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04 May 2014

Don’t Worry, Be Happy! by Caryl McAdoo



Author Caryl McAdoo
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Such a worrier! Unbeknownst to my dear mother, she exampled the bad habit throughout my childhood and even until she went to live with Christ, so I came by it quite honestly. Oh how upset I’d get with my dear husband because he refused to join my fretting. “Caryl,” he would say, “why should I? You worry enough for both of us.”

“But the bills! They need to be paid, and what about the baby? He’s so sick.”

Then in my forties, I received a birthday card from Bill Gothard’s Basic Youth Conflict, a simple homemade stiff paper printed with ‘Worry Hinders Every Promise of God.’ I stuck it in my mirror—mostly because its paper was a pretty shade of green, my favorite color. Every day, I saw it there, usually more than once. Then one time as I glanced at it, as clear and up close as high definition TV, the Holy Spirit wrote the Truth across my heart.

Worry hindered God’s promises to me! Every one!

I repented and received forgiveness, then ever since—much to my beloved Ron’s penchant—I quit worrying. Completely. Through the years, my faith has grown strong, and my desire is to please Him. I want to bring glory to the One Who loves me so much that He offered His Son so I could be with Him forever. Once He opened my blinded eyes, I clearly saw the waste of worry. It never accomplishes anything, except maybe to make you sick. (Repent of confessing, “I’m worried sick!” Quick!)
And it’s the total opposite of faith! Hebrews 11:6 tells us “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” To worry insinuates God isn’t big enough or doesn’t care. I absolutely know that is not true. He always ALWAYS comes through, provides my needs, and watches over me. I’ve proven Him o’er and o’er, and encourage you to as well.

In my new historical Christian romance VOW UNBROKEN, more than ten times I’ve used the phrase “Don’t worry”. Here’s how my heroine Susannah Baylor thinks about it. “One thing she did know. She’d learned long ago that worrying about tomorrow never changed a thing, so she dismissed the elusive day and its troubles and focused on a completely different subject. That wasn't a hard thing for her.”
God grew Susannah’s faith through her twenties when she found herself widowed, pregnant, and the guardian of an orphaned nephew on a hard Tejas prairie in 1822. A wonderful Truth to learn so young, but whether a millennia ago or the twenty-first century, those who belong to God should abandon every whim to worry.  It brings His sweet peace that passes understanding.

Friends and family oft think I’m weird, but it’s a perfect opportunity to testify! Right now, I have no wheels. Well, I do to, but they have no transmission! In one week, I have a very hectic schedule tied in to the release of VOW UNBROKEN which includes twenty-six events in twenty-two cities, and seemingly no way to get there. Several people, with great anxiety in their tone, have asked, “But Caryl! What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I’m not worried about it. God knows my every need, and He already has a plan in place for me to get around. So, I’m just waiting on Him to reveal what that is. I am checking doors, but haven’t found an open one yet.” I’m at peace. I know He will provide, He always ALWAYS does.

Post Script: I wrote this February 26 and now I’m re-reading it on April 26. I want to testify to the great goodness of my Jehovah Jireh – God, My Provider! My sister let me borrow her car the first week of March to get to all my Book Launch Events while she was out of state. On Tuesday of the 2nd week, I was told to go check makes and pick out a car, I went to Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Chevrolet, and Ford and chose a Toyota Corolla (they had a GREEN one J).  The next day I was told to go find the best price at all the Toyota dealerships in the Metroplex. I found the best out the door tax, title, and license price, and God’s chosen came and wrote a check for the Toyota! A brand new green 2014 Corolla with FIVE miles on it and put the car into my name! How can the devil EVER convince me God won’t take care of me? What would I ever have to worry about when He who sits on Heaven’s throne is my God?


A Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo
BLURB:
Susannah Baylor reluctantly hires Henry Buckmeyer to help her along the Jefferson Trace, the hard stretch of land between her Texas farm and the cotton market, where she's determined to get a fair price for her crop. It's been a long, rough ten years and the widow's in danger of losing the land her husband and his brother left to her and the children, but she needs help to get both her wagons safely to Jefferson. She knows Henry's reputation as a lay-about and is prepared for his insolence, but she never expects his good looks or irresistible, gentle manner. Soon entwined in a relationship that only gets more complicated, she prays Henry comes to know God the way she does. Dangers arise on the trace, but none as difficult as the trial her heart faces. Will Susannah and Henry's love overcome their differences? And will she get her crop to market and sale it for enough to save her farm? In this heartening and adventurous tale, a young woman's fortitude, faith, and heart are put to the ultimate test. 



