God answers prayers – not just sometimes, but faithfully and with unbounded grace. I have been asking for guidance – the ‘what’s next’ – for Hilarious Givers. Discouragement and disappointment had come to the fore. Obstacles seemed to spring up in my path despite my best efforts – and sometimes even because of my best efforts. My plans were just not working. I resolved to sit with my helpmeet, my most faithful supporter on earth, my beautiful wife, and discuss the facts. The facts were that no matter what the depth of our devotion to the mission, we simply could not go forward without financial support. And it was becoming clear that needed resources were just not going to be forthcoming. Oh, there were some encouraging signs on the horizon, but without ‘here and now’ support we just couldn’t get the job done. So, I resolved that on Saturday I would make some time to discuss with Debra the facts: We need to stand down for a few months until I can figure a way to find time to raise money.
Then came a telephone call. An anonymous donor had made a substantial gift. Completely unsolicited, absolutely unexpected, and large enough to meet the immediate needs of the mission. It was like lighting a candle in a dark room.
So. I had not explicitly been praying for money, nor had I embarked on a campaign to raise funds for Hilarious Givers. Instead, I had fervently been praying for some guidance, some direction, some way to be able to meet God’s direction to share his Good News by sharing our abundance.
God knows our prayers before they reach our lips. I don’t know why I continue to be surprised – I suppose it’s a matter of my lack of faith. We continue in His work by His grace.
To our anonymous donor: Thank you. To God: Please forgive my doubting mind, reach my skeptical heart, and accept my deepest thanks for your grace. And please, God, cause our nameless benefactor to rejoice in the absolute joy that comes from giving to the least among us.
