It Was I

I’m sure that most of you are or were feeling like I was about starting a new year. With a new president and high hopes for tomorrow we believed that 2009 was the start of a brighter day. I know that it wasn’t going to happen overnight; I’m smart enough to know that things wouldn’t turn around that fast, but a new year brings new expectations – expectations that things will be better than before….hmmm.
As I sorted through the bills that seem to come more regularly I wondered how I often end up with more bills at the end of the month than money. As I look at the envelope I found myself asking a bill, “Didn’t I just pay you?” I couldn’t believe it when the bill spoke back, “yup.” What am I doing wrong? “God, why has thou forsaken me?” I asked. I could remember the days when I used to make ends meet; now it seems that they just get close enough to wave at each other. I scan through my checkbook wondering if I splurged unnecessarily – sure there’s a couple of trips to Walmart where I could have stuck to picking up the things that were on my list, could that be it? As I listened to the stories around me, stories from family, friends, and strangers that were dealing with their own economic downfall I wondered how long would it be before life got better? “Ummm God, can you hear us down here?” It was then that He showed me the big picture. Life is not only hard for those of us that are barely making ends meet, but life is becoming harder for those that watched the poor get poorer – the stock market crashed, gas prices skyrocketed, investments gone, banks closings, bailouts, the economy in a downward spiral – we are all one people now. “But hey Big Fella, I’m already a believer, You don’t have to put me in the category of those that don’t know how struggling feels.” “Ummm, God??? I could really use some help down here.” It was then that the still small voice spoke clearly, “What have you done for Me lately?” He said, “Tell your family, friends, and strangers that they spend so much time talking, texting, and emailing other people about their problems but very few kneel down and tell Me.” God said throughout all your problems I was here, I never left you even thou most days you turned your back to me – yeah those were the days when you were too busy? Remember when you didn’t pray or seek My counsel but just moved on your own, well guess who was there when it blew up in your face? God said all you had to do was just ask; just look to the hills from whence cometh your help, your help comes from the Lord; just ask. God said tell everybody that it was I that was here with open arms when you came back; I didn’t turn my back to you. Didn’t I tell you that I would never leave you nor forsake you, but did you trust Me? He said, My child, it was I that miraculous put money in your pocket to pay $90 a week to gas up your truck. It was I that filled your tank like I filled the widower’s jars with oil. He said tell everybody that I put food on their table and fed them when they didn’t have enough food in their fridge to make a meal. Didn’t I tell you that I would set a table before you? It was I that heard them cry at night; I wiped their tears and made a way out of no way. God said I made ends meet for you; I opened up the windows of heaven when your friend needed to pay college tuition for two children in the same week and it was I that was there when they needed more money than expected. Me, Jehovah Jireh. I provided for your other friend when she needed a new transmission; only I can take a car broken on Saturday and have it ready on Monday. I provided for your husband when his truck broke down on the expressway; only I can have a truck fixed in the parking lot of a closed automotive shop on Sunday that broke down on Saturday. Tell your friends that it was I that changed the doctor’s reports; somebody thought one thing but I AM GOD! I kept your travels safe when danger was around you. I woke you up this morning. I brought you through the valley of the shadows of death. Hey little fellas, it was I!! Ummm Folks, can you hear Me up here? God said, Sandy, things are rough right now but trouble don’t last always. I told you not to worry, to lay your troubles on the altar. Everything that comes upon you give it to Me, turn and walk away. I want you to tell Me that you don’t know how you are going to pay this bill or that bill, how you’re going to keep a roof over your head. Ask Me what should you do when you’re having problems in your marriage, on your job, in your finances, with your family, with your children. Call, text, or email Me first; My calls are free... Oh yeah, and when I deliver you from the snares of the enemy; don’t be ashamed to shout and give Me the glory! Don’t act like you did it all on your own. Don’t be ashamed to tell someone how good I am. Stop and say, “HE, ALONE, is God!!” Ummm folks, can you hear Me up here?

~Stay Prayed Up! CLICK ON THE LINK