As our family grew many years ago, we contemplated adding onto our house. This meant borrowing money, but my father denied lending us the money. We went ahead, anyway. After all, my husband’s teaching job had security, we reasoned. The construction was going great, and we were pleased with our carpenter-friend’s workmanship.
Then we got the first bill — four times as much as we were expecting! My husband, Terry, told the carpenter we couldn’t continue with the construction. Our friend packed up his tools, and the project was put on hold. Month by month, a great chunk of our monthly income was used to pay off the bill. Thus began a time of tightening our belts, and living more frugally. No more careless spending. No more going out to eat, just because I didn’t feel like cooking. Not even any bought cookies or other random treats. I became skilled in resourcefulness: baking my own bread, making my own yogourt, growing my own sprouts, and making delicious soups from leftovers. All possible as I was a stay-home mum, before I taught full time.
Our focus began to shift when we put our trust, not in our income, but in God. We began tithing, knowing it was a biblically sound practice. That was a painful, but necessary step in the midst of our hardship. God did not abandon us. Our three boys, seven, four, and two were satisfied with what they had. They still had toys. Their riding toys were made operational again with someone else’s cast-off wheels. They had friends.
I was grateful for two babysitting jobs that just fell into my lap. Usually we solved our sitter needs by trading children, but in these situations the single mothers were subsidized for childcare. One little boy, around the same age as our middle child, fitted seamlessly into our day. Caleb would come in the late afternoon, and have supper with us, forcing me to stay organized. Caleb went to sleep along with the two younger boys. After her evening shift at the local Mexican restaurant, Caleb’s mum picked him up, sleeping bag and all, laid him in the car, and took him home.
Hebrews 13:5,6a,8: “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear.’ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (NLT)
Eventually our bill was paid off, the house renovations completed. The Lord did not fail us.
God never changes. He accompanies us through good times, as well as through difficult times. God’s methods of looking after His people may change, but God does not.
During this Thanksgiving season in Canada, let us remember this awesome truth, with gratitude.
Thank You, Lord, that You do not change. Help us to be grateful for what we have. Thank You that we can put our trust in Your care and that You will help us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
