Enjoy Safe Pasture

I spent a good bit of time exchanging text messages with the mama, N,  who chose life Monday. Her circumstances were dire, and involved an abusive husband, and the rest of her family was homeless. I had been encouraging N with Bible verses and practical suggestions. She asked if I would send Bible verses to her mother, who was homeless, and depressed.

The situation was awful. The mother, who receives disability checks, would be able to afford an apartment, but couldn't cover the security deposit. She wanted to move her pregnant daughter into the apartment, safe from the abusive husband and she would then help care for the baby N had now unequivocally committed NOT to abort.

I was in a quandary. Cities4Life does not ever give cash to the mamas we help, though we meet these needs when we can by direct payment of bills. Housing is an issue with almost every mother we work with and it is impossible for us to provide help in that area with all the mothers we work with. Yet, in this instance, the overwhelming problem was housing...and it could be solved with a security deposit. I asked many questions to determine the scope of the situation.

N's mom would need $500 for the deposit. She was certain she could pay rent with her disability check and her daughter's income. She just needed a break, but it was hopeless, and she didn't know what to do.

I told N's mom not to get her hopes up, and I could make no promises. But I would pray about this, and contact our director. I spent the evening in prayer, wondering what to do. I did not publicize the need, since I had no idea whether it was one Cities4Life could, or even should meet.

The next morning, I was on a run and got a text. A friend wanted to donate to Cities4Life. She wanted to know what would be the best way to do so.

Her donation was $500.

Now, we are still discussing the issue, verifying the mom's ability to secure and continue to pay for the apartment, and determining if this is the best use of Cities4Life resources. However, it sure feels like God is in this, doesn't it?

In the interim, I got a text message with this picture:

This little guy was born in the morning to a mom I have been counseling and helping many months now. Cities4Life supporters have provided many needs for this mom, who had a host of impossible problems. Every one of them was miraculously overcome.

See, God is good. When we delight in the Lord, He does give us the desires of our heart. We may face terrible trials, and lose hope. But God is always there. Always. Don't give up. Enjoy safe pasture. He is there.
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Jeremiah 29:12-14 

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Matthew 7:7-8 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

1 Chronicles 16:11 

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!