Beautiful Inconveniences and God’s Provision

Alright, this morning- this random Saturday morning I had my plan for the day- run, study, eat, study, get ahead etc. But on the way back on my run, I needed to get gas from Costco and then as I was turning into the driveway, a car was scooting up and I decided to turn a little earlier so I don’t hit them and then BANG. My car wen literally through a curb, okay more like over it eventually, but my tire tread was shot right through (so basically through the curb). But anyways, this was actually during the time I was thinking to myself, I can just push off my tire payments and replacements so I can have more money for now. Context if you dont read the other blogs, I am basically really tight on money and may not have enough for the last month or so prior to residency starting. And my mind and heart have been a ball of anxiety because I have been applying to so many jobs and it’s been hard to hear back especially if I am only going to work from Nov - March and my skill sets really are PT related and the last generic job I had was in 2020.

SO, I have not been handling all of the above well if I'm honest and I have realized how much I love being financially stable and not in need. Or in other words, I love relying on God when it’s not tangible like money. I can rely on God for other things, but money- yeah don’t touch that and you can read why in another blog (all these baggage). But back on track, I have been TIRED (GET IT?!) of how life has been until this point and I have not done a great job managing my stress/ anxiety/ worry and trusting God, anyways, so my tire goes flat.

Thank the lord for AAA right? Call them and I’m waiting for like 25 mins and then this random man in a Tesla comes up and is like Hi I’m Ric Moore (https://www.ricmooregolf.com/ ). And right away I notice an NBC symbol and a golf shirt on and I’m like OH are you a golfer? He answers, yes I am a professional golfer and then I just make a joke if he needs physical therapy that he should come to me. Anyways we talk a bit and he finishes the job in like 20 mins and then he is like you should fill the tire up with air a little. So I go across the street and do it. But apparently I didn’t know how do it right because as I got home my tire is flat flat, like doubly flat! I tried to put air in it again, but my machine wasn’t working. Then for some odd reason, my neighbor just openly gives me her spare and told me to give it back when I'm done. At this point I’m like, how inconvenient that I need to change it AGAIN. NO I am going to Arco down the street to go fill the tire with air and at this point I am praying and praying that God would allow the tire to last a little longer because I am literally driving on the rim of the tire. I tried filling it but didn’t have any quarters, then the store manager was nice enough to just let me use it for free. But the spare is not fillable and I was like okay, I need to change this tire and apply the things I learned 45 minutes ago. I tried and I was doing it wrong- I might have wrecked part of door in the process, but nothing serious and I’m okay with it. But then this man comes up and was like, hey do you need help? And he’s a skater dude and looks a little homeless but I wasn’t going to make any assumptions nor was I was going to deny help at this point.

And so he started asking me for the same tools the golf man asked me (his name is Joe). And he started changing my tire. As he was doing that I started asking him questions and he was like yeah I am a trained technician and I have been on the streets for a while. I feel like life sucks and I have given up. And I was like okay, what do you mean by that? He was like I made decisions that ruined my life and other peoples life and I just lost my mom and she was my best friend. And I was like aw man, and then he went to tell me about how his daughter is 19 and going to college and his 12 yo daughter has been liking punk music. He told me about how his favorite food is life cereal and milk. And I was just trying to ask him if he needs anything else etc. He mentioned he has a job interview and I was like okay noted. A part of me wants to get him socks like he asked for and the cereal but I think I also want to get him a pollo for the interview? Something like that. I know some people would be like why? But yeah anyways, after he finished I bought him the snacks he wanted, he only got one thing but I asked him to get at least 3. Then after I just asked him about his beliefs in God and if I could pray for him and I did. And I think that’s when God really reminded me of a few verses.

1. 2 Corinthians that I read in my journey of generosity seminar:

“9 As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”

If I give from a place that is a cheerful giver, God promises to supply abundantly and so even though I dont have everything I will need in the last 2 months to residency, I have enough for today and have enough to give to this guy even though it’s not much. In other words, when I feel led to give I can trust that if I give freely for the sake of his glory and his kingdom, He promises to supply abundantly! I don't have to hold onto everything I think I need for the future.

2. I think God is reminding me that He is the one that provides everything I need and that even in this short time of today, I mean it is only 11:30am, that he is demonstrating a Jehovah Jireh kind of moment. Like each step of this has been met with someone or something that I needed and in that place I can have peace. Like I really can’t nor should I worry about tomorrow or the next 4 months because God is clearly giving me everything I need from the most random people that helped me change a tire twice, like come one- how insane is that. SO how much more can I bank on God to pull through for the next 4 months. I think God is really testing my self-reliance and trust in him and I really hope that this day will be a moment that marks of a greater trust in him.

3. Lastly this reminds of the funny and ironic theme in the past 3 years. Every time I go through trial, it is always always met with a car issue. The last time, when I moved from my parents place, I got into a car accident ( my fault). When my grandparents passed away, I got into another accident (also my fault). Now this time I have been stressed and anxious about the future in a very clear way, and I think running through a curb (also kinda of my fault) has taught me to slow down and see God’s provision and even what it means to seek his kingdom in the midst of inconveniences.

I realize I need God more than I want to admit and I more needy than I would ever like to show. But praise to my God who will humble me in a way that is firm, but also consistently providing so that I can see that He is truly the one that supplies all my needs in good seasons and trying seasons.

Note: I ended up being able to share a meal with him and get to know him even more and it was such a blessed time just to sit and get to hear his stories, what he loves doing, what he's learned so far etc. And although it took more money, time, energy etc. I think the Spirit was working and showed me the beauty of freedom and living with trusting that God will provide. And ACTUALLY God used someone from church to show me this. This morning (Sunday), she and her family gave me some money for the tires and more! And I was mind blown, but I think that's the beauty of simple obedience and how God uses His church and allows his word truly comes alive. I couldn’t see the money in my hand in this very second, when I was spending it on my tires or Joe for very simple necessities, BUT God! But God used someone from church to show me that yes God will enrich you in every way so that you can be generous in every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving. I am humbled and praise Jesus to show me that he can supply not just my spiritual, but my tangible needs like finances.