5000 Reminders

With barely a month before my trip to Romania, I sat with coffee, Bible, journal and devotional books. And discouragement. 

As an advocate for hundreds of elderly and frail in Romania, part of my work with Elder Orphan Care is to raise awareness, resources and funds for their care. Donations tend to spike and sink, seemingly dependent on special projects, fundraisers and my speaking schedule. 

Recently I had a few ideas I thought would bring in a slew of donations, but they failed to do so. And although Pastor Viorel, my ministry partner who does the hard work 24/7 in Romania, never asks for money, the needs are hard to miss when I visit.

I had hoped to take a substantial financial gift for Pastor Viorel to assist him in providing shelter, food, and medical help for the precious souls in his care, but it looked as if I’d be going empty handed. Little did I know when I couldn’t shake the discouragement that had crept into my heart, God was smiling. Because He knew what was going to happen next. 

I sighed and picked up a favorite daily devotional. The Corrie Ten Boom quote at the top of the page quickly got my attention: “Do not ask ‘What can I do?’ but ‘What can God not do?’”

The correlating Scripture verse was Jeremiah 32:17. When I looked it up I knew God was speaking directly to me: “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” 

I wrote the quote and Scripture in my journal and read them slowly, again and again. Then I wrote “It really isn’t about me, is it, God? I’ve been striving in my own energy. How about if I get out of the way and let you decide when and how you will provide?” 

That seemed to get a “Good idea!” response in my spirit, so after reading my other devos and praying, I set out on my first appointment of the day. When I pulled in the parking lot I glanced at my phone and noticed a new email from my friend Andy. The subject line read “Anonymous”. That made me curious, so I took time to read the email. “Kim, There is a saint out there who sent in a cash donation requesting it be used to help the elderly. The note was NOT signed. $5000!” The email ended with this comment: “Smiling!” 

That’s one difference between Andy and me. I was SCREAMING, wildly shaking my head and pounding my fist on the steering wheel. What?! What?! I reread the email. Seriously! FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS? 

When I caught my breath I read the email one more time to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. That’s when I remembered the quote and Scripture I had written in my journal mere minutes earlier. Obviously God had perfectly orchestrated my morning devotions as a beautiful and powerful backdrop for this amazing scene to be played out. 

All my striving, all my ideas, my plans! And then God uses a wonderful, generous, anonymous donor to give me 5000 reminders that nothing is too difficult for Him. 

 “Has there not been, sometimes, this temptation to do a great deal for Christ, but not to live a great deal with Christ?” 

-Charles Spurgeon 

 “…we pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something." 

2 Thessalonians 1:11 MSG