BIO:

Caryl McAdoo and her husband Ron—high school sweethearts—live with four grandsons in the woods south of Clarksville, the county seat of Red River County in Northeast Texas. She enjoys four-wheeling over the 916-acre McAdoo Ranch, horseback riding, and singing the new songs God gives her. For every blessing in her life, including ten children (counting in-loves) and fourteen grandsugars, Caryl credits her relationship with the Lord, and her heart’s desire is to glorify Him.

GIVEAWAYS: This week we'll be giving away two copies of Caryl's new release. Answer the following question: How has God provided for you when you were trusting Him for provision?


51 comments:

  1. Love this post. Really made me think about worrying. OR NOT worrying. Caryl has such a lovely attitude about life and the grace of God shines through her, even in photographs!

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    1. Thank you, Holly. Some lessons don't come as easy, but when the Lord finally gets through... I pray I'm pliable toward Him and any Truth He reveals. My middle name is Lavonne - it means bendable :) Like a willow! Yes, Lord!

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  2. Answer to the question: On the way to the ACFW conference, I bowed my head with worry. I silently said four words: Can I do this? I had so many hopes and plans. THEN, a moment later, while my head was still bowed, my husband said, "Look up!" The lane was ending and flashing arrows were pointing to the left. Ahead was a truck. On the back of the truck, it read, "AM and under it CAN. My husband said, "That looks like God is saying I AM You CAN. (He didn't know what I was praying.) AND that conference was awesome! Got an agent and a book contract and more blessings continue to follow. Why worry. God says. I AM. YOU CAN!

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    1. I LOVE it when that happens!! :) God is so good ALL the time!

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  3. In a time when our family was going through a difficult time financially, we literally didn't have any food for dinner one day in particular but gathered the children around the table anyway, held their hands and prayed, thanking the Lord for his provision of a home, and trusted him to provide for all our needs. While we were praying there was a knock on the door. A neighbor who works for the state said there had been an accident involving a 'salad' truck. The product had to be cleaned up and could not be sold on the shelves. All bags were in perfect condition and she asked us if we wanted them. Uh. Yeah. The Lord provided and we were not going to turn it down. HE is always faithful!

    On a side note, during the year and a half we were unemployed, we learned that our standards are not always God's standards, and what we THINK we need to survive is in fact NOT what we need at all. All we needed was Him. He took care of everything else. Daily.

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    1. I meant to say "All we need IS Him" :)

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    2. There've been times when all we had was oatmeal, Ann. When God so faithfully provides and sees you through such times, it just gives you the gumption to laugh at the devil if he tries to get you to think God isn't going to come through. And, like you said, His ways aren't always what OUR ways would be ;) but He will never leave or forsake us. It is so much easier to TRUST Him when you know that is True :)

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  4. What a wonderful testimony of God's provision! I can't say I have mastered the not worrying to the extent that Caryl has. However, I don't know how I would ever manage to get through each day, week, month or year without the guidance and strength of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has smoothed the way and given me direction.

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    1. It is only by His grace and mercy that He brought me through so much so many times, revealed His precious Truth, and has given me His joy--my strength--to comply, bend to, and love God's Holy Will for my life laid out in His Word. NONE of mastering anything should be attributed to me. I love Him because He first loved me and TOTALLY AGREE, Kay. How do those who don't know Him get through one day? :)

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    2. After my husband died, as I came into contact with other widows, I was so sad for so many who were not Christians and had no promises to rely on. I can't imagine what life would be like for those who have no hope.

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  5. CARYL first I want to welcome you to OWG this week. Then I want to say THANK YOU so much for this post. I am sitting here reading it with tears streaming down my cheeks, I know it was meant for me. I was raised in a Christian home by two godly parents both loved the Lord more than anything in this world. My mother must have been related to yours, she was the queen of worriers, my dad...he was NOT. Every promise in the Bible my dad took to heart, they might as well have had his name printed beside them. There was so many times he would give his last penny to someone in need and not think twice about it, poor mom would rant about we need food, the bills need to be paid and the kids had to have lunch money for school...the list went on and on. Dad would just look at her and say God's got it under control!!! Years later I have my days of being Just Like Mom but I try to be more like dad, because I know my God has it under control. I have been going through a lot of sickness lately and I have been guilty of worrying about what's going to happen but after this great reminder of God's faithfulness I think I'll be changing my way of thinking. THANK YOU!!!

