Thursday, December 24, 2009

To Encourage the Downcast Housewife

LOC: Praying at the First Wesleyan Methodist Church, Washington, D.C., 1943.

 

It is dark outside, but cozy and warm in our house. Everyone is home and they are quiet. I have had such a blessed day. I want to encourage all of you who are suffering right now.

One day last week, I took my selfish 'self' to the supermarket. I only had enough money to buy one item. I looked around a little and had tears in my eyes because I could not buy anything else. There were so many things I wanted - frozen pizza, cookies, crackers, fruit, juice. But I didn't have any money so I began to cry. I had to straighten myself up and hold my head up and get out of there.

I have enough. I am okay. But it was hard to go without those little extras, those treats that make life more pleasant.

Then a few nights went by and a package arrived. It was a food box from our church. (How did they know?) I was praising God and so grateful that He answers our prayers.

This morning was very hard. Because of the Christmas holiday, Mr. White was supposed to get his paycheck a day early. But it didn't arrive on time. It is Thursday and the banks were closing at 1 p.m. They would not re-open until Monday. So even if he did get his check later, we would have no money until Monday. That was not okay. We were running out of food.

(The other day, my son asked me if we had any hot chocolate. I smiled and laughed and tried to make him happy. I said, "only rich people have hot chocolate. But we have plenty of Lipton tea." We made a joke about it. It was a treat and we just didn't have the money for it.)

Everyday I have been sending someone to the post office, hoping and praying there would miraculously be a check from somewhere so we could buy some extra food. But nothing came. I kept praying and trusting God. I knew he would provide, somehow.

This morning, Mr. White had fallen asleep. He was exhausted and in pain. He was not able to get his paycheck. Well, I had to take one of the children to an eye appointment. I had $10 to put in the gas tank and $8 to buy milk and bread. I got home and realized I was going to have to take some of our mortgage money out of the bank to buy groceries to get by until Monday. But just one last time, I asked my son to check the mail. He came back with a stack of things. In that pile, was a little card with a return address, but no name. I opened up the card and there was money inside. The note simply said, "Blessings from a friend." Tears welled up in my eyes. I gathered the children around and thanked God!!!!!

We went grocery shopping. I was smiling, content and happy as I selected our food. I bought milk and meat and bread. I bought cheese and ingredients to make a couple of our favorite suppers. I even bought some hot chocolate. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that person, whoever it was that has blessed us so very much. I cannot thank you enough, but I pray that God gives you back "ten-fold."

Tonight, there is food in our house and we are greatly blessed. Things are getting better. Our crisis is only temporary and will improve in a couple of weeks.

I pray you are all doing well and have great faith in the miracles of our dear Lord.

Blessings
Mrs. White

 

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19 comments:

Dimple said...

I'm thankful you will be able to have an unworried Christmas. May your day be blessed!

The Crazy Mom said...

Mrs. White,

I just wanted to wish you a most wonderful Christmas personally!!! Your family is rich indeed to have you!!! :)

Beth West www.northernskyart.wordpress.com said...

I am grateful to them too. I'm so glad you have what you need and a few extras.

Michelle said...

Thank you once again for your encouraging post. I am so thankful that the Lord has provided for your family again. He is so faithful! Be warm and blessed this Christmas, surrounded by family and the love and peace of our Lord.

Far Above Rubies said...

I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. God never forgets His people. He did the same for us.

Glory to Him who is worthy.

Have a blessed New Year.

Mrs. White said...

Thank you for such sweet comments!!

Blessings
Mrs. White

June Fuentes @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home said...

This post brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing your heart so openly. Your honesty and the way you share so openly will be a blessing to so many.

May the Lord bless you with health and lengthen your days here on earth!

Mrs. White said...

Mrs. Fuentes, Thank for such a precious comment!

Blessings
Mrs. White

Unknown said...

