Our Emmanuel

This week we had "Giving Tuesday."  I'm not sure how it got that designation, or who thought up the idea.  But I like it!  Maybe after Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping someone thought it would be nice to do some giving.  :)

I've always loved to give.  My mother told me I've always been like that.  I would go through my cupboards and give away toys, hair accessories, simple jewelry and clothes.  I so enjoyed giving to my nieces and my neighborhood friends.  I admire my mother's ability to let me do that......but she herself was such an example of giving.  She gave through her food, and in spite of her limited budget, she always had something to put in the offering plate at church.  She was an incredible giver!

When Floyd and I got married, we had to talk a lot about this because, of course, I wanted to keep giving.  We didn't have much money to give, but I still wanted to give from my "things" that I had.  I so admire Floyd.....instead of fighting me on my desire to give, he decided to join me.  That began a lifetime of giving for us.  We didn't have much, but we always gave.

Two memories come to mind.  When we were newly married, we were at a staff gathering and an offering was taken to send one of our workers to Pakistan.  The Lord spoke clearly to both of us to empty our pockets and wallets and give "everything" we had.  That everything wasn't much - I'd be surprised if it was even $25.....but we did it.  It was a wonderful journey of faith to see how God, in turn, met our needs in the days ahead.

Another time we were traveling and speaking in churches.  We had spoken at a church in Ohio.  During the service, an offering was taken for a missionary.  Again we felt prompted to give our all, little though it was.  After church we went and sat in our car - a YWAM vehicle that we were using for our travels.  The petrol tank was almost empty.  We had no where to stay that night, and we hadn't eaten dinner.  So - we sat in the car and prayed.  We decided with some creative maneuvering we could sleep in the car.  

As we were starting to get things arranged, a car drove up to the driver's window.  A man introduced himself.  He had been at the service that night, and was touched by the sermon Floyd gave.  He was at home, readying himself for bed, when the Lord spoke to him to go back to the church and find us and give us a gift.  He was sure we would be gone, but he obeyed - and gave us $100.  That was a fortune to us!!  We got something to eat, put petrol in the car, and found an inexpensive motel to stay for the night.  And there was some left over to help us as we went to the next place we were speaking.

I have so many of these testimonies tucked away in my heart - some special ones from even before I married Floyd.  These testimonies have created a foundation of trust in my heart.  They showed me that I can give as the Lord leads, and He will always take care of me/us.  He took care of us and the houseful of hippies in Afghanistan when we often didn't have money for the next meal to feed everyone.  God has been a wonderful provider.....and He loves to give too!!

I can't think about the Lord without thinking of His love and generosity.  Through these last years when things were so hard, the Lord gave to me continually.  He gave love, comfort, strength, grace, courage, protection, healing, wisdom, and so much more.  He provided for our needs over and over again.  I can hear in my mind my mother saying so many times - "you can't out-give the Lord."  There is not a truer statement.

As I thought about giving Tuesday this week I feel so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to be a giver - regardless of what I had.  Usually it wasn't much, but I loved giving.  It's truly one of my favorite things in life. 

"Freely you have received; freely give."  Matthew 10:8 

"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."  Proverbs 11:25

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give - for God loves a cheerful giver."  2 Corinthians 9:7

"Give, and it will be given to  you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Luke 6:38

I can hardly believe that the year is almost over.  It seemed to fly by - quicker than normal.  It was a year of contrasts.  Joy and sorrow.  Trials and triumphs.  Healing and sickness.  Smiles and tears.  Peace and nervousness.  Abundance and need.  It reminded me of the book of Ecclesiastes - a time for everything.

The month ahead is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus.  I love this month!  I'm so grateful He came, and I rejoice in the fact that He is our Emmanuel - God with us.  I wouldn't survive a minute without Him being with me.

When I am going through a rough time, my favorite thing to do is to take a few minutes and speak out what Jesus is to me.  He is my Refuge.  My Rock.  My Fortress.  My strong Tower that I run to.  My Strength.  My Healer.  My Provider.  My Comfort.  My Encourager.  My Companion.  My sufficient Grace.  My Joy.  My Protector.  My Hope. My Counselor.  My Courage.  I could go on and on.  He is my Everything!

When I take time to speak out all that Emmanuel is to me, it puts things in perspective.  It balances things out.  When I don't do that, I can easily get overwhelmed with the problems and forget that Emmanuel is with me.

I'm so grateful for His help and presence - day and night, 24/7, in whatever weather we're having, during times of load shedding.  I can call on Him with whatever need I have.  It is such a comfort to know He's with me.  I'm not alone.

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar."  Psalm 139:1,2

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."  Psalm 103:13,14

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.  My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning."  Psalm 130:5,6

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."  Psalm 28:7

"When I am afraid,  I will trust in you."  Psalm 56:3

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

God never promised to keep us from all of life's storms and problems.  BUT He has promised to go with us through them.  So grateful that He is WITH us and helps us when we call on Him!

He is a wonderful, giving God!