I’ve been a little short on funds lately; I had a few larger
expenses and didn’t budget quite like I should’ve to make up for them. Over the
past couple of months, I’ve had to borrow money from my parents a couple of
times. I would pay them back only to realize that I still needed help. I had
realized the error of my ways and sworn to be more cautious, but when my last
payday came, my balance was low enough that I could only afford tithing, rent,
and groceries. That weekend, I went
grocery shopping and paid my tithing. When I checked my balance on Monday,
however, I realized that I hadn’t calculated properly and did not have enough
money to pay my rent. I was short by 30 dollars.
I had a few options. I could borrow more money from my
parents, but I really hate to do that, and I don’t want them to worry about me.
I could ask my landlady to hold my check, but that’s hardly professional, and I didn't want her to worry either. Finally, I knelt and prayed for a miracle. I told the Lord that if I had to, I’d swallow
my pride and borrow the money from my parents, but if it was His will for
things to work out differently, I’d sure appreciate it.
Friday came, and still I had no idea how I would pay my
rent. I’d pretty much resigned to the fact that I’d have to borrow from my
parents. That evening, though, two friends who had owed me money paid me back. I then rediscovered a check from
Intermountain Health, crediting me for an overpayment, and a twenty dollar bill
I had received for Christmas. Together, these totaled 80 dollars. It was more
than enough to pay my rent. I realized that the Lord had provided a miracle.
Part two isn't necessarily a miracle, but it’s an act of
service that brought tears to my eyes. This morning, while driving to my
parents’ house for Easter brunch, the gas light turned on in my car. The last
quarter tank of gas tends to sneak away from me if I’m not paying close attention,
and apparently I hadn't been. I knew that I probably had enough gas to get
around for the rest of the day, and I knew I could afford to get a little bit
of gas the next day, but I felt a bit defeated. It had been a very long week, and
this just stressed me out a bit.
My mom was kind enough to let me borrow her car for church
so that I could make the gas that I had left last longer. Later that night, when I left for home, I
noticed that the gas gauge now showed that I had just over a quarter tank of
gas left, rather than the eighth I’d had that morning. At first I thought the
gauge would return to low as I drove, but it didn't It stayed up there the
whole drive home. It turns out my brother (who is not active at this time) took
my car while I was at church and put just a little bit of gas in it. I started
to cry as I realized the love that my brother has for me that led him to do
this act of service for me. He might not have thought much of it, but it meant
a lot to me.
For the few of you who read this blog (and maybe the few of
you who have stumbled across it), I want you to know that the Lord knows and
loves each and every one of us on a very personal level. He knows what we need,
and He will bless us for keeping His commandments. The tender mercies of the
Lord are real. Miracles are a part of reality. I know that trusting in the Lord
has and will continue to bring me to a greater level of happiness than anything
on Earth can ever hope to aspire to.
Today we celebrate Easter. We remember Christ’s Atonement
and resurrection. We believe in a living Christ who has suffered for our sins.
He knows each of our sorrows. He has felt each of our trials, and He will lead
us to salvation by the straight and narrow path. I say these things in the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
P.S. I’m now 27. Still single, still doing great J
