Can I Trust God with My Finances?

"Look, Mom!" I looked down to where my son Jake was pointing, and got as excited as he. Scooping up the folded $20 bill he'd discovered, I prayed silently, "Thank you, Lord! You know how much I needed this blessing."

It had been a miserable morning, as is often the case when expectations and reality clash. Expectation: a fun outing with the kids and Grandma to see the visiting tall ships docked an hour away. Reality: unbearably hot weather, a long walk from a distant parking space, an unforeseen ticket price increase, and exhibits that were rather dull when merely bobbing at a dock. And as for the pirate re-enactment...well, I'd seen my children perform more authentic sword-fighting duels.

Three of my hot, thirsty, whining children were now sitting in the air-conditioned van with Grandma while my two heartiest mates and I were on a quick tour of a few ships to try to redeem the day. How exciting it was, then, to find this treasure!

Lacking a natural pirate mentality, I had a conscience to tend; I couldn't just pocket the money and walk away. "We'll have to check with an employee to see if anyone lost this," I explained to Jake, age nine. I was certain this was merely a formality; I doubted anyone had reported it missing and we'd be told to keep the cash.

We found an employee below deck and quietly showed him what we found.

"I'm always dropping money!" he bellowed as he snatched the treasure right out of my hand. "Away wi' ye!" Okay, maybe he didn't say the latter, but he did take the money in a very pirate-like manner, without so much as a thank you. I was stunned.

As we walked off the ship, I looked at my son Jake. He was unruffled. Though he'd been excited about finding the money, he seemed completely unfazed by its subsequent loss. And here I was, the supposed more mature Christian, wrestling with God.

Angry and frustrated, I thought, "Lord, I had the money right in my hand! You know I needed it! If only I didn't have a tender conscience, I would still have it! I did the right thing; why don't I feel good about it? Why couldn't I keep that money, Lord? You know I could really use it!"

I knew I needed to release the entire situation to God. I let go of it by praying, "Okay, Lord. I did the right thing; I turned the money in. You know how much I needed it. I want it back, and I want it doubled."

When God tells us we're to come boldly before his throne (Hebrews 4:16, KJV), I'm not sure he means with demands! Fortunately for me, he says in the same scripture that his throne is the place we find grace and mercy to help in time of need.

And I certainly had needs. Financial and otherwise (such as in the attitude department).

Within a week, I was handed an envelope at church with a check inside. I was unexpectedly reimbursed for something I thought I had to pay for personally. The amount of the check: $40. Doubled, a still, small voice reminded me.

Grace and mercy to help in time of need.

The very next day, I was informed that some writing I'd done was accepted for publication. The payment: $200. Multiplied ten times. More than you could ask or imagine.

I laughed out loud through my tears. I was so grateful...and so humbled. God is faithful, even when I'm in a snit. He didn't owe me; he didn't have to prove anything to me. Still, he chose to meet me where I was, not only in my financial need, but also in my heart.

God is my Provider. I can trust him. He's proven it time and again, yet sometimes I still wrestle with his methods and timing. It's at those moments when I'm not only reminded of his provision, but also of my son's quiet trust in the process.

What more of a treasure could I want?