This week’s Bible study topic is on worry and prayer. The Lord has answered (as He always does) a major prayer request in my own life that I would like to share. It may seem simple or not a big deal to some, but for me, it has been one of many huge boulders weighing heavily on my mind since the end of last semester.
I shared awhile back about all the scholarships I received this year for school. I am attending this last year of college free of charge- meaning my tuition, books, and childcare (both preschool tuition and babysitter charges) are covered for both semesters all by scholarship money. That alone was a huge blessing, and definitely unexpected, but much appreciated.
Beginning last April when I registered for my classes, I began searching for childcare for 2 afternoons per week during this upcoming semester. I used a sitter during the spring semester and wanted her to continue this fall. However, she had not made her school schedule and did not know her availability. I waited. And waited some more. I asked her again in June, and she still did not know her schedule. I began to pray about the situation. I had just been notified of the scholarship money, so I knew if the Lord was taking care of the financial aspect of my schooling, He would take care of all the details. But, I am a person who likes to plan, especially since I am having a baby early in the semester. I like to work out the details as much as possible. I kept praying, and asked her again at the end of June. Still not sure of her schedule. I asked another sitter that I use on occasion and she was not sure of her schedule. So now I have 2 possibilities but neither can commit to anything. I just kept praying, and when mid-July came, I reminded myself that the Lord was handling the situation. I had made it through 8 semesters already, and He would see me through these final 2.
Tuesday I called one of the girls. She had made her schedule, but because she, too, is taking 6 classes, she was not comfortable committing to babysitting on a weekly basis. She would prefer to babysit on school holidays (my college and the public school do not align on their days off) and breaks, and for date nights and such. I understand. My kids are a handful, and committing to 2 afternoons per week for 16 weeks is a huge undertaking. I am thankful that she was honest with me and felt comfortable enough to tell me the truth rather than not getting back to me. But, I really began to panic as I start back to school in less than 3 weeks. TJ and I have been praying like crazy for our childcare situation, and this morning I received confirmation that the sitter who kept the kids last semester is able and, more importantly, wants to continue to do so this semester. YEAH! Thank you, Lord!
Now all of the details have been worked out, and if the Lord would have answered this prayer back in April, or even June, I would have missed out on these past few months of fervent praying.
I feel so much weight lifted off my shoulders because of this answered prayer, but of course I still pray that Taco’s birth will be as smooth as Ta’s and T.G.’s in regards to getting back into my routine for school. I will be taking 6 classes this fall, the most I have taken at 1 time, and I am nervous how everything will fall into place. I know Taco will arrive when the Lord is ready, and not one minute before, but I just hope that while I’m in the hospital, I don’t get too behind in my classes. Thankfully TJ is great about having a laptop ready for me to use while I’m there, and as long as I have my books, I should be okay. I am just praying that Taco arrives earlier in the semester instead of closer to my due date only for my peace of mind, but again, it’s the Lord’s timing.
In October I have to begin praying about childcare for the spring semester as I will be doing full-time student teaching beginning in January. The younger kids will attend preschool 5 mornings per week, and hopefully I can find someone willing to watch them in the afternoons for a few hours (or perhaps 2 people to split the week). As I’ve done in the past, I am just taking it one semester at a time. The Lord will work out the details. . . and worrying about tomorrow only causes me to miss out on what's happening today.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
*I am thankful for the opportunity to approach the Throne of Grace and present my cares to my Lord whenever I desire.*
I shared awhile back about all the scholarships I received this year for school. I am attending this last year of college free of charge- meaning my tuition, books, and childcare (both preschool tuition and babysitter charges) are covered for both semesters all by scholarship money. That alone was a huge blessing, and definitely unexpected, but much appreciated.
Beginning last April when I registered for my classes, I began searching for childcare for 2 afternoons per week during this upcoming semester. I used a sitter during the spring semester and wanted her to continue this fall. However, she had not made her school schedule and did not know her availability. I waited. And waited some more. I asked her again in June, and she still did not know her schedule. I began to pray about the situation. I had just been notified of the scholarship money, so I knew if the Lord was taking care of the financial aspect of my schooling, He would take care of all the details. But, I am a person who likes to plan, especially since I am having a baby early in the semester. I like to work out the details as much as possible. I kept praying, and asked her again at the end of June. Still not sure of her schedule. I asked another sitter that I use on occasion and she was not sure of her schedule. So now I have 2 possibilities but neither can commit to anything. I just kept praying, and when mid-July came, I reminded myself that the Lord was handling the situation. I had made it through 8 semesters already, and He would see me through these final 2.
Tuesday I called one of the girls. She had made her schedule, but because she, too, is taking 6 classes, she was not comfortable committing to babysitting on a weekly basis. She would prefer to babysit on school holidays (my college and the public school do not align on their days off) and breaks, and for date nights and such. I understand. My kids are a handful, and committing to 2 afternoons per week for 16 weeks is a huge undertaking. I am thankful that she was honest with me and felt comfortable enough to tell me the truth rather than not getting back to me. But, I really began to panic as I start back to school in less than 3 weeks. TJ and I have been praying like crazy for our childcare situation, and this morning I received confirmation that the sitter who kept the kids last semester is able and, more importantly, wants to continue to do so this semester. YEAH! Thank you, Lord!
Now all of the details have been worked out, and if the Lord would have answered this prayer back in April, or even June, I would have missed out on these past few months of fervent praying.
I feel so much weight lifted off my shoulders because of this answered prayer, but of course I still pray that Taco’s birth will be as smooth as Ta’s and T.G.’s in regards to getting back into my routine for school. I will be taking 6 classes this fall, the most I have taken at 1 time, and I am nervous how everything will fall into place. I know Taco will arrive when the Lord is ready, and not one minute before, but I just hope that while I’m in the hospital, I don’t get too behind in my classes. Thankfully TJ is great about having a laptop ready for me to use while I’m there, and as long as I have my books, I should be okay. I am just praying that Taco arrives earlier in the semester instead of closer to my due date only for my peace of mind, but again, it’s the Lord’s timing.
In October I have to begin praying about childcare for the spring semester as I will be doing full-time student teaching beginning in January. The younger kids will attend preschool 5 mornings per week, and hopefully I can find someone willing to watch them in the afternoons for a few hours (or perhaps 2 people to split the week). As I’ve done in the past, I am just taking it one semester at a time. The Lord will work out the details. . . and worrying about tomorrow only causes me to miss out on what's happening today.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
*I am thankful for the opportunity to approach the Throne of Grace and present my cares to my Lord whenever I desire.*
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~Carole
http://beyondthejourney.wordpress.com