Oceans in the Desert

Diving Into The Ocean of His Love

GOD PROVIDES!

By Kathi Pelton

I want to encourage anyone that is stepping out in faith through our latest testimony.

Last May the Lord spoke and confirmed to my husband and I that after twelve years away from our extended family and our hometown that he was calling us to return.

To give some context to the reasons for us to have ever been praying into this was because my husband’s 91 year old Dad is no longer able to live alone safely and we felt that God was asking us to go and care for him. Sometimes we limit service to the Lord as what looks like serving within the church or outreach to the lost— but serving our families and those who cared for us in our childhood is very important and precious to the Lord. We will continue to minister within the church and outside the church but I sure love the Lord’s heart for those who have given their lives for their families and who in their old age need their kids to care for them.

For us this meant leaving the church that we served in as part of the senior leadership for many years. It meant leaving precious friends, our son and his wife, and leaving our beautiful state, home and community that we had grown to love. But it also meant going home to the place where we raised our children and where our extended family lives.

But— that place is in California! California is a beautiful state— offering everything you can imagine in just one state— mountains, hills, desert, prairies, forests lakes, rivers, the ocean, beaches, etc. Yet all of this beauty comes at an enormous cost. Housing is more than double, gas is double, utilities are double, insurance is outrageous, even food costs are higher— everything cost so much more!

As I was praying in my devotional time this past June the Lord took me to the Book of Nehemiah where he asks the king about returning to Judah to rebuild the gates and walls of the city. The king responds with not only a yes but a promise to provide all that is needed for the work ahead. He then spoke to me that he would provide ALL that was needed to make the move back to California— where the walls and gates need to be rebuilt.

It was a big promise with a big price tag attached to it. So we began making arrangements— in faith that he was going to provide. Our youngest daughter and her husband (and their daughter) felt the Lord leading them to return with us. It felt a bit like a Naomi and Ruth scenario for them— so now we needed double provision that included housing and jobs for them.

I will not prolong this story with every detail but we made the move back to California on September 5th. Not only did the Lord provide for every penny (dollar) needed to make the move for both families but he went above and beyond what we could have hoped or imagined in providing housing, jobs and all the finances needed. Nothing was left undone or without provision!

We began with a simple word to go— followed by a promise of provision— and we can now testify that God fully came through!

If you are stepping out in faith with a word from the Lord then you do not need to worry or fret but begin to take the steps needed in faith that what he said he will do. Then watch what God does for you!

We give him ALL the praise, honor, glory and thanks for his kindness and mercy toward our family once again.

He is a promise keeper!