God’s Goodness (Part 2)

 

Taste and See

God’s goodness in our family has become undeniable. In recent months we have stumbled upon how to access God’s garden of goodness to enjoy big, juicy, satisfying bites.

It all started when Travis suddenly decided to sell his F-J Cruiser before he had even decided what car he wanted to replace it with. My husband LOVES cars, so he is always thinking about what car he wants next … except this time. Night after night he searched online for the perfect car, while I felt trapped with the kids in the house in the middle of summer.

After sharing a car for a couple of weeks I told him I didn’t care if he bought a pinto, I just needed my car back. So we prayed … a crazy prayer, “… and Father, you could just give us a car. It is nothing for You.” The words flew out of my mouth before I could think about how undeserving we were.

Trav bought TWO cars.

Our third car was a great deal and he thought he could flip it and make some extra money. Again, this is normal for us. But as soon as Trav purchased it, God told him that he was going to give it away.

My husband was soon approached by a friend who asked him if he had any cars for sale. He needed a car, and God had just told him that Travis had a car for him. But how awkward is THAT to just go up to some guy and ask him to give you a car?  So he left that part out which would’ve been Trav’s cue.

Trav, forgetting what God had told him and meaning to be generous, told “Jack” that we had a car he could pick up after work for what we had into it.

As soon as “Jack” drove away, God said, “That’s the guy I want you to give the car to.” About that same time “Jack” called to say he wasn’t able to come over, since he couldn’t afford to buy a car.

As much as he didn’t want to spoil the surprise, Travis had to spill the beans to get him over with his family. Our kids were excited and began to bring out toys for our friends’ kids. We all prayed together and shared with each other the things that the Lord had shown us. Everyone was encouraged and saw God’s goodness in a tangible way.

That’s a pretty fun ending!  But it was immature of us to think this story was over.

The next day was back to business as usual, until God confronted my husband. “You’re not a very good farmer, “ He warned.

“A what, God?” thought my city boy with his spiked hair and Rock Revival,

fashionist-“O” lifestyle.

“You sow seeds and you don’t watch over them or believe Me for a harvest.”

We thought about all the seeds we had invested in God’s kingdom over the years our time, money, resources, and our gifts. What had we missed out on? What had others missed out on because we just gave with out watering our seed with prayer?

We both prayed over the car we had given (sown) believing that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Not only was this car going to be a vehicle of God’s goodness to our friends, but it was also our seed planted for the Kingdom, watered in prayer and we were watching for our harvest.

Meanwhile, we have a favorite ministry Sower of Seeds that we love to support. Among other things, they rescue women who have been trafficked. We bought two raffle tickets for a Jeep from them without the slightest hope of winning. We just wanted to give. You can imagine our surprise when we received the phone call that we were proud owners of a tricked out Jeep!!

There was NO question in our heart that our seed had produced a reward. And WOW!! Talk about a taste of His goodness!

The lesson we learned, we now apply to everything we give.  We don’t give to get. We do it because it’s fun and brings us joy. It’s not GIVING if we can’t do that. It’s an obligation.

Here’s another example of how giving, or sowing, works.  The other day I was in a position where I planned to bless my friend, but was a little taken aback when I got the bill. I knew I was still going to pay, but my heart wanted to hold onto the stress of the amount. Basically, I was moving towards obligation. I was going to do the “right” thing without the joy of blessing

My attitude quickly changed when the Lord reminded me of the farming principle. I paid the bill and prayed over the “seed” and asked God for a harvest, a reward.  Immediately the stress left me and joy took its place. It was joy wrapped up in anticipation for what God was going to do.

Life in God is super exciting! There are surprises at every turn.

A few days later, I am meeting my friend at the spa, before I could say a word, she paid my bill. She just wanted to bless me. It just so happens that the cost was about equal to the bill I had blessed my other friend with, only days before.

I assure you this is not manipulating God who, by the way, cannot be manipulated.  God has shown my husband and I how this is more about stewardship. God expects us to share His heart generously with others in many ways. We have gifts, resources, talents, encouragements and even the most offensive of all MONEY.  It all comes from Him and we get to steward it for Him.  He even lets us enjoy it for ourselves. But sometimes, He asks us to give it, and when He does, He wants to see His storehouse replenished. I think if we were to be honest, we would appreciate that as well.

I am asking you to take another chance. In Part I – The Other Good Fruit  I asked you to believe God for every gift He offers to us in the Bible. And now I want to encourage you to take the stewardship challenge. All that you have belongs to God. You are like His storehouse. When He asks you to distribute his resources, expect (be confident) that He desires to see a return for His investment. And He will replenish His storehouse if it is open to receive.

How would your giving be different if you saw it as farming?  The more land a farmer has, the more seed he plants and the greater the harvest. Does the farmer get to eat from his own land? Does he ever plant seeds without watching over it with his whole heart? Does he labor, preparing the ground and planting the seeds, without believing he will see a return?

The things we steward for God are our seeds. Each time we give, we are sowing seeds, and this is extending God’s kingdom. We water our seed when we pray over it. We agree with God that it will be a blessing to others, and that we would receive a blessing as well. Finally, we are to be watchful and expectant of God’s goodness, His reward being produced in our lives.  “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

I HOPE you will check back for Part III where I HOPE to encourage you with some more exciting testimonies and challenge you to get HOPEFUL in a God who promises to never disappoint us.