A knot tightened in my stomach as I sorted through the stack of notices demanding payment with money that did not come in that month. As a single mom, with little or no child support, money was always an issue. This month, in particular, was difficult. My income consisted of a modest salary, but the main portion came from a productivity check. That month, the office did not have the business that was standard, so no productivity check came. This check was to pay the mortgage and health insurance for the month.
I knew that if I missed a payment, I would always be behind, and there would be endlessly added on late fees. My fear was that I would never be able to catch up and would eventually lose the house. I didn’t have enough money to make it through each month as it was.
I searched for anything that could be sold but, there was nothing. The things I owned were worn and tattered, much like my life. God’s Word promised that He could provide all my needs, but my question was this: would He?
After being betrayed by a husband, trust was an issue. How could I trust a spirit I had never seen, when flesh and blood made promises that were never kept? Whether God showed up or not, I was no longer able to control the outcome or provide God with any help in solving this problem of keeping my children and me in our home. Either He was God who could do miracles or He was not and all I could do was wait and see.
Walking to the mailbox, I lick my lip, swollen from biting back tears, and gathered bills shouting warnings of delinquency. There in the stack was a letter from my mortgage company. Peeling back the opening, ready to surrender to their demands, a check fell out.
Two years earlier my former husband and I sold our family home in the divorce. The letter stated that the equity escrow was never returned to us. Lifting the check from the ground, and turning it over, my mouth opened wide. I could not believe the amount. It was what I needed to cover the bills for the month.
He created it all, he owns it all, he makes it work even when we do not think we have all the elements for success. He makes a way when there is no way. He causes trenches of water in the desert without wind or rain.
Maybe your water in the desert is the need for healing of your body, or maybe it is the need for a prodigal to return home. Maybe your need for water is for your spouse to be saved.
For the children of God, the water came during morning sacrifice, a time of worship.
As you wait for water in your desert try worshipping God. Your problem is easy for Him. He is not waiting for you to be perfect or to help Him, He is asking you to wait in faith. You are loved. He is working for you. Wait in worship
God doesn’t need your help in these matters any more than He needs wind or rain to make valleys of the desert into trenches of water. What He is asking you to do is to wait patiently on Him. At the right time, He will do it.
Thus, says the Lord, make this valley full of trenches.” For thus says the lord, you shall not see wind nor shall you see rain yet that valley shall be filled with water so that you shall drink both you and your cattle and your beasts. And this is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord” 2Kings 3:16-18
Are you in need of water in your desert? What are you waiting on? How can we pray for you? Please leave your prayer requests in the comment.
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What a huge story of hope. Thank you for looking back over your shoulder and seeing the hand of God. This line: How could I trust a spirit I had never seen, when flesh and blood made promises that were never kept? I’m sure this sentiment stands in the way of many women trusting God, and your story, so warm and alive with faith, builds a bridge to show how trust can happen again!
Thank you Michele, You are such an encouragement to me. God has a way of wooing us back into trusting him again.
Beautiful words because they speak the Truth. Thank you for this reminder.
I’m so glad they bless you, Debbie. Thank you for commenting.
Diane, this is powerful. I hadn’t known your story. I’m so sorry for all you endured. I can see how this trial has tested you and made you come forth as gold, and how you now have used it to help other women, some of whom have likely walked around in your desert hiking shoes. This is such a beautiful post about God’s provision (and your faith, trust, and courage). When I read it, I thought of my dear brother and the hell he had gone through for years, which came to a screaming crisis with his divorce a couple of years ago. The details are too private and painful to detail here, but we saw no way through several catastrophes that hit him at that time. I kept praying over and over again for God to part the Red Sea of his difficulties (another desert metaphor)! And the Lord did in ways too miraculous to count. We still stand amazed at His faithfulness to my brother and how much better he is doing now. I also love the Bible story about Elijah and the widow, and how he told her to put her jars out and God would fill them with oil. Jars, trenches, water, oil, they are all insignificant to God, but impossible to us. May we keep trusting Him to meet our needs and keep putting out our jars and digging our trenches. He won’t fail us. Thank you so much for sharing.
Love
Lynn
Oh Lynn you have blessed me so much. I feel like I’ve been to church! Thank you for taking a moment or two to stop by and comment.
I love this Diane. I’ve been there myself as a single mom struggling. God provides. He is a good and faith friend we can rely on.
Being a single mom has Got to be the most difficult job! But through it, we see God in ways we wouldn’t have in any other situation. Praise Him in the trenches!
LOVE this – Thank you for sharing your heart! You are such an encouragement to me and I know so many others! My phrase is always BUT GOD………
Ohhhhh, yes! Those are the words that change the world, aren’t they? “But God…”
I love this testimony of God’s faithful care!
Yes, He is faithful always.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful piece of yourself with your readers Diane. Remembering that our Father God does not need my help continues to allude my brain and heart. Waiting is not one of my strong suits. ? But God…..
I really am considering getting “But God” tattooed somewhere on my body. Need to build up courage first ?
Diane I so remember times like these. Even before I fully surrendered my heart to the Lord, he always took care of us. As I look back over my lifetime, I see his hand of provision and protection onus tge entire time, even when it seemed as if we were on our own. He is faithful.