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    1. Praise God, Teresa. Isn't He SO SWEET to remind us things we need to hear? I have a friend who posted a scripture and short reminder this very morning that was E*X*A*C*T*L*Y what I needed to hear. We do serve an AWESOME God! Blessings!

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  6. Caryl, Thanks so much for this guest post with OWG this week. Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us. So glad I got to meet you at ACFW conference (okay, not at the conference but while buying something for my son in the Indianapolis airport afterward lol)! Love your new release!

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    1. I thank you so much for inviting me! Our meeting at the gift shop was truly a divine appointment. Sometimes we don't know it just then, but God knew all along our hearts would fall in love :) I'm so glad you enjoyed VOW UNBROKEN! Your review made me cry, you know :) Happy tears :)

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    2. Oh that is so sweet, Caryl, about my review making you cry and yes, I love those happy tears myself when someone really "gets" my book and posts a review! And I loved, loved, loved your story!!!! I am expecting at least a Christy finalist for you next year. And we can say "She said it here on OWG!"

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  7. Hi Caryl. I really enjoyed this post.I must be truthful and say I have still not mastered the habit of worrying, tho I know it doesn't help a bit. GOD has been there for me many times tho through the years. There's been many times I didn't know how we were going to make it when I first married , both of us very young,and neither parents had any extra money, so I knew I had to keep everything at a minimum cost and GOD helped us through with what little money we had. I learned back then that we never need as much as so many people think they must have. I knew it was with GOD's help that we made it.A more recent time was some years ago, we had to move to the city because my husband didn't have long to live and he wanted me near our kids. Well later, I had a wet floor near the furnace, so Ins. CO. sent a lady who really worked out of town, but was in town because of worker problems here. Well, she figured it to where it could all be fixed. BUT, the man who came and worked on the floor which extended into the bathroom, didn't hook the vent back to the floor, so my electric bill got real big. When I got one for four hundred dollars for this old used trailor, I did not have the money. I was living on a small SS check. Well, I checked every place where people said I could get help. Well, always some excuse given that they couldn't help. I had just about given up when I just happen to walk into the room where the TV was on. It said more money had been given to the Senior Centers to help folks with utility bills. So I went right then. I told the lady who had told mr before that they couldn't help, that the news had just said they received money, and I knew it couldn't all have been spent yet and I needed help now. After hum-hawing around she checked with someone and told me they could help just this one time. I said that's all I'm worried about. This time. So they called the Electric CO. and said they would be paying the whole bill. Praise the LORD. The vent was fixed and I've managed ever since. Not saying it's been easy, but I've made it. Even with my tithes to the LORD coming out first each month. I do need to work harder on not worrying tho. I've tried to teach my kids to pay all bills first then make do with whats left. I would love to win your book. Thanks to my sweet OWG girls for having you today. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Maxie, I can't imagine and don't want to try making it without my husband. I pray the Lord never calls me to that. But you know who's taking care of you, and you're right, it definitely is NOT always easy. I've asked God plenty of times, especially when I was young, "Why does life has to be so hard?" Can you imagine always being on the mountain tops, never traipsing through any valleys? Would will still need Him as much? Would we KNOW that we KNEW "HE" was our Provider or that He would never forsake us? Hard times come to keep us calling on Him, ever drawing closer and closer, learning to trust Him through trials and troubles, believing He is on the throne and in control and that as His eye is on the sparrow, He's always watching over us! Bless your sweet heart, Maxie!

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    2. Maxie, I know you would love this book, sweet Texas lady that you are! And I think you would love Caryl's really neat and strong voice. Can't wait for the next book.

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  8. So nice to see you here, Caryl. Your book sounds very inviting.

    Recently, God made the answer obvious to me regarding a decision I needed to make. He made the situation clear and for that I'm truly grateful.

    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. That's a wonderful testimony, Cindi! Oh to know we're in His perfect will! I love it when He makes things clear! I don't hate the times when we have to step forward in faith--I believe He'll keep us safe even if we got it wrong so long as our heart's intent is being obedient--and those times strengthen us. But it's just SWEET when He shows us! Blessings!

