Faith In God For Everything | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Faith In God For Everything | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maria Lee
07/24/16
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Faith In God For Everything

Passion and obsession kept my dream aflame for many years to own a flower shop. Finally in June 1997, my husband Sterling, and I, purchased one in South Florida.
Three months before the end of the four-year lease, we asked God to show us where we should relocate and specifically somewhere close by to retain our customers.
Within a month God answered our prayers. The plaza which was about 300 yards away from our address, had a vacated unit. My husband contacted the property managers of the plaza and signed a lease.
In preparation for this move, I mentally assessed everything needed to set up a functional flower shop in the new facility. The main item was a medium size walk-in cooler for the flowers to retain their freshness. I contacted my friend Louise who had a flower shop but closed it upon retiring and said I could have the small cooler when I was ready; in the meanwhile, she kept it in a public storage.
When I spoke with Louise to let her know I was ready for the cooler, she gave me the disappointing news that she sold it to her brother since the monthly storage fee was unmanageable for her. I was happy for her to have that burden removed, but my heart sunk as I listened.
We were quite disappointed but Sterling and I trusted God as our provider. Again, we went to our Heavenly Father and prayed about the walk-in cooler and everything else for the new facility.
One Saturday, my faith in God leaped within me with an assurance that our prayers have been answered, and I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to write a list of the things we needed for the flower shop. My confidence and trust in God could not be swayed.
I called out to Sterling, “Honey, I believe God wants us to make a list of the items we need”. In obedience, I wrote an itemized list according to priority with the walk-in cooler as the first item.
Fully trusting in God’s goodness and love for us, His children, I said to Sterling, “Honey, since we believe God is going to provide everything, I think we could write a check as a “thank you” offering to the Lord, to honor Him.” Sterling agreed and we proceeded to write a check with a letter to our pastor explaining the purpose of the offering, with our prayer of petition to God to supply our needs for the new facility, based on the principle of faith.

I know we cannot buy or manipulate God to meet our needs, but I believe in the principle of faith written in Mark 11:24 (NIV)” Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”.

The next day we excitedly drove to Grace Church for the Sunday service. Dave Martin was the visiting speaker who delivered a captivating message on memorial offerings. I sat at the edge of the pew absorbing every word he spoke. It felt like he was speaking to us directly and God used the message to confirm our faith in action. The offering basket came around and we eagerly placed our envelope in it. We went home with increased faith and expectation of God’s faithfulness to provide.
Our daughter Stacey, and her family accompanied Sterling and I, to visit another church that afternoon where the service was relaxed with a good message. As the service ended, while walking toward to exit door, I realized I had forgotten my bible on the pew. Sterling was on his way to retrieve it when he met Ozzie. While getting acquainted with each other, Ozzie asked Sterling what type of business he had and Sterling replied, “I have a little flower shop”.
Ozzie quickly asked, “What size is your flower shop?” As Sterling was figuring out the dimensions, Ozzie piped up, “I have a cooler, and I’m going to give it to you! You can have it this week, and if you don’t have a way of picking it up, I will send it to you!” Wow! God answered our prayers within 4 hours of our memorial offering. Praise the Lord!
We learned that our faith and trust in God according to His word will produce results for His glory.

(non-fiction)

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