As I mentioned we went camping this weekend. We went with several of the families from our Mom’s group and had a wonderful time of relaxation and fellowship. However, this post is about what happened when we got home.
Nicholas’ first birthday was the day that we got home and I had done only minimal planning. (I had ordered a present and purchased a box of cake mix.) We usually try to do a bit more than that for our children’s first birthday, but I just couldn’t get everything done and Nicholas’ birthday was the thing that suffered.
We got home from our trip, were unloading the car and I was putting things away in the kitchen when I noticed something in the dining room. This is what I saw:
Birthday cake, balloons, banners, hats, plates, candy, presents, and more. A much nicer party than we normally would have done. In the refrigerator was a huge pot of soup for dinner. (Did I ever mention that our borrowed daughter, Suzanne, is an angel?) I called and thanked Suzanne for being so thoughtful. What I didn’t know at the time was that we had more angels helping with the party than we knew. I can not possibly express my gratitude enough. Nicholas would get to have his birthday party after all. But little did I know that there was more to come.
I have been composing a post about affording clothing for a large family and had been thinking about and meditating on many of the ways that God has provided for our family in that area. Then, on the car ride home from camping Mark and I were having a conversation about generosity and giving. We both agree that this is an area that we need to work on and we were discussing our attitudes on this topic, specifically what to do when you feel that you are being pushed into giving more than you are comfortable giving.
You remember my laundry closet, right? 
Yes, the one that I just decluttered. I didn’t mention it in my post, but I have been wishing for cabinets in this area. First because I really would like to have more storage space and also because the doors to this closet get left open all the time and it is in our family room. It is not very nice to be relaxing with the family and to look over and see all of the cleaning supplies glaring at me. (Perhaps they aren’t glaring, but sometimes it feels like it.)
Well, when I went to start some laundry, I opened the doors and saw this:
I couldn’t believe my eyes beautiful, custom built-in cabinets with DOORS! Exactly what I would have ordered. Perhaps I should now mention that we know more than one angel. Seth is a family friend who owns his own business painting, wood working and general handyman type stuff. He is skilled and honorable in his work (and obviously very generous as well). It was time to make another phone call.
This is one of those difficult posts to write because I am hoping to convey something that God has gradually been teaching us over the course of several months and as is usually the case, He has used many different lessons and examples and has brought many things to mind and caused us to see things in a new light. This was simply the latest lesson.
God gives to us so that we can give to others. So what should we do when we feel that we are being pushed or directly asked to give more than we are comfortable giving, more than we believe that we can or should give? We should give and glorify our Father who has given everything to us, even His own Son.
“(G)ive, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38
These labors of love that were given to us reminded us that God provides in ways that we would never even imagine. He has blessed us so that we may bless others in His name. He blesses us beyond all that we can imagine. As Malachi 3:10 says, He pours out blessings until they overflow, we will not be able to contain His blessing to us. That is what we saw and felt over the weekend, God’s amazing, bountiful blessing being poured out on us in the form of some material things, true but even more in the gift of friends who love us.
If you live in the area and need some quality woodwork or painting done I can recommend someone.
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Hi, I'm Kimberly. 
That is SO awesome! God is great, isn’t he! He works in ways we can not imagine, or even think of. We just have to trust in him. Happy Birthday Nicholas! Blessings!
–A
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This brought tears to my eyes. God is Great!
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I am so happy for your blessings! What super surprises!
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We have 4 children of our own but raised 8, 12 others living with us thru the years. I call them Bonus children, Love your cabinets, what a blessing! God is Good!
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I heard that the carpenter guy forgot hooks for you brooms and things. Maybe you should find some friends who are better at that kind of thing.
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Ahh…God is above & beyond good to us, is He not?! Cool.
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Very cool! God always provides… even for the things that may not be seemingly huge in the grand scheme of eternity. He knows our hearts and desires and longs to give them to us!
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