God's Extravagant Grace

This will be the first in a series of stories about times God miraculously provided for my needs, and even my wants, before I ever met Jim. Some of them I hesitate to tell. Although they are clear examples of what a cool, clever, creative, and caring God we serve, sometimes the stories can stir up an unrighteous response in the hearers.

"Why doesn't God do miraculous things like that in my life?" you may ask. I have no answer except to say that I suspect God wants us to notice and be thankful for all the many less obvious things He does on our behalf on ordinary days in less spectacular ways.

My other thought is that the season these crazy events unfolded was when God alone knew the state of my heart, and understood how desperately I needed to experience His love and care for me, to see that my sin was forgiven, and most importantly that He delights in me for who I am, not for what I do. That's a lesson many people never learn in a lifetime.

During the shame and disgrace following my divorce at age 23 after a brief disastrous marriage, I clung to the Lord and His Word like never before. Wanting to worship without fear of people's condemning or pitying glances, I preferred to attend a huge charismatic church across town, totally unlike the baptist church of my childhood. The contemporary style of worship was a new experience for me as was going to church alone with thousands of strangers. It was an amazingly intimate time with Jesus.

During one service I was inspired to give all I had to the Lord. Confused, I pondered how little I actually owned that I might sacrifice. My life was His already, I was already in training to go as a missionary (provided they would have me under the circumstances), and the only money to my name was fifty cents in case of any emergency before my next pay check.

Thinking over these things, I was mindlessly twirling a necklace between my fingers when I heard an almost audible voice in my head, "Give up the gold chain." I remember the whole progression like it was yesterday. My first thought was equally strong. "But this is the only security I have left...." I'd always thought if I got desperate enough I might get $200 for it at a pawn shop.

Suddenly I saw the necklace for what it was - the last chain connecting me to my past, and a false security as well. Without further thought, I took it off. Throwing all pride aside, I walked to the front of the church and gave it to the pastor standing at the altar, explaining that it was an offering - this expensive 20-something carat gold necklace.

On my way back to where I was sitting, two different strangers gave me a "pentecostal handshake" each leaving in my palm a hundred dollar bill, saying simply, "God told me to give you this."

My unshakable faith, referenced in my 25 random things, has been a progression. Incident after crazy incident, God proved himself worthy of all my confidence. It's not "my faith" that is amazing, but Jesus Christ and His faithfulness. I wouldn't trade this journey for anything.

When people tell me they could "never" become missionaries because they couldn't bear to "live by faith" - looking to people and churches to support them financially month to month, I know they have not experienced the reality of God's extravagant grace and generosity. I pity them.