Do you trust?

Do you ever wonder, "Do I really trust the Lord?" When push comes to shove, do I trust Him with all I have...everything? If all was stripped away and you were left with nothing but Him, would you still trust?

I grew up in a home in which money was tight. You see, my dad was a Christian school principal and in case you don't know...they don't get paid a lot. It's a passion...a ministry....sacrifice. I never remember feeling poor and even though my parents will tell you that at times they prayed for the next meal, I never even remember the lack thereof.

I do remember times though of amazing provision from the Lord. Times in which we needed the Lord to provide some food for us and food would appear on our door step or money would be provided. The year in elementary school in which my parents prayed for money for school supplies and another teacher gave each of us money for supplies...not knowing that she was our answer to prayer. The months in which a local bakery had lots of leftovers and happen to just give to us...and at the point in which we were doing well, the local bakery stopped having leftovers. Mostly, the faith, prayer, dependence on the Lord, and love taught to us by these amazing people I am honored to call my parents. Times were tough and times are still sometimes tough. A giving of self in obedience to a Higher calling that I know one day awaits for them many jewels on that crown. There was never a word from them of doubt in the provisions of God....never a harsh word I heard in frustration towards the Lord (although I'm sure there might have been some in private)...ALWAYS a knowing and teaching that God will provide...trust.

Many of us don't know what this kind of life looks like....the financial blessings are rich in our lives. I admit as an adult I've not faced this lack of knowing where the next meal might come. But, I ask myself...the richness of the Lord in full evidence. Is it worth the sacrifice? Is it worth the obedience? Is it worth the pain? I know deep in my heart that the answer is a resounding, yes! For through the fire, we are refined...molded into who He is and stripped of all that is us.

I know the end of the Book...things aren't going to get easier....are you ready to trust in ways you've never known? To have that undying faith to know that no matter what, God will provide? Our family is personally facing a moment in which we are following a path of obedience and having to trust in Him...in His timing, in His perfect plan for us. I'm excited to share of the provisions He provides and the Glory all due His name....

And to think, it was because of those amazing people I am honored to call my parents....where would I be without them and the example they laid before me. For I'm sure they would not have preferred to have life that much of a struggle, but what they don't realize is the amazing depth of God's provision I saw and their modeling to me the unmeasurable trust and faith in God....for He's truly good all the time. Good and bad times...He's faithful. That's what they taught me.