Preparing to Provide

God is thinking about and providing for your needs way before you even realize you will need anything. This was brought to my attention recently when I bought my new home. I was truly amazed.

Before I decided to buy the house, I went over to look at it many times. Judy was the one who met me there on each occasion. She was very friendly as she told me everything about the house I would need to know to make my final decision. At one of the visits, she began to tell me more about her in-laws who had built and lived in the house for over 20 years.

“Irene, my mother-in-law, died in the back bedroom about 18 years ago,” she said.

“Oh really.” I said with curiosity, “What year?”

“1993” she replied.

“What month?” I said with more curiosity  than before.

“October” she said.

“Wow…My husband died in November of the same year!” I said with surprise.

Moments later, the Lord spoke to my heart,

 “Even before your husband died, I was preparing a place for you.”

From those few words, I was lifted to a whole new level of love for the Father Himself as well as a new level of knowledge about His loving care. He had saved this property for me all those years until I was ready to receive it. I was blown away. Seeing God’s love and care manifested in this way was humbling. Quietly, I headed for the master bedroom, fell on my knees and cried with thankfulness. He had not abandoned me while I was in the desert learning obedience. He had been listening all along to my heart’s desires for a new place when the time came. Now…He was giving me all those collected desires in this one home.

There are two other items of interest to this story, which give it even more depth. First, the mother-in-law’s name was Irene. My mother-in-law’s name was Irene, too. Second, the former owner’s name was Howard. When I looked the name up later for it’s meaning, I found this:

HOWARD:

Language/Cultural Origin: English

Inherent Meaning: Chief Guardian

Spiritual Connotation: Discerning

Scripture: Psalm 37: 23 NKJV

     The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,

           and He delights in his way.

I felt God had used Howard as a guardian over this home for the twelve years it remained empty after he remarried and moved out. Howard just couldn’t let it go. Judy said their family felt like they were saving the house for someone special. Others had tried to buy it but failed. Yet, when they met me, they felt like they had found that special person.

What promises and dreams have you been waiting on God to fulfill? He has not forgotten about you. God is listening and collecting all your heart’s desires whether it seems like it or not.  Though it may tarry wait for it. Then… when He is ready, He will bring them to reality as a precious gift of love.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. 

                       Ps. 34: 8