The Blessing of Brothers
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.Isaiah 55:8
Nathan saw it. Jared inspected it. And Jon financed it. Three brothers, all used of the Lord for their sister's good. God often works in mysterious ways, and it blesses this mother's heart!
For the past two years Katie has been driving around in what I term "clunkers." These are cars that are not exactly eye appealing, but have thankfully passed inspection, have all four wheels and an engine, and run. Considering that our house rules for licensed drivers include self payment of auto insurance, and the purchase and upkeep of their own vehicle, a clunker is understandable for Katie. As she now enters her third year of college, her finances are stretched pretty thin.
"I'm worried about how her car will hold up," my husband expressed, "For around town it may be all right, but when she needs to take courses at main campus, that's an hour's drive away." The worried look on her father's face, and the concern in his voice, made me anxious, too. As hard as my loving husband tries to upkeep the family vehicles, he cannot do the impossible. Old cars just keep getting older. And there comes a point when it is no longer cost effective for repairs.
"If we had the money, we'd give it to her," my husband and I discussed more than once, "But, then again, it wouldn't be fair to the three oldest, who worked hard to purchase their own vehicle. It also wouldn't teach her the value of a dollar."
We brought it before the Lord, and left it in His Hands. Then our daughter could also learn the power of prayer.
It was shortly afterwards that God did a mighty work. As thirteen-year old Nathan was riding in his brother's truck, he just-so-happened to spot a car for sale on the front lawn of a house. Bringing it to Jared's attention, they turned around, and checked it out.
"This would be just right for Katie," they said, and quickly called my husband. "The owner just put it out for sale this morning," Jared told his father, "And it's really nice!"
To make a long story short, Katie and her father went over that afternoon, and were so impressed, that it was agreed for Katie to buy the vehicle the next day. The owner, an older woman, was ecstatic! "I was praying for just the right person to buy my car," she said, as she hugged my daughter. "And God answered with a fellow believer." That was Tuesday and Wednesday.
The following Saturday, God further exhibited his Hand of Provision by repeating the miracle. No sooner did my husband clean and polish Katie's old car, and put it out for sale, than a buyer crossed our path. It was a man, who was looking for exactly that model car for his daughter, to be used as an around town vehicle for her to get back and forth to work. He offered cash on the spot. The selling price was 2/3 of the amount needed to repay the generous loan from the savings of Katie's younger brother, Jon.
Nathan's eyes, Jared's discernment, Jonathan's savings… The cooperation of all the family for the good of one member. God's provision for my daughter was through the loving concern of those closest to her – her brothers!
Prayer: Father, you are so generous in your provisions for my children! Thank you for always meeting their needs. Forgive me for worrying, and for attempting to solve problems on my own. Thank you for the bond that you create among siblings, when using Katie's own brothers in Your Plan.
