Broke and Blessed

Gracious Heavenly Father, I come to you not only on behalf of myself but others across the world. I know that just like me you us with a purpose and a plan. Sometimes it’s unclear, yet other times purpose is looking us right in the face. Help us to not be fearful in following our dreams. Show us your will through your Spirit. Remind us that You've strategically placed in our minds, heart, and spirits our purpose and calling. We understand that you have already equipped us with everything we need to be successful. Help us not to give up and not be distracted. In Jesus name I pray. Amen One beautiful Sunday as me and my girls were getting dressed for church, I was in deep thought about my financial situation. I woke up with an overwhelming desire to tithe this Sunday. If I'm being honest, this doesn’t happen very often. I checked my bank account and it said “Baby you is BROKE!” Some may not know what I’m talking about when you working two jobs, have two kids, and all the bills to pay; once the bills are paid the kids are taking care of and you have barely anything left. Yea that would be me most weeks.

Regardless of the struggle I was facing, my mindset was different on this day. I was determined to tithe. I heard someone say “What the enemy can’t destroy he will distract”! He couldn’t destroy my mindset so he started distracting me with the thing that troubled me most which is my financial situation. This may also happen to you as well. When you are getting close to a blessing the enemy will distract you with health issues, family issues, work issues, and so on. Anything to get you off focus from reaching that goal and reaping the benefits.

Now, this was a struggle all the way to the bank. I passed by one ATM. Started to rethink my decision. Passed another one and completely said “Not this week Lord.” Finally pulled up at one closest to my church and just took $20.00 out. The whole way to church I’m praying and crying asking God to help me. I know I couldn’t even afford to let $20.00 go but I had faith that God would see me through. I trusted Him. Have you ever heard the message that what you tithe God will give it back plus more? My family drilled it into my head as a child. So, I stepped out on faith and gave the Lord a small portion of what I owed Him. When church was over I was given a check for $200.00. I was reminded of the scripture Deuteronomy 16:17 that states “All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God”. Tears started streaming down my face and all I could do was thank God. He put the desire in my heart to tithe because He knew the reward would be greater.

I chose to tell this story because it made me think about my goals in life that I push away. The risk that I’m not taking and the rewards that I’m lacking. You may have a burning desire and all you need to do is commit. Whether it’s finishing your degree, starting your own business, making that big move out of state, writing a children’s book, or even applying for a job.

Whatever you feel purposed to do. Do it! God didn’t give us the spirit of fear. If he placed a purpose inside of all of us, understand he will be the very one to bring it out from the fire burning within to existent. All you have to do is have faith. I could have easily been disobedient and saved my $20 dollars, but I would have not received the reward that was waiting for me. This experience opened my eyes to the many opportunities that I could be exposed to if I stop being afraid and distracted.

I encourage you all to listen to that voice in your heart that won’t seem to go away. Follow that gut feeling. Understand that your finances may look a little funny, and the goal may seem unreachable, however you are fully equipped with everything you need.

“Faith without works is dead” James 2:14