For May 16th:

“And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat nor about your body, what you will put on.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  Consider the ravens:  they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.  Of how much more value are you than the birds?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Luke12:22-24

The diagnosis of a major illness in the life of a family member can drastically change your financial situation.   When our two girls were diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, we could not have imagined all the areas of our life this disease would touch.  It became clear very quickly we were going to have to redo our family budget with a much larger column for medical or we just were not going to make it.  The first time we sat down to do this, it became very apparent our budget was not going to come out in the black.  This was extremely stressful to my husband and I.  We had very few “extras” in our budget as it was, and were struggling to find ways to cut anymore. 

We had over the last few years become more and more convicted about our tithe.  My husband and I felt giving to God was non-negotiable.  As we began to consult people around us about how to handle the new medical expenses, many continually encouraged  us to cut back our tithe.  Jeff and I prayed and prayed about our budget, but soon I realized this was not a budget issue, but faith issue.  If God gave us these girls, He would help us provide for them. If God asked us to tithe, He would make things work.  He did say, “Of how much more value are you than the birds?” We may not have every luxury we ever wanted, but He would provide what we needed.  When we wrote our check that month for our tithe and dropped it in the plate at church, I had no idea the amazing blessings God had in store for us out of that small act of obedience.  Month after month we have continued to give our tithe.  Month after month we have on paper had a budget that much of the time was impossible.  Month after month, God has provided for my family in ways we could have not ever imagined!  We have always had enough, and even though it makes no sense, we have been able to take care of what we needed .  The most amazing part of this journey was experiencing the people who became the hands and feet of Christ for our family, and the amazing opportunities God gave to our family to show Him to others.  It was only through these difficult circumstances I was able to truly see the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, and He is AMAZING! 

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are so incredibly wonderful.  Your provision is greater than anything I could have ever imagined.  All things I have are from you.  Thank you, God, for your faithfulness in the difficult times of my life.  Thank you for loving me even when I doubt you.  Thank you for giving me the difficult opportunities in my life to experience how amazing you are.  Help me to continue to have eyes that see You in the difficult circumstances in my life.  Amen. 

Jessica Griffis