'Your Paths Drip with Abundance'
Dear Friends -
I love watching the lives of young women who have barely started out on their life’s journey but are tackling the tough stuff of life with gusto, with integrity and with faith. Today, I have asked Danielle Stoltz to share with you what the Lord has been teaching her over the past few months. Her story is joyful although the journey has been challenging. I am watching Danielle’s life with grand anticipation of all that the Lord will do in her and through her as she continues to be a woman of remarkable faith. After reading her blog this week, I know that you will be inspired to a new level of faith and trust!
“You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.” (Psalm 65:11)
As our pastor shared His heart and vision for 2020 this past January, these words resonated with my husband and me: “Your paths drip with abundance.”
It was a stance of faith that we set for our family, our careers and our finances the first Sunday of the New Year, but I’ll be honest, it was difficult for me to fully grasp “abundance.” Our finances have always been fine. We have committed to tithing from the beginning of our marriage. We pay our bills on time. We are able to provide shelter, food and clothing for our three children, and I even get to enjoy a nice Target run every now and then. We have enough. I am fully aware and confident in God my Provider. But abundance?
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
In January, my husband received word that the store he managed was closing. Just weeks into our proclamation of Psalm 65:11, our faith was challenged.
We had about two weeks of uncertainty before the new opportunity presented itself. I was not happy about it. The new job was within the same company, same industry and meant relocation. I was adamant that this was not the right move for my husband’s career or for our family. I called my mom in tears.
“I do not want to move,” I said. “I’m comfortable. We have established a good life here!”
“I’m praying for God’s best for you all,” she responded.
After several days of pouting and pleading my case, I prayed. I sincerely asked God for His direction.
“Don’t let us go where you aren’t leading.”
This was a prayer I prayed almost daily. One afternoon, I sat talking with my husband about the opportunity. I can’t explain it, but I can tell you it was miraculous. I felt peace. I felt excited. I was ready! My husband accepted the new position and began commuting about 3.5 hours daily, while I mentally prepared for the process of selling our home and finding a new one in a new city.
Then COVID-19 hit. Just days after we had met with a realtor and began our punch list to put our home on the market, we got word that the company my husband was working for was temporarily closing nationwide. Two weeks later, my husband was furloughed. We applied for unemployment, but it would be weeks before we received anything due to a clerical error.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
There were two major decisions that we made during this time. The first was we decided not to freak out. God had never failed us, and He wasn’t about to start now. When doubt arose, we talked about times that God had come through miraculously for us in the past. The second was we began to give. We gave to our church. We gave to ministries. We left gifts on the doorsteps of our friends and neighbors. We paid for minor repairs for a few people, most of them anonymously.
During this time, we saw unexplainable abundance. I was approached by several unexpected clients and business opportunities. My husband received an annual bonus greater than what he originally anticipated. We were able to eliminate some lingering hospital bills and credit card debt. We gave more in the months of April and May with a limited income than we had in January and February.
Then we decided to do something crazy. We decided to go house hunting. In the midst of a pandemic, we started searching for our new home and prepared to relocate our family. Still unsure of when my husband would return to work or when we would receive any type of unemployment benefits, we took a bold step of faith and began moving forward with the plan God had placed in our hearts.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
We put money down for a new home and listed our house the following week. Our home sold in less than 48 hours with eight offers above asking. God has given us tremendous favor with our closing process, and just this week, my husband returned to work. We are stepping into this new season confident that God’s hand is leading us.
“Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23b
Looking back at the last few months, I can see a number of times when I wanted to give in to doubt, discouragement and distress. But I can also clearly see God’s hand in every moment. I see Him orchestrating and guiding and providing, even though we had no idea in the moment.
Someone recently told me, “I like the ‘mony’ part. It’s the ‘test’ part of the testimony that I don’t like.” But what if the test is a signal, a notification or an alert? What if the challenge is just an indication that God is preparing to show Himself strong on our behalf? What if the very thing that seems to be burdensome and overwhelming is how He shows His miraculous power, provision and healing?
I’ve been reminded through this all that even in the midst of a global pandemic, God’s Word is true and He takes care of His children. He is a good Father that uses words like “abundant,” “overflow” and “prosperity.”
May I remind you that the plans and dreams God placed in your heart for 2020 are not canceled! God still fully intends to give us a hope and a future! Take Him at His Word today and pursue His best!
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” - 3 John 2