It can feel like God only provides every once in awhile. But that’s not true.

As I’ve been challenged to track what he does in my life, I’ve found God provides regularly. So I wanted to encourage you by sharing three big (and small) ways God provided for me in the last WEEK.

A week isn’t a long time. But that’s never stopped God (creation week, for example).

God warps space, time, and bank accounts for his glory all year long.

#1 Physically

I attended the Realm Makers writing conference and Expo last week. It was a huge stretch to go, but I’m so glad I did!

Realm Makers was physically hard for me at moments.

Cramming together in the backseat of RJ Catlin’s Highlander with Alli Prince in the passenger seat, and then Noah and Lucy on either side of me wasn’t the most comfortable six hours of my life.

(No offense to them–they’re amazing.)

At one point, it felt like my back muscles were burning. I didn’t want to ask to stop, even though the pain had started creeping up my spine.

I was praying about this. God had kind and gentle things to say, as always. But I hadn’t yet brought myself to actually ask if we could stop.

Out of the blue, Alli (who was driving) said, “We’re pulling over at this CVS.”

So I got out of the car and we walked around for about ten minutes. I felt so much better. It was a God-send.

More miraculously, God answered prayer.

After talking for three days straight, it hurt even to move my tongue on the drive home.

I tried drinking chamomile tea, not talking, and even stretching my tongue (yes, it’s exercise. Don’t judge me. XD)

I didn’t tell anyone about this except for my boyfriend. A few minutes after I texted him, I was stretching my tongue (workout goals, am I right?) and it suddenly felt so much better!

I texted my boyfriend again to ask if he’d prayed for me.

He had. 🙂 

Praise God for answered prayers and physical healing!

#2 Financially

Before we left for the Realm Makers conference, I sat down to crunch some numbers and realized I only had $10 to spend after paying my portion of gas for the drive.

That’s nowhere near enough money to pay for three days of food while on the road.

Before God even stepped in, I had one more shift at my restaurant job to work before we needed to leave.

But when I realized that finances might be tight, I wanted to seek God’s wisdom. I flipped to Philippians 4 in my Bible.

(Speaking of Phillipians 4, it’s an amazing chapter and I’ve been getting so much out of it lately.)

I wanted to reread the famous passage about being content in all circumstances. 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

-Philippian 4:12-13

One thing I noticed in the passage is that Paul says “whether well fed or hungry.” I’m not a theologian, so make of that what you will.

But here’s what I did: I prayed a new prayer.

I said, “God, you either need to provide money to buy food or you need to give me strength without food. Either way you get the glory.”

Quick caveat before I move on to how God provided: context is so important for studying scripture. I want to share a little of the context of this verse, specifically a later verse in the same passage.

(I…didn’t notice this verse until after we got back from the trip. So I want to share it with you!)

 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in
Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:19

So there’s that. (Don’t take scripture out of context, friends.)

But moving on to God’s provision… I made several twenty-dollar tips that night at work. 

And at the conference I got a job offer of sorts. I met the editor-in-chief of a publishing company and she asked if I wanted to work with them. 

This week, we’ve been emailing back and forth about it. 

I have more experience than most people who want to work in the industry (thanks to my school), and I’m excited that this training has opened up new doors for me.

Assuming all goes well, I’ll have steady work to step into after graduation! (And even if this job isn’t the one, I’m certain God will provide.)

I’d also like to share with those of you that have been around for awhile: Fantastical Summer was the top seller out of our catalogue! 

(I went to the conference with my publisher and we brought nine different books to sell.)

We sold waaaay more copies of Fantastical Summer than I expected. I also loved getting to know these readers and signing their copies!!

#3 Relationally

I met SO MANY amazing people at Realm Makers. 

The sheer number of Christian creatives doing amazing things is flabbergasting. They inspired me! I heard so many writers share their story ideas, along with video game, card game, and board game creators. 

And I had the absolute blessing of meeting a few online friends in person for the first time!! (Shoutout to Lori Ann Nelson and Amelie of Rivendell.)

I’ll share photos on my Facebook page and Instagram soon.

Your challenge: write it down every time God provides for you.

It doesn’t have to be big or flashy, but it’s eye-opening. Allow him to open your eyes to how much he provides!

---

Never heard of Fantastical Summer?

It’s the first of its kind: a Christian book with mermaids, werewolves, and magic portals.

Crafted as a beach read for the Christian girls, this book has found a home in the hearts of people young and old.

Dive into your own copy today!

---