The Way God Is

In 2001, I made a trip (with Chicken Nugget) to Mill Valley / San Francisco, CA. On the way home, we visited Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah to visit with our friend Boss. The side trip was a joy ride for me, but going to MV/SF was all business! I was there to view the seminary that I would eventually attend, later that same year.
The night after CN and I had arrived on campus, I had CN all tucked in and asleep in our guest room bed. I was feeling anxious and unsure and was praying about many things. I was asking God how this was to be. I was a single mom. Could hardly pay the bills month to month. Didn't know anyone out in big ol' CA. I was terrified of taking this new step, of how it would work out, yet knowing that the God of the universe was calling me to go. He was calling me to obedience. I was sitting on the edge of the bed that night, praying to the God who is in control of everything, and I was still doubting that what He had called me to, He could bring about.
I opened up the Bible and found my way to Ephesians. I didn't know why Ephesians, but just felt I needed to be reading there. So I read. And as I passed the first couple of chapters and figured I could stop reading and go to sleep, I still felt that I should keep on reading. And that's when I made it to Ephesians 3:20-21:
"Now to him who is able to do imeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
I remember that my heart started to pound. I looked up from my Bible and out the window, where foggy hills lay before me. The still, small voice of God stirred within me:
"You'd better get used to this place. And when it's all over, you won't be able to say anything else but that I have done this thing."

Well, He did it. God got me there and I had all I needed, and more! That's the way God is. My mind is finite. What an infinite God can do, I can't grasp. I only need to be obedient.
So I look with great anticipation toward the week of July 31-August 5, when I will be serving God in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. When I subitted to God regarding this trip, I asked Him for money! I had to have money to pay for the trip. So I said, "I will obey You, and I know that You will provide everything I need for this mission trip."
The cost of the trip was $840, and $200 of it was needed immediately in order to register. That $200 came within seven days of the day I had surrendered in obedience to go! It came from two different places, in two different amounts but that together amounted to $200! That's the way God is. Only a handful of people were aware that I was even going. But it was enough people that God was able to provide that immediate need. And why shouldn't He? These things really are cake to God.
I knew the rest of the money would come when I needed it. As SM reminded me while I was at seminary, things came when I needed them. I didn't have books for the semester? Well, SM would say, you just don't need them yet. But the semester has begun and I don't have books! And I don't have money to buy them! Gently again was the reminder, you don't need them yet. And when would the money for books come? Always at the very moment when I could not have waited any longer to not have them. Always, always, always, there was a provision.
" . . . you do not have, because you do not ask God." James 4:2
So, in regard to my upcoming mission trip, I prayed. I asked. I searched myself so that my motives would be pure. I asked God for $840 in the beginning. As of today, I have recieved $1773.
I kept getting letters in the mail with checks inside and the letters would say, "I have prayed about this and God wants me to give you this amount." When I passed the mark of the amount needed, I was just in awe. God must think I need it! I am telling people now that the amount has been greatly exceeded, I don't need anymore money! Several have called or asked me at church how much more I need, and can they help me out. I tell them to pray about it, and if God leads them to give, then that money will be used to help the people in Hattiesburg. There's lots of things that I can do with the extra money in regrads to the needs of those in Hattiesburg. So if you are reading this, and were about to write me a check and stick it in the mail, stop and pray! God might have another place for that money to go. My need has been greatly met, and thanks to so many who have blessed me, I will be able to greatly bless others! But at the end of it, I will say, "It is God who has done this thing!"