My prayers are answered with unforeseen and astonishing blessings.
This morning I woke knowing the work in front of me. Completing the job I'm on seemed very far away, even though the completion date is this month's 19th day While walking our dogs I talked to God, viewing his beautiful creation. I thanked Him for the provision I'd be managing in a short time ahead.
Today my back pinched as I took uneven steps being pulled to one side or the other. The long hours of physical labor have been taking a toll on my body. This is a body previously injured, body medicine only repaired to a very limited functionality. Only five years ago I couldn't work more than a 1/2 a day. When I did perform that work, I was laid up for 2-3 days.
The fact that I work 6 days a week usually 11 hours a day cannot be explained unless miraculous healing is considered. So when I feel the past agony and pain creeping up while walking two dogs of 150 pounds combined weight, I am very concerned about how easily I could become crippled up again.
I have been in prayer over our condition for quite sometime. We are a one income household and just as the completion of the job seemed so far away our financial condition seemed to worsen even when production increased. My wife could get a job to meet the gap, but that isn't an option. She is busy completing a writing work the Holy Spirit had instructed her to put together.
I am not one to complain about much of anything. I don't believe it serves any useful purpose, and moreover, I believe complaining about anything moves me further away from God. To God alone I petition my condition of need, my lack of confidence, my exhaustion and my fear of not fulfilling His will, as best that I understand it. This morning God heard that what I needed to accomplish was beyond my own ability.
The Devil has been tempting me trying to convince me that in serving God all I should expect is what I have, and maybe even less. No worries, I know the Devil's dance His seduction is mighty, but the Lord's Sacrifice is greater.
I went to work this morning finishing up an add on paint job for another property. I thought of writing specifically about faith tonight and put it on the back burner. I made my way to Lowes for items I needed to bring the priority job towards completion. As I went through the list of details to accomplish in my mind I pulled into the entry of the store. At the final turn I saw a guy standing on the side of the road, holding a sign I didn't bother reading. The Holy Spirit told me to say, "I don't have any cash to give." Without rejecting Him I yelled the same out my window. The guy walked over to the door and lifted the sign so I could read it. Then he said, he was willing to work for food. A car pulled up behind me, so I moved up out of the way of traffic and parked the car. The guy walked across the roadway to where I parked. I got out of the car with pen and paper ready to take his number down. Turns out the guy has no immediate number for contacting him, but I could leave a message he'd get for calling another number.
Despite what my worldly experience was telling me, the Holy Spirit urged me to stay put and listen, but to also ask questions. After a ten minute exchange I invited him to park his scooter and come to work with me for the day. He was ready to secure his scooter, but I told him I came to shop so shop I must. He said he'd be waiting, which he was.
The ten foot counter top I'd otherwise manage alone later on in the day was now manageable. A potential hire would also suffice my bosses need to accomplish a growing list of work. When I came to know that this man named Don D also lived in a trailer park, my curiosity peaked! My boss is actively seeking to buy more properties. As far as Don knew the owner transferred the ownership of the lot to her daughter. He also said that the entire park was occupied but in need of a great amount of rehab on all 60 units!
When I take up the wisdom of the invisible man, He in turn gives me glimpses of what the future is and how it will work out. What I envisioned was one more blessing after another all meant for God's glory in His will for myself, Don, my boss and those I didn't even know. Save Don and myself, none knew of what I was being shown. Don only learned of it as the Holy Spirit revealed it to me.
After collecting the counter top we took the 45 minute drive to the job sharing in our walk with God. When we got to work, Don listened and began. With Don and while serving the Lord in what we did it seemed as though a day and a half of production was gained. We worked for 5 hours! Don is coming by for 8 AM tomorrow. He understands the work to be done, and sees how it can be accomplished by the end of Sunday. We share the universal rhythm servants of God know. I can only imagine what the results will be after a couple of full days of work!
Minus the Sabbath, we have two days for production. Then we are expected on another job.
During work today another customer of mine called. She was taking delivery of a kitchen for a property I worked on a few months ago. I told her maybe Monday I could squeeze her in. She asked how many days. I responded, One day! I told her I had help. I didn't fully commit but left it tentative with a high probability of being there. That job is a bone because the pay is premium. Only trouble is the travel time. I see this as affirmation from the Holy Spirit, as He shows me what blessings lie ahead.
I listen to ministers, preachers and the like almost all the time speaking to the operation of God's will.
I listen during the drive, while I work, and even after we get home. Listening is fine Listening sharpens your senses to hear the direction of God. But acting on the direction of God and seeing what the obedience of acting on His direction is what I call Abundant Life.
Ceaseless prayer during faith stretching times presents a condition where God provides an opportunity. When you seize the opportunity all the impossible that was in front of you scatters. That light, once so far away at the tunnel's end now warms the hope of all possible in God's will for us.
Don D's prayers were also answered. His stretched faith also recognized that ceaseless prayer receive Boaz blessings only when he was expecting a few bucks to get through another dreary day!
All is well with my soul, and I know of two other souls that are well, concerning this answered prayer.
After tomorrow the wellness of other souls not privy today will also be well.
When I cast a stone in the air intending on striking a bird for dinner I am expecting to eat.
When God cast His stone into the air, the flock comes down, and I find myself having a feast.
Praise be to the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit!
P&B
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