God is speaking, but are we listening?

God spoke to me this week. No, I didn't hear audible words from heaven, but I heard from Him nonetheless. Through our circumstances, through the hearts of others, through the unusual message from my wife, through the unnatural actions of others, and through the peace of my own heart, God clearly spoke a message to me.

You see, I'm putting a budget together for next year, and it looked like we would have to make some painful cuts in order to make things work out. However, when we looked at these changes from a practical standpoint, most of our management team was not "at peace" with the decisions that would have to be made.

However my wife, who is normally very practical and supports me in making the tough decisions, was on board with the proposed cuts until Sunday. At church on Sunday, she was singing a hymn when, out of nowhere, a thought unexpectedly came to her that God would provide all that was needed and the dreaded cuts would not be necessary, and this would soon become apparent. The next day at lunch, she shared this unusual thought with me.

Then on Wednesday, I was meeting with my Associate Director, Vince, when Becky came by to show me a single envelope we received with multiple gifts totaling $7,000. That was amazing! By faith, I understood this to be the confirmation Becky said she believed would be coming.

Although, the $7,000 won't cover the entire savings that would be realized if these cuts were made, I believe it was a "down payment" of what God will do, and I believe He wants us to continue to "live by faith and not by sight." I praise Him today for His amazing faithfulness.