The university bursar knew me well. I slipped in through her doorway to deliver my daily deposit of bundled dollar bills and loose change…tip money from last evening’s waitress earnings. Today’s contribution? $37.00. She quietly recounted and mustered an affirmative, “Thank you, Patty. I’ll add it to your account.” It fell grossly short of the thousands needed to continue my education. Like a desperate diver in need of air, I bolted from her office, racing to the empty prayer chapel just above the girl’s dorm before worry choked the last breath of hope from my soul.
With my Bible laid out in front of me, quiet tears somehow formed themselves into unspoken prayers. Then God’s tender words lifted off the page and breathed hope into my soul: “You know the hopes of the helpless. You hear their cries and rescue them.” Psalm 10:17 “Don’t be afraid, [go ahead, add your name] for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Trips to the bursar continued… trips to the prayer tower followed. Air. A breath of hope. My soul would fill. Day after day…
Then one day…
A simple old farmer arrived on our campus, carrying a donation of fresh Washington apples in the back of a flatbed trailer.
Apples were not the only thing he intended to deliver. He found his way to the same doorway I had stepped through day after day, asking the bursar if she knew of any students who were facing financial difficulties while in pursuit of their ministry degree. On that ordinary day… the cashier mentioned MY NAME…shared my story…told of my many trips to her office with bundles of singles in tow.
And on that same ordinary day, we sat together, the farmer and I, as comfortable as two old friends. I shared my dreams…He smiled. I described the mountain before me…eyes watered.
Then… the Extra-Ordinary eclipsed my ordinary world. The farmer announced, “Honey, I’m aware of your need. Continue working hard on your studies. Continue working hard at your job. Continue to do all you can do to earn that degree. But I will pay your unmet balance. I will watch your account each semester and I will continue to pay any unmet balances on your ongoing tuition.”
WHEN WORRY CHOKES….
Friend, notice I said, “When” it chokes, not “if” it chokes. Worry ALWAYS chokes! Dreams, hope, trust, confidence in God. On the contrary, Jesus sooths with these words: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, yet not one of them falls to the ground without Your Father’s notice. YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE VALUABLE to Him than they are!
Not only is God attentive to your needs, He listens attentively to the volumes spoken in every tear: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You record each one in your book. (Psalm 56:8) Did you know He is keeping a journal of every tear that falls? Did you know He collects each one? Your life… Your need… Your situation… YOU.Matter.Deeply. to God.
When worry chokes…Run to him. Lay your deepest needs before Him. Anticipate his vast and creative supply to meet your needs. Who knows, He might even arrive carrying a simple load of apples.
Beauty Awaits,
Patty
Anchor of Hope: He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:2b,3
(Photograph by Jack Moskovita, http://1-4u-computer-graphics.com/BIRDS.htm)