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  9. Very uplifting, Caryl. so happy for you that the car situation worked out in such an incredible way.

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    1. Amazing, right? He's so amazing! He gave me a beautiful new song titled "It Isn't Only Your Grace That's Amazing!" Thank you and blessings!

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  10. CARYL, thank you for being with us this week on OWG! I know we are going to enjoy having you, and just gotta say that ever since I "met" you, I have certainly enjoyed your spunk!!

    I am facing a trial right now (it's looming in the distance), and was doing great until the enemy started putting this thought and that thought in my head. Stuff I had never even thought of! I KNOW you wrote this post just for me, b/c I surely don't want to hinder God's promises by worry! That resonated with me and I will never forget it! Talk about words being fitly spoken! I have a wise sis-in-law that told me one time that 99% of the things we worry about never happen! If you're serving God I believe that's true! And right now I do well to remember that!

    Praise God for your car! I'm with TERESA! You had me in tears, too!

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    1. It's because God loves you so completely, Diana. He wants you to know He is in the midst of these things affecting you, and that He is mighty! He will save! He will rejoice over you with joy! Rest in His love, He will joy over you with singing! (Zephaniah 3:17) You are His beloved :) Hugs and blessings and prayers!

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    2. Now you just made me cry all over again!! That is so beautiful and so needed right now---you just don't know!

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  11. AND NOW "I"m crying to at the goodness of God!
    ♫♪*`•.♥ Bless the Lord.•*♪¨*♥•♪♫ Oh, my soul!♪♫•*♥¨♪and all that is within me.♪♫¸¸.•*♥♪ Bless His Holy name!*•.¸ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸.•*♥For He has done great things♥º°¨•.¸HALLELUJAH!¸.•✿ڿڰۣღ He has done great things!ღ(̆̃̃ڿڰۣ✿♫♪*`♥º°¨•.¸HALLELUJAH!¸•.♥¸.•*♪♫• He has done great things♥♪♫¸•*♥♪ Bless His Holy name!*•.¸ ♫♪*Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸.•*♥

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    1. That is beautiful! How do you do that? He is going to do (and has done) great things for all of us girls on OWG blog!! We have all been tested and tried since we started ministering here, but greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!

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    2. Beautiful singing Caryl!! :-) Love that song!!

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  12. Hi Caryl,
    It has been a joy getting to know you.
    The cover of your book is absolutely beautiful. It sure sounds like it is a good book to read.

    To answer your question. The thing for my was when I didn't have a job for the longest time and then just last year I had told The Lord that I was done submitting applications and that is what I did. I was just basically giving up and not trusting any more. But then a man at my church were I attend approached me and ask me if I would like a job, now mind you that I had just told The Lord that I was done looking for a job. Well I said Yes to this job.
    I am loving every bit of my job.
    I clean a model home that is for a building company that builds million $ homes that is close to the coast. And I also have 2 other cleaning jobs as well. So The Lord is good all the time.
    My life bible verse is Prov. 3:5 & 6.

    Thanks so much for doing this giveaway.
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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    1. Danie, I've heard of many similar instances when we FINALLY "give up" God moves :) I don't know why it happens like that. I know you were praying HE would open the doors to one of those places where you put in applications.
      In March on my Book Launch tour, I saw an old friend from a special church period in the mid 70s. She gave me a party - had read the book as a manuscript and loved it. It'd been forever and we had so much to catcxh up on but she told me about needing a job so bad and no odors had opened - she told the Lord, "Okay, I'm pulling over at the next place I come to and trusting you for a job." It was a big hotel. She thought I can wash toilets, I can clean rooms. She marched in and asked for an application. The lady behind the desk said, "Oh, you're here for the manager's position?" She thought only a minute and responded, "Why yes. Yes, I am." :) She got the job and within a years time was running the whole department with about 30 people under her because God kept blessing her and giving her favor! Isn't that fun! I'm glad you like your job. I cleaned model home/mansions too once. It was quiet - you're your own boss. They were never dirty, just dusty and carpet had footprints :) GOOD job that paid well! God bless you, Danie!

