God’s provision is amazing. The word “provision” comes from Latin and means “to see beforehand.” God the Provider can see beforehand. On September 14th, Carter had come home from college for the weekend. As he parked his car, the shifter would not go into park. The car turned off, but we were unable to start the car again. We had to call a tow truck to get the car to the garage. We have been going through a lot in recent months. Have you ever thought, “could one more thing go wrong?” We sure have! When Carter went back to school, he had to take Matthea’s car. He has a job at school and needs transportation. Matthea had to start using Caleb’s car to get to work. I had to take Caleb and the younger two kids to school. Caleb and Christian had band practice every afternoon, Caleb has a job to get to. Every day was so much juggling of who was driving who to what location and at what time. Along with that, someone had to be home when the 7-year-old got home from school.
Back to the car. At first, we thought it would be a repair covered under a recall. Something to do with the cable that links the gear shifter to the transmission. We then found out that wasn’t the issue. The garage has been great, but they were busy all week. As a side note, maybe it is a good sign if your garage is always busy?? Anyway, the following week they figured out the problem and ordered the part. The part wasn’t too expensive, but a lot of labor. The garage called us at the end of the week to say the part won’t come in for about 10 days. They had called junk yards and looked all over for a used part but had to order it from the dealership. So now, we have to juggle all this car management for two more weeks. Along with that, we have to figure out how we’re going to pay for this.
At the end of the two weeks, the garage calls again to say that with the dealership, the part is on backorder and won’t come in until sometime between October 12th and 20th. So, now we’re looking at a few more weeks of juggling cars. I asked the mechanic if I could locate the part somewhere else (junk yard, ebay, etc.) can I order it and have them install it. They were happy to do that. He showed me the part. I went online and found the part, verified with the mechanic that it was the exact part needed, and then placed the order for it on October 3rd. It would arrive on the 8th. Also, at a fraction of the price from the dealership. Over that next weekend, two different people (not connected to each other) gave us monetary gifts. They said, “God put on our heart to give this to you.” We hadn’t shared this need with anyone! The total of the two gifts was enough to cover the cost of this work! Isn’t that amazing!!
Then, on the 8th, instead of getting the part, I get an email saying it is on back order and won’t be shipped out to us until the 23rd. Ugh! More and more weeks of this car juggling. A few days later, in the early morning hours, Matthea was awake and praying. She said, “Father, it seems like very little is working out in our favor. Can you somehow get us the car part faster?” I didn’t know she had prayed that prayer. Later in the day, I went online and checked with other part retailers and found it somewhere else. I ordered the part, and it said it would be here on Tuesday the 15th! 20 minutes later, I get an email from the first place I ordered, and it said the part was shipped and I would receive it on the 15th! When I told Matthea that we now have 2 parts coming, both arriving the 15th, she told me of her prayer! As I sit here this morning and type this, there are two parts arriving in the next hour! Carter is at the house today, and if all works out right, he will be able to have his car back and drive his car to back to college!
I said this was a story of God’s provision. Here’s what He is showing us. First, He knows everything. Second, His timing is always right. Third, all things are His. The Bible teaches us to view every possession as belonging to the Lord. I have prayed, “Lord, your car has a broken part, and it needs to be replaced.” Fourth, God meets our needs. Yes, we could pay for the repair, but God put on the hearts of two different people to meet our need. Fifth, we must wait on the Lord. I went ahead and ordered the part from another retailer, but the one I originally ordered was being shipped out early! God was taking care of it. He didn’t need my help!
I don’t know what you’re facing. I don’t know what things He has told you to wait on. I don’t know what needs you have. But I do know this…God knows. God sees. God has a plan. God’s timing is always perfect.
A Pastor's Thoughts 