Abundance

Let’s Go Down A Few Rabbit Trails!

I remember a long time ago when my husband and I were in great need, financial need. He was driving 18-wheelers cross-country and had a bad accident, which rendered him home for many months. I was not working outside the home at the time – I was running our fly fishing shop and online business. We had many friends who helped us. I’d open the mail and there would be a check. I made this statement, “If we are ever in a position to help others, we are going to be generous givers.”

I heard a message on the radio about giving. The teacher shared that the word “tithe” could not be found in the New Testament and a NT principle was to “give from your abundance.” (Ref: 2 Corinthians 8.14) And, because we live this side of the Cross, all is grace – ALL, even our giving.

In the early years of the 21st Century I worked (I still do in fact) with a young man who had a gift of giving. I shared with him that I had not been blessed with a gift for giving. He said he’d pray for me.

My Eyes Were Opened

I cannot remember the year (maybe late 90’s) but my husband and I were driving to a bus station for him to board a bus for Mississippi – he was going back to driving big rigs. Charles Stanley was on the radio and he was teaching about giving. He stated “all the things.” I looked at hubs and said, “That’s it from this day forward we are tithing on every dime we earn.”

I’ve often said I went to the school of Joyce Meyer Practical Theology in the 90’s. Everything she said, I ate up. I grew exponentially as a faithful believer. One of the things she emphasized was on giving. She said, over and over, “You just keep giving. Out of your lack. Out of your abundance. Sacrificially. You just keep on doing it because sooner or later there will be a harvest of reaping.”

I Became a Happy Giver

The more I gave? The more I wanted to give. My husband would actually say to me, “Don’t give away the store!” I realized that was just about impossible to do.

One Word 2018

In the fall of 2017 I wrote REAP on our kitchen chalkboard.

January 2018 came and the Lord was insistent I keep REAP on the chalkboard and declare it as my one word for the year.

Still giving. Still believing for God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will for our lives, we put our home of 30 years up for sale. We signed a contract and closed on a full-price offer within 45 days.

One Word 2019

The year opened and I was certain my new one word was GRACE. But, just as soon as I thought that? Bam, He changed it to FAVOR. I write more about that here.

And, oh what a year of favor it was! Our five-week road trip to Alaska in Gracee. Our tiny house purchase and our relocation to Greer, SC.

We had a bit of a scare in October when hubs had a trip to the ER and an ultrasound revealed a blood clot – we prayed and we went forward with alternative treatment. Today, he is fine and the leg is fully functional and seems healthy. We consider knowledge and healing as God’s great favor.

Here We Are in 2020

When I was in my 40’s, 2020 seemed a century away but here we are. I will turn 70 in October and my husband’s birthday falls on: 02.20.2020. That has to mean something super special, eh?

No, a one word did not visit me in a dream or a vision but one day my sister, Peggy, told me to read Isaiah 55 – she said, “It is a word for 2020.” I immediately read it and when I did, Holy Spirit sweetly insisted on the word ABUNDANCE. This one word has nothing to do with financial abundance – but spiritual abundance – the Lord is going to show us His glory, I feel very strongly about that.

We live tiny and have down-sized to the point of ‘only what we need,’ and yet God’s Spirit drops the word abundance on my lap. Rather ironic, wouldn’t you say?

Abundance

We have found a church we feel is a perfect fit for this season in our lives. It is a huge church – corporate worship (probably) means 2,000 voices raising a hallelujah! The pastor has incredible messages – he is a preacher, a real preacher, and I am taking lots of notes again. The gifts of Holy Spirit freely flow in the services – something that stirs my soul and spirit in abundance!

Yesterday morning, I turned on the Elevation channel on our Roku and I listened to Steven Furtick’s January 5th message. It was excellent and the quote on the above graphic comes from the sermon. Stewardship. Am I a good steward of all that God has blessed me with? I pray so and it is my heart’s desire to be.

I am believing for an abundance of answered prayers this year… An unbelieving loved one to fall madly in love with Jesus. A couple of family members to run back to Father and into His abundantly merciful arms. Several friends to experience abundant healing in their bodies.

It will be a year of watching for abundance. I am excited and anticipatory of the goodness of God.

He is my abundant Source.

He is my main-stay.

He is my constant companion.

The Great Three are my Best Friends.

How can this year not produce abundance?

If you like what you read here on Hope Heart Home? You’ll love my email letter each Wednesday, it’s like a letter from home. Things you’ll never read here on the blog and we always share a cuppa and sit a spell. If you’d like to join me? Just do the thing below, follow-through with the confirmation email, and just like that, I’ll land in your inbox on Wednesday mornings!