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  13. CARYL, I really need to get onto your books, I just love your attitude and happy spirit, so I'm really glad my OWG cohorts are reviewing yours this week!! :)
    Wow, to properly answer that question would take me forever to answer! ;) God has provided SO much in SO many ways for my family and I, and we know we are in His hands and that He will continue to!! Here's just a few though.. ;) Our first Christmas we had nothing, until our pastor (not knowing) brought around a box of food and we were able to have a lovely meal on Christmas day! We were also actually given a car when we had nothing and it lasted a year and then died, but by then we were able to put a deposit down on a second-hand car! We've gone times without employment, and seen God provide each and every time. One particular day, I sorta got a bit fed up when trying to work out a weekly shopping list with barely anything, I lifted my eyes to God with tears and said to Him, "it's too hard God", within the next half hour I saw someone placing something in our mailbox. It was a supermarket card for $100! Finishing the shopping list wasn't so hard after that! ;) For a time we'd occasionally also buy a box of food for $5 which was for the needy, God would hear me say through the week things like, 'Would love a lemon to go with this, or 'I really feel like 'something or other'... That week, guess what would be in the box that wasn't normally in there?!
    But many years ago, I did use to be a worry wart too... And even when our money wasn't really tight, I'd never buy anything for myself b/c of worrying about money. I could see my daughter putting faith into action by simply buying whatever she needed and letting God 'worry' about it, lol. After hearing a Holy Spirit inspired sermon about faith, that's when it clicked for me. I've never looked back since!! I'm rarely without, because our God is a VERY generous God, I just get it, and send Him the bill! :)
    God bless you Caryl, and thanks for your wonderful and inspiring testimony!!

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    1. I really DID try to keep that short! It just didn't compact as much as I thought it would, lol. ;)

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    2. Oh all our stories and testimonies could fill a wonderful book extolling the love and goodness and faithfulness and kindness and joy of our GOD! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫We are blessed, ♥✞♥♪*•♫♪ We are blessed!♫•✫♥ *♪ Every day that we live ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ we are blessed! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥♫♪ When we wake up in the morning, ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ or lay our heads to rest, ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ *♪•.♪ ♫•*♥♪*•♫♪ We are blessed! ♥✞♪♫•.♪♫ We are blessed!!♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥

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  14. OH I love this! I am showing this to my mother in law. There is no way you could have been more of a worrier than her. She suffers from it and we pray daily for God to open her eyes and give her peace. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
    The most recent instance I can think of is when we knew it was time for a new vehicle, our minivan was beyond repairing. I searched high and low for what we were looking for and everytime I thought I found it - it would be gone by the time we could ask about it. One day I got this sudden urge (of course, looking back I know it was God telling me) to go on a quick day trip to the next state over with my family, a trip we sometimes make twice a year. My hubby didn't argue and agreed we needed to get out. Leaving the restaurant we always go to in that spot, two driveways down sat the exact vehicle we wanted for sale. We took down all the info, shocked at how it was in our price range, mileage and everything! We prayed all weekend and when we called on Monday the man said the weekend buyer fell through. We drove back down there and bought it. It has been a complete blessing ever since - the perfect vehicle for us. God always provides!!!

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    1. Yes he does, and He even cares about what our favorite color is. My husband has said in the past, do we want to buy the best car we can afford, Caryl, or the best GREEN car? I always tell him that the best car we can afford WILL BE green because God knows how much I love the color and He'll give me a green car JUST because he loves me. And He always does!! Yes, Susan, He is our Jehovah Jireh!

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  15. Oh how I can identify! I've gone through something similar over the years. I am still concerned over finances, but I don't worry like I did. When my husband and I praise God at the end of a spectacular day, my spirit soars. He is also there when we have horrible days. He is so amazing and you're right, it's interesting to see the many ways that he provides for us. He has opened many unexpected doors, and we are sure He will open many more. He is ever present and ever faithful.

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    1. Yes, yes, Robin! That is so true. And do you know what? He LOVES to hear us praise Him like we are here at Overcoming With God. He is jealous of His glory, but He is so worthy that it's easy peasy to give Him ALL the glory ALL the time, isn't it? :) Aren't we so blessed to be His? :)

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  16. I really needed this reminder not to worry, thank you! How has God provided for me when I was trusting Him for provision? One of the most memorable times was when I started grad school. My mom & I set out driving from Wisconsin to San Francisco with all my things in the car to get me set up in an apartment a week before classes. We didn't know where to look for a place and we didn't have enough money for a deposit plus first month's rent. God lead us to a wonderful apartment for me in a safe neighbor hood, and some relatives came through for us helping out with the cost. It was the perfect place for me to live while studying.

