A Humbling Provision

Soon after I became a pastor, my family’s financial situation became strained, to put it mildly. Jocelyn and I were living in an eight-hundred-square-foot house and parenting three boys, ages
four, two, and four months. Jocelyn was a stay-at-home mom and could no longer contribute financially to the family. My beginning pastor’s salary only stretched so far. Having never been in financial need, we were in uncharted territory. We never knew how to ask for assistance and yet we found ourselves at a desperate point where we needed help. Reluctantly, we signed up with the Women, Infants, and Children public assistance program, which generously provided many of the necessities our little guys needed. I remember how humbling it was when we went through the grocery lines and saw people’s judgmental reactions as Jocelyn handed over the food vouchers. At one point, all I could do was cry. In retrospect however, once we got past our pride, we now recall those years as some of the best years of our lives. We realize now that it was an integral time of learning and of substantial spiritual growth for both of us. We’ve actually thanked God for allowing us to experience those circumstances. He is indeed Jehovah Jirah—our Provider.