? What are you waiting for?” To which I replied, “I want God to make it SO clear to me what He wants us to do. If He says, ‘Go to your public school, I want you there,’ then I’m there in a second, no questions asked. But I don’t want to go just because of circumstances.” It seemed that we were going to be attending our local school based on circumstances after all, and I was embracing that reality.
And then…God shows up, BIG time and answers me CLEARLY. I mean seriously, who gives so generously, so sacrificially, on their own? God clearly spoke to these anonymous individuals and they responded. God used them to bless us and to make His will clear to us.
I’m beyond overwhelmed, beyond thankful. Since the individuals preferred to be kept anonymous, I have to hope that they know that we are overwhelmed by their act of love. In fact, if you are one of them and you are reading this now, please know that….We are in disbelief. We are grateful. We feel loved.
There is a part of us that feels weird about taking this gift. We didn’t ask for help, we are not living on the streets or without an income. We have much. But that’s not what this is about. This is about God wanting to partner with people to accomplish His will and His blessings here on Earth. Who are we to say “no” to His gifts?
So, to all of you who have reached out to me since I posted about our “applesauce tasting” and told me that you have been praying for us…THANK YOU! I wanted to circle back and let you know that God is very much still at work. He heard our prayers and He answered. Thank you, to our Mighty, Generous and Loving God.
