Last October my family engaged in a 40 day fast, like we have for the past 20 or so years. During that time, Ryan and I were specifically praying for direction and leading for Ryan's career. One night, while praying, the Lord deeply impressed upon us to tithe a very specific percentage of our income for the next six weeks. It was very different from what we had been tithing, and when we prayed about it, we both felt very confident that the Lord was saying, "Test me on this, and see that I will be faithful. If nothing happens, you can stop." It was only six weeks, so we decided to go for it. During that time, Ryan left a job that he'd been at for a few years, got a temp job and randomly during that same time frame, the temp position was no longer needed. We were faced with a decision. Trust God for that six week period and continue to tithe what we had felt led to tithe, or abandon the "experiment" altogther. After praying and talking we decided that Ryan's loss of employment had not come as a surprise to God, and that it wasn't a coincidence that it happened during the six week period. We were faithful. Near the end of the six weeks, God showed to be faithful.
My sister called me up saying she'd been praying about Ryan's job situation and had he considered the post office? After discussion, I thought that it may be an idea and passed it along to Ryan. Two days later, talking to my father he said, "I was praying about Ryan's job situation, and has he considered the post office?" Me, thinking he was in cohoots with my sister, said, "Oh, so you've been talking to Missy, huh?" They both vehemently denied any such plotting.Ryan took a risk, signed up to take the postal exam and passed. He then applied for a bunch of postal jobs, most of which were for 8-12 hours a week, as that's how we were reassured you get started with the post office. A month went by and Ryan ended up getting a job with full time hours in Michigan! I also went to look for travel assignments in the area. I'd been assured that there were none for the past five years in that area, so it was a long shot. But the night I went to look, one got posted. I applied and received an offer later that week.
Every door has opened for us to make a huge transition and change and we're excited. It was by no coincidence or chance, but rather came from prayer and fasting and tithing. It wasn't the amount that mattered, but obedience to what the Lord had put on our hearts.
If you're stuck in a rut, consider praying, fasting and tithing. There is power in the simple. God wants to move in our lives. He wants to be the Lord of our hearts. He wants us to learn to trust Him, even when it doesn't make sense. Tithing makes no earthly sense, but it makes Godly sense, and I'm thankful for that.My sister called me up saying she'd been praying about Ryan's job situation and had he considered the post office? After discussion, I thought that it may be an idea and passed it along to Ryan. Two days later, talking to my father he said, "I was praying about Ryan's job situation, and has he considered the post office?" Me, thinking he was in cohoots with my sister, said, "Oh, so you've been talking to Missy, huh?" They both vehemently denied any such plotting.Ryan took a risk, signed up to take the postal exam and passed. He then applied for a bunch of postal jobs, most of which were for 8-12 hours a week, as that's how we were reassured you get started with the post office. A month went by and Ryan ended up getting a job with full time hours in Michigan! I also went to look for travel assignments in the area. I'd been assured that there were none for the past five years in that area, so it was a long shot. But the night I went to look, one got posted. I applied and received an offer later that week.Every door has opened for us to make a huge transition and change and we're excited. It was by no coincidence or chance, but rather came from prayer and fasting and tithing. It wasn't the amount that mattered, but obedience to what the Lord had put on our hearts.If you're stuck in a rut, consider praying, fasting and tithing. There is power in the simple. God wants to move in our lives. He wants to be the Lord of our hearts. He wants us to learn to trust Him, even when it doesn't make sense. Tithing makes no earthly sense, but it makes Godly sense, and I'm thankful for that.
