It was the summer of 1983. We were living in Indiana pastoring a church that was as legalistic as the day is long. I was dying and after 4 months told Jo we needed to get out of there. (It would be another year before that happened…all in God’s good timing). At the encouragement of some from the church, our family went camping at a family camp in Ohio.
First time camping.
Last time camping.
A storm came through the last day (Thursday) and soaked all our stuff. So we packed up the next day to head home when I looked at the gas gauge and it was 1/2 full. Doesn’t sound bad except we barely had enough money for a breakfast drive-thru for the kids and faced a 4-5 hour drive home. Poor planning on my part for sure. So I did the only thing I knew to do: I prayed. H.A.R.D. Miraculously we arrived home and the gas gauge HAD NOT MOVED. Trust me when I say that loaded down Chevy Citation wasn’t that good on gas! When we got home we knew we would need to buy groceries. I got paid Sunday. It was Friday. I went to the mailbox and there was a check for $75 from a friend who was a pastor at a church in Ohio. I had spoken at the church’s men’s breakfast in December and he just then realized I had not been paid. I didn’t expect to be. Remember: this is July. God came through!
How easy it is to forget God’s goodness. Sometimes we come to the end of our road and rope. We have nothing left. Our tank is empty. We are barely hanging on. For pastors and leaders they call it burnout. Some might use the words “I’m fried.” This COVID thing has put a lot of people on edge or on the edge of emotional turmoil. I’d like to draw your attention to the God who promises the impossible and does the incredible. Oops, now I’ve just gone and given you my two main thoughts for Sunday’s sermon. But you can still listen to see how they are fleshed out! 🙂
My sermon Sunday is from John 6:1-14, the feeding of the 5000. I’m calling it Supply for an Empty Tank. If you are unable to be there you can check it out on the church’s FB page or YouTube channel. If neither appeals to you (shame on you! LOL) then please say a prayer for me. I do appreciate those.
What a remarkable story and testimony, Bill! Yes, I do plan to listen to your sermon, though I might not do so “live.” I’ve missed our pastor’s message two weeks running!
Blessings and prayers!
God was good Martha. I am still overwhelmed when I tell that story. Thanks for listening when you can. And thanks for the prayers.
Great reminder. Thank you. The past months have left me clinging to reminders like these. God’s faithfulness, never-ending presence, unchanging love and unchanging relationship with me/us is the one “constant” I/we can depend on in this crazy time we live in. Even though I am single I crave relationship and struggle with “isolation” and over and over these past months I have come to realize even more that my “lifeline” literally is my relationship with my Father and Savior. Again, thank you for these reminders.