Have you ever tried to execute a financial plan, only to have it turn completely on its head? This is what Matt and I experienced this winter. When we first arrived in Halifax, we were very low on funds and our journey east had come to a sudden halt. Unsure as to how we should proceed, Matt and I came up with a very simple plan. We would both find full-time employment and save up our money to continue on The Narrow Shoulder. We estimated that it would take approximately two years to save up enough money. It was a good plan. However, God’s plan turned out to be much different than our own. Our jobs ended up being both part-time and temporary. Our paychecks were only enough to pay for our rent and livelihood. When we did receive extra funds, God encouraged us to be generous and give it away. During this season, God tested our hearts like never before. In so many situations, Matt and I were challenged with a choice. To put our faith in our jobs and finances, or to put our faith in God.
On Thursday, March 15, I was spending the evening alone in my bedroom. I was trying my best to pray and listen quietly for God’s voice.
Jesus, I love you. I want to know you more. Please teach me how to recognize your voice, even when it’s as soft as a whisper.
Suddenly, a friend from Deep Water Church comes to my mind. Matt and I are aware that this individual is struggling financially after losing his job.
You should give him five hundred dollars.
The voice is no louder than a whisper. It completely takes me by surprise.
Wait, was that you Lord? Or did I just make that up?
Silence.
Matt and I don’t even have five hundred dollars! How can we give him this amount? I complain.
I can tell by His silence that I won’t be getting a second hint. Should I act, or just let it go? I tentatively open my bedroom door and peek into the living room. Matt is sitting alone at the table. I am suddenly afraid to approach him. Matt is often worrying about our finances. He might get angry if I bring up the idea of giving away five hundred dollars. I leave my bedroom and approach him cautiously. Matt sees me and stops playing his boardgame to give me a hug.
“Are you done praying?” he asks.
“Actually, I came to ask you a question,” I say hesitantly. I pull away from him sightly to see his face.
“How are we doing financially?” I ask.
“We’re doing fine,” Matt says with a reassuring smile. “I just paid our rent for the month and the Visa is paid off too. We even have some money left over.”
His calm demeanor allows me to relax.
“Wow, that’s a first,” I respond. “How much money do we have saved up?”
“About five hundred dollars.”
I jump back with shock. What are the chances that we have exactly five hundred dollars in our savings account? Now I’m confident that the whisper is God’s voice and I quickly explain the situation to