Faithful provider

I have no reason to doubt the God I serve. He is far greater than I could ever imagine. But there is something within me that still wants to question if things will work out, if I'll quite make that payment, or if true joy will find its way to my heart. Its always yes. Its not that things always work out for my good, but God has a way of intervening and showing up. The more I back off and let Jesus into my life, the more evident His work is. 

The past year (or even few years) haven't been the greatest medically. I've hit a few bumps here and there and have to deal with the cards I've been dealt. When I moved to Tuscaloosa, the very first thing on my agenda was to find a surgeon. Thats not exactly the warm welcome you want when you move 11 hours away from home to a town where you know no one. But it was the reality of my situation. I had surgery on my jaw and you may know that had complication after complication with my recovery. Upon returning to town this summer, began the expensive process of being fit for a splint, something I'm suppose to wear 24 hours a day. If you are around me ever, you know I don't do a great job of that, but I'm trying...

When I found out how much the splint was going to cost, I spent a few days praying about not getting it. I knew it would help me, but thought 'I might be willing to be in pain the rest of my life...or at least now, to avoid that cost. I just don't know how I can pay that...' But the idea of that playing out, the constant pain, continual soft foods made me sick, so I went through with it. 

I know wear something that looks similar to a football mouthpiece, much harder in material and gives me a noticeable lisp. When you get over the cool factor, its not horrible, but certainly not something I would wish for anyone. But it cost a pretty penny, one that showed grace and provision...here's how.

I've told the story time and time again now of being in the doctors office when I broke down. This is the doctors office. It was a combination of the idea of paying for the splint, wearing it, and my life all together just causing anxiety. It came out as tears as a loving nurse let me weep. Really, it was much needed and the start of God's hand in this situation. I was about to be up against a pretty tough bill, one I was certain I didn't have the money to pay, but trying to believe with faith God would provide.

Cindy (the loving nurse..) called a few days later. "Christie, I was able to get 200 from my church to help pay for the splint. I hope that helps" Instant tears. Days later, she called again informing me that she got another 500, from another church who wants to invest in college students, and sees this as a great opportunity. By investing in me they have the chance to invest in dozens of students, I was humbled, and no doubt moved to tears. 

I sat in the doctors office as I wrote the first check, knowing it was mostly from others. Ok, I can do this. The rest I will find a way to pay and God will provide. "Christie, I won't be surprised if God provides the rest." I agreed, thinking I should believe that, and hoping, but still having my doubts.

You should know how dear of a friend Allison is to me. She has been a constant encourager, always there for me, and certainly been used by God in my life. We were talking one Sunday afternoon when late in the conversation, she said "have you gotten a staff account transfer from me yet?" I hadn't at that point. She continued to tell me that she had prayed about it, and felt led to give 600 to help pay for everything. I hung up, and cried. See the trend? Is this really happening were my thoughts...I'm down to triple digits of how much is to be paid. 

The following Thursday, I got to catch up with Megan. We talked, updated each other, shared hard times, laughed, the usual. On monday, the day I write this, I got a card in the mail from her and Brandon. It included a check for a couple hundred dollars. The love and grace the people have shown me is beyond me. I can hardly contain it. I called her to thank her almost right away, when I had calmed my emotions, or so I thought, and lost it during the message. 

Its beyond me how faithful the Lord has been in this process. This unexpected cost and procedure has almost fully been taken care of. Its just a matter of a few hundred dollars at this point, and really, that part has already been paid for, so God HAS provided. I'm soooo thankful to have had to have gotten this splint. Its been stressful, frustrating, and hard to express a need, but its been an opportunity for God to show up and prove Himself faithful. He is a faithful provider. He is my faithful provider.