My Wealthy Father

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 

Leaving Southern Hills Baptist Church in December of 2010 was one of the wildest decisions we have ever made. The church was exploding, the pastor was awesome, our kids were 3 years old and 11 months old, and we just bought our dream home. That was, until God shook our little comfort party and moved us to a place where we could only trust Him to provide. The day we moved into our little apartment at Old Farm Shores in Kentwood Michigan, I looked around at our new strange igloo-like surroundings and my little family and said in my heart, “What in the world did God just do?” What if this church of twenty doesn’t grow? What if I have to shovel snow on the side to pay bills (I did)? Who wants to come to an old building with no programs and a pastor with little experience? Many more questions and doubts filled my heart.

The first month we were hit with an $8,000 bill by the IRS. Katie fell down a flight of stairs and lacerated her kidney. I used up the remaining $5,000 in the church account for essentials in retreading a church. I enthusiastically made my family and church believe God was in it, and He would provide, but in my heart, there was fear and doubt. Dr. R.B. Ouellette once said that “faith is not the absence of doubt, it’s having 1% more faith than you do doubt.” Well, I was hanging on to that 1% for dear life.

Many Christians know that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but knowing the cattle exist and receiving some of them are two different things. We watched as God provided above and beyond what we could ask or think. Katie is almost 8 and has also gone through cancer. God provides! Our growing church has recently bought and remodeled a beautiful 22,000 square foot building and about to bring on our third staff member. God provides! We have a new igloo. God provides! It was frightening to trust God alone to provide, but I am glad we did. His provision is not just a subject we study; it’s now a lifestyle we live. You too can trust your wealthy Father.

How has God miraculously provided for you in the past? Is your faith 1% greater than your doubt?