For almost 3 years I was going through a marriage break up. One of the outcomes of this was that it meant we had to sell our family home.
One Sunday Chris ( the senior pastor at the time) spoke and shared his God inspired dream, about Thrive having its own family home – a building of its own. During that message he shared a you tube clip of a man dancing at a festival, the man was the only one shamelessly dancing by himself for some time. He was completely enjoying himself, it didn’t take long for another person to join him, and then before long almost everyone at the festival was dancing!
Chris used this to illustrate the concept of the power of a vision and the importance of having a first follower, someone who has the courage and passion to partner and agree with a leader’s vision. After the service Glen and Chris formed a prayer tunnel and invited people who had felt impacted by the message to come through. I stepped out of my seat and into the isle, as I approached Chris and Glen I asked myself ” but what do I have to give?’ The second I stepped under Chris and Glens arms the voice came ” You can give the money that is left over from the sale of your house” My house was on the market at the time.
I instantly wanted to agree and partner with that voice, and felt something plant in my spirit. The process of selling my home and settling finances was a long painful one. I kept giving my pain and worry over to god and declaring his perfect will over my circumstance. I had great support from my friends, well spiritual family here at church, I knew they were carrying me in prayer when I could not. My heart remained hopeful that God would be victorious in this situation, even during my darkest days. It was uncertain the amount of money that I would receive as there were lots of variable factors in the negotiation process, but the number 45 kept coming to me…
At last the time came…the money was in my account. There were specific things that I felt God ask me to keep money back for, or bills to pay out of the money I got. After I had worked all this out, the sum remaining was $45,000. This was the amount God wanted me to give. I was so excited, and nervous all at the same time
At the time I realised that leading up to this point God had been preparing me, and placing promises and truths in my heart. On the outside what I was doing looked crazy…a solo mum giving all her money away, with two children, and not a lot of money. The world would say that I needed every penny I could get as a security for me and my children, and that to be a good Mum I would need a house to fill with things. But God had been doing other things in my heart, he had been teaching me that I do not need to store my riches here on earth, but instead invest my treasures in the beautiful kingdom of heaven. God also reassured me that he is my security and provider, and he alone can abundantly meet the needs of me and my children.
So when that day came, I as well as feeling excited and nervous, I also felt proud to be a daughter of the King that could make a statement to the world, my statement said ” I am thank full to be your daughter, and I am privileged to partner with you in your great works for you are the maker and giver of all things good”.
It is amazing, I had sacrificed the possibility and my desire of being able to own my own home by giving the money to Thrive, and in my heart I was at total peace with that. A year or so later my mum called me out of the blue to tell me about a house that was for sale, and she thought we should go for a look through. I wasn’t sure how to feel about the idea, but went for a look anyway…that house is now my home, I was able to make up a deposit with the money that God asked me to hold back. There have been many blessing along the way in that home, and I know there will be many more to come. The thing is, God doesn’t make mistakes, he knows exactly what he is doing, we can trust him completely.
If I may, I would love to encourage you to partner with our crazy, wild extravagant, fun and loving father, ask him the question what do I have to give? and dare to wait for his reply, he will never leave or forsake you, but love you, protect you and provide for you!