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    1. Wonderful testimony, Monica! He provides housing and transportation and employment and food for the table, too! I am loving all these awesome tales of God's faithfulness! Blessings to you!

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  17. Thank you SO much for that wonderful testimony/post, Caryl!!

    I come from a family of worriers - my father has suffered from depression since he was in high school, and one of my childhood memories is of going with my mother to take my father's mother for shock treatments. My father has relied on anti-anxiety/depression meds his entire life, and is a constant worrier - even though he is a sincere Christian. I have prayed that he would realize that his true source of strength is in God, and not the meds - but at 92 years of age, it hasn't happened. I refuse to take any prescription meds unless absolutely necessary and then - only briefly, as I have witnessed his becoming addicted to his.

    There have been numerous times over the years that I relied on God to provide for me - the first that comes to mind was when I was living and working in another state in the '70's, single with a young child to support, away from family, and knowing no one except one of the people with whom I worked. I was working as a courier driving a pick-up from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on a route from Nashville, Tn. to Chattanooga, Tn. and back, Monday through Friday - making pick-ups and drops along the way.

    One morning around 4 a.m., I ran off the road, rolled and totaled the truck and woke up in the emergency room as I was being prepared for surgery. I never knew what happened - the last thing I remember was a semi flying past me, I may have been forced off the road. But it was noted on my work records that I had gone to sleep, and I ended up losing my job. I had split my head open, fractured several of my vertebrae, and was told that what kept me from bleeding to death may have been the bleach in my hair.

    My only income was $58.00 a week workman's comp, I sent my son up to my parents to stay while I recuperated and then looked for another job. I ended up losing even my son's bedroom suite on which I was making payments. The same day I had the accident - a godly Christian man I worked with (who was also a lay minister), but had never even spoken to except in passing as our routes were the same hours, came to visit me in the hospital. He said "I know you live alone, have no family here, and have a child to support - God told me to give you this"!! I was overwhelmed that someone I really didn't even know would give me $50.00. This man befriended me and was a wonderful inspiration in my life - God provided for my needs then and has done so ever since then.

    Caryl, thanks for the inspiration and an opportunity to win a copy of "Vow Unbroken"!!



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    1. Oh, you are so welcome, Bonnie. Isn't it also comforting to know that we are not the only ones to have had hard times? It sure is for me. Sometimes we all must think Why??? I'm serving You! I love You! I'm living my life for you! Why does this keep happening? Why can't I ever get ahead? Be normal? Yet, when we read the Word, it says He uses ALL things - not a few, not most, but ALL things - together for our good IF we love Him and are called according to His purpose. Raising these four little grandsons - ages 6, 4, 3, and newborn straight home from the hospital has not been an easy thing. Sometimes it's been hard, those sleepless nights, then when our only vehicle died and we had no transportation for about a couple of months. But I know its the job He's given me to do, so I take one day at a time and eleven years have passed :) And He's made me look so much more like Jesus for my trouble :) That's His job, you know, and those hard times... He uses them to get His job done!

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  18. I had no idea you raised four of your grandchildren, Caryl - what an accomplishment, an amazing but hard task - I'm sure!! SO thankful God gives you the strength and inspiration for one of the most important tasks on earth, and I'm sure your grandchildren are, as well!! What an inspiration you are!!

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    1. You know how the Word says that He won't put on us more than we can handle? I used to say, "Lord, how is it you think I'm such a super woman?" :) They took a lot more energy when they were still little. Since they got bigger, they can help us and don't require so much of our physical energy, but you know how teens are - and four boys can never seem to keep from starting something with one of the others :) And with three being teens - keeping enough groceries to get them full becomes a full time job. We are ALWAYS out of something it seems, and the 11 year old's appetite is starting to pick up already :) Sometimes we've gone through THREE gallons and two boxes of cereal in ONE DAY! Amazing :) Thank you for your kind words, Bonnie. How sweet to think I might inspire anyone :) Hugs and blessings!