I feel so similar to you. God always comes through but sometimes not as soon as we would like. The Lord blessed us with 2 free turkeys this year and I haven't had to buy meat in almost a month. We're starting to grow feathers around here, but at least we have food. My daughter was begging me for a rice cake today, which I don't have to offer, however I do have what I need to make some fresh rolls, I'll be making some after her nap. Sorry for the rambling, I can really relate. Oh by the way I'm following you, I would love it if you would follow me back, www.lessonsfromivy.com
Christmas Blessings!

dontfencemein1979 said...

There is nothing our God cannot do. This reminds me of the woman who praised the Lord into her empty flour barrel. The Lord was right on time and filled her kitchen with plenty of things they not only needed but wanted as well. Wishing you a blessed Christmas season and praying for more blessings to come your way!

Debbie said...

My family was in a similar situation years ago. For a couple of months we even had to camp out in a tent. Now that the Lord has brought us through all that, He has left us with a tremendous testimony of His faithfulness(to long to post here.) But this increased our faith and made us stronger in the Lord... and when our daughter can go to the cabnet now and get hot chocalate when ever she pleases - we don't take it for granted. We have very thankful hearts. Praise the Lord.

Nancy said...

What happened? I hope things are better for you your family. Such trying times right now with financial insecurity and I know it's a bigger worry when the kids are still young. Loved your post on a peaceful home. xo Nancy

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I know this feeling. I know the incredible relief when the blessing comes.

Have a terrific week!
Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this it brought tears but encouraged me. I was like this yesterday. Standing in my kitchen cleaning out my pantry trying to make a meal to feed 9 people and there is nothing. I realize there is no dinner tonight but remain hopeful that God sees and knows so I try to keep a hopeful heart. Then the blessing comes, not how I expected but that is always the case. Big smile on my face because to night we have something to eat. Went to the store with $25 and bought the cheapest items to make enough Baked Spaghetti for all of us.That scripture of how Jesus took the loaves of bread and fish and offered it up and gave thanks to t he Father and the word says he broke it and distributed it and there was enough ti feed all and then some...that was us last night. I praise him for his provision. Today, tonight we will have to trust Him for what we need.....and He is faithful! Thank you so much for your story and encouragement. May God continue to bless you more and more with knowledge and depth of insight. Blessings!

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Just read this again. Perhaps I'll always live in or near poverty, but I am so glad that I've learned that God is faithful through it all.
Please drop by and say hello!
ஐღLauraღஐ
Harvest Lane Cottage
...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
on a short shoestring budget!
~~~~~

TheLoriA said...

Another great re-reading of your posts. This one I have been thinking of and searching for about a week. It is a very encouraging one. Thank you, Lori

Sue said...

Your post has humbled me. I lived this way once and worst still but the years have bought great blessing and I had forgotten what it was like to go hungry. I have become ungrateful and spoilt. May God forgive me. Thank you for being so open with the struggles you have been through they have softened my hard heart.

happyathome said...

Reading what you have shared Mrs White, has made me feel somewhat better of the circumstance we are currently in with an unknown future ahead of us. It is a testing from God to be sure but with this type of encouragement in know that i am right to put my faith and trust in Him. Thank you Sue for your comment-- i too have become ungrateful and spoilt in everyday living while the pay checks have come in. I am ashamed of myself. I have always thought i lived a frugal life but in reality buying things on sale or in season when we already have plenty is not relying on God to provide for our needs.

Barbara Schmidt said...

Many years ago, my husband was unable to work and our money needed to go solely to pay our bills as we waited for disability insurance payments. I was making a list of food on hand so I could plan meals (for our family of seven) for at least the next month without any money. As I was thinking "We just need meat", the phone rang. It was our local food pantry, where I had been client and volunteer. "Barb, our pantry freezer broke down. Could you use some frozen meat?" I cried and thanked God as I told her I hadn't even formed the prayer asking for His help yet! God our Father knows our needs, always.