Prodigal:  That was some good ice cream!

Me: I agree!  I actually have a story about ice cream.

Prodigal:  Lets hear it then.

 

This is from the book Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore

 

God is always teaching me about trusting Him to provide.  I often learn through my friend, and Indian woman who lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  She has five children and makes a meager living.  Her husband is in jail in Dubai.  Her faith is simple yet remarkable.  She trusts in God to provide everything–and I do mean everything.

In the Congo, the sidewalks roll up around 6 p.m., and everyone just stays at home.  It’s during this time that my friend prays and teachers her children about God’s power to provide.  One night, she shared that her stomach ulcer was painful.  She also mentioned that ice cream might help settle it down.  But the family didn’t have money to buy ice cream–if the stores had even been open.  Besides, finding ice cream in the store is a challenge!

One of her kids asked what he could do.  My friend replied, “Let’s pray for my stomach and pray that God would provide for my need.”

Her 6-year-old prayed earnestly for ice cream.  Ten minutes later, the phone rang.  A neighbor called to say he had leftover ice cream from a party and wanted to know if they could use it.

My friend sang the “Hallelujah Chorus” and told her neighbor, who was not a Christian, that the ice cream was a direct answer to prayer.  On the phone, she told the story of how God provides for her family–even for the simple things like ice cream.

Debbie, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa

 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Each time he said, No.  But I am with you; that is all you need.  My power shows up best in weak people.  Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am;  I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org