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  19. Some neat stories here! I remember one time, we needed to pay for the electric bill and didn't have enough food in the house. There were a lot of people that lived with us at the time as well, so it was a big group. We knelt down to pray and spent the money we had on the electric bill and believed that God will help us provide the food or the money to buy some. The next day, visitors showed up that we were not expecting. They brought a hostess gift of several bags of groceries. It was nice food too, not just stuff we needed, but there was a ham, cheese, butter, luxuries we had not had in months! I knew that God would be the provider for us, even in those hard times! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  20. Martha, that's wonderful! Isn't it great to read about all the ways God has been faithful and come through with His children's needs? Like Paul said - whether I abound or abase, I've learned to be content. Because we know we are His and that He will always provide, we can live in contentment and have no worries. Blessings from Texas!

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  21. WOW--so many great stories. There are a couple times that pop into mind when I consider your question. One was while we were in Bible College and our car broke down and we didn't have the money to get it fixed. As we were contemplating what we should do, there was a knock on the door, and another couple (also Bible College students and on a VERY tight budget) and they handed us the money that was needed for the repairs. We told them we couldn't accept their money, because we knew they needed it just as much as we did. Then the told us words that we have ever forgotten: "If you don't accept this, you will be robbing us from a blessing for doing what He asked of us."

    Another time, we had packed all our belongings into a U-haul and my brothers pickup and trailer, to move from Oregon to Southern California. My husband had been looking for a job for a couple weeks, with no results and we were quickly running out of money. We literally cried ourselves to sleep that night, saying "God! We came here because we thought that was what you wanted us to do and now, not only do we not have enough money to keep going, but now we don't have enough money to go back home?" The next morning we were woke by a knock on the door--the manager told us we had a msg. from one of the places where he had applied! (we didn't even have the money to have a phone in our hotel room). I took him to work that day and found an apartment the next day--in the same complex where Diana Flowers lived with her family.

    One other I will share--my husband had been working for a company that was not making enough money to meet payroll, and we were expecting our 4th child (of 5) and didn't even have the small fee that was expected by our midwife. We were teaching a youth, Sunday School class and the subject of miracles came up, and one of them asked if God still did miracles today. We told them about a miraculous healing of our 1st child when he was a baby, and told them, "but sometimes it just seemed like He didn't do miracles much anymore". A few minutes later we went downstairs to go into the sanctuary for Sunday service and someone handed us an envelope and said, "I was told to give you this". Inside the envelope was the exact amount we needed to pay the midwife 1 week of payments and a note saying there would be another one each week. We looked at each other and said, "OK God--we take that as a slap on the hand saying "See? I told you I would take care of you." These are only a few stories I could share.












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    1. Jon and Vicki - love it! Love It! LOVE IT! And it's true about robbing others of blessings, I've had trouble with that before, and it's a little prideful. Your story about the midwife reminds me of a time at Vacation Bible School, the Lord told me to give this lady all the money in my purse. I got it and stuck in the pages of her Bible without her seeing. Then all day it was like He kept saying it, the unction wouldn't go away. ALL your money. So I sat down and checked my little rat holes and even got all the change from the bottom of my purse. I didn't have time to sneak it to her, so I went to the parking lot and she had left a window cracked, I stuffed it inside. Later, not knowing I had anything to do with it, my Mama said, "I have to share a blessing with you." She proceeded to tell me the lady - a single mother of two - had been praying for rent $ and was about to get evicted. She had found the exact amount to the cent that she needed!

      Ladies, we serve an awesome, loving, caring God - worthy of all praise and glory! Hallelujah! Bless Your Hoy Name, Father! Ther eis no one like You! None to compare! We love and adore You and bless You, God!

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  22. Caryl--you gave me goosebumps. ;-) We serve such an awesome God, who knows just what we need and exactly when and how much. another part to the midwife story: Each Sunday, we began to look forward to going to our little mailbox at the front of the church to get that envelope of money. One Sunday we went and there was no envelope--we were so disappointed, since in the original note it said for a certain # of weeks. The following week, we were not expecting anything, yet found another envelope, this time with double the amount and another note. This note was an apology for missing the previous week. This taught us that we had become dependent on that mailbox to deliver our need--not God. This happened about 30 years ago and we found God teaching us many 'lessons' of trust during those days.
    Vicki

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  23. Not only is God good, He has a great sense of humor! Didn't you just laugh when there was a double payment?? :) Hugs and blessings to you!

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