We moved to Philadelphia right out of Bible college. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, we expected to move to Philly, interview for the first youth pastor position we applied for and the rest would be history.
Unfortunately, weeks went by with no job. Had it not been for loving relatives who shared food with us, I don’t know how we would have survived. At one point, we didn’t have the funds to pay our rent. We told no one. Day after day went by with no prospects of work or rent funds.
Then the doorbell rang. It was a Western Union telegram (no, not the app) from a Bible study group in Miami and the memo read, “Pay the Rent!” and was signed “The God Squad.” No one in that group knew we couldn’t pay the rent nor how much our rent was but the wire transfer was for the exact amount of the rent!
As an aside that will become relevant in a minute, my brother and I grew up accustomed to meeting friends of my parents we had never known or even heard about. No matter where we went, someone or someones always knew my parents. It was almost a ho-hum experience.
Back to the story…time continued to drag on with no prospects. Knowing how discouraged we were, my Mom flew to Philly to be with me on my birthday. She hadn’t been to Philly in over 20 years. And yet, here we were in Philadelphia, at 30th Street Station, running for a commuter train. “Doris? Doris Paynter?, is that you?”
Oh come on! How could Mom *possibly* know someone in that crowded terminal. But she did!
After several minutes of catching up, Mom’s friend asked what we were doing in Philly. When Mom explained that we were looking for a youth pastor’s position, she lit up. “Our church is looking for a youth pastor right now!”
The rest is history…
These two miraculous answers to prayer, situations that were unspoken to anyone else, set the tone early on in our marriage, showing us that it was always safe to trust the Lord.
We quickly learned that “my God shall supply all your needs (not necessarily our wants) according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:19
Over the years, it has become increasingly easier for us to understand that “your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matt. 6:8
And yet, all these years later I occasionally find myself stressing over a looming unpaid bill. Thankfully our gracious Father knows we are frail human beings and continues to supply our needs. I’m so grateful for that!
During those seasons, I can totally identify with this song. Can you?
My Dad described this way of life perfectly. “God’s hand to our mouths.”
YES!
You always know the right song for the occasion. Isn’t it beautiful the way God speaks to us through music?
Beautiful stories that are as powerful today as they were when they first happened. His promises stand eternal if only we would believe.
It is wonderful to see God answer prayer in our time of need. It doesn’t always happen on our time schedule, but always just in time!