Pain to Praise

For 25 years Lynn had watched Joe struggle with anger and frustration; his spiritual, mental and physical health declining with each passing year. Lynn found herself living with a constant knot in her stomach wondering what Joe's mood would be each evening as he returned from work. Would he blow up? She could see his job was killing him. She longed to see once again the happy, funny man she had married. Lynn knew that the only hope was the Lord, so everyday found her crying out to God.
When Joe decided they needed to pick up and move, even though he didn't really know what they were heading tino, Lynn was more than willing to go. Whatever it took to have her husband back. She put her trust in God, and off they went.
There were anxious and lean times during the years after their move across country since Joe didn't have a regular paying job. They had already gone through most of their savings and retirement, existing primarily on Lynn's part-time job. But for Lynn, the price was a small one to pay compared to what they had gained as a couple. She had her Joe back. He was once again laughing and joking, and his faith in God had returned and grown strong. The knot in her stomach had also disappeared. Lynn thanked God daily that He had answered her prayers.
A few years after they had moved, they received $10,000 from an unexpected sale. Praise God! There would be enough to live on and for Christmas. (Their family had increased in size since their move.) Around the same time, their church had begun a building program asking for support pledges. Joe and Lynn wanted to participate, so they both prayed about what to pledge. Lynn felt God had told her they were to pledge the entire $10,000 that had come in. God had told Joe a completely different amount, a monthly pledge of $200. When both told the other the amount God impressed on them, they decided to "go big or go home" and pledged BOTH amounts. Neither Joe nor Lynn felt any fear or hesitation because God had proven Himself as a faithful and loving provider many times before. The next Sunday found them joyfully giving their $10,000, both excited to see how God would provide. They didn't have to wait long. The very next day, a family member who had no idea of what Joe and Lynn had just done came over and handed them their Christmas gift - a check for $10,000! After they picked themselves up off the floor, they Praised the Lord as once again, He had shown himself faithful and in a way they would never have guessed.

Ps. 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Ps. 117:2 - For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD [endureth] for ever. Praise ye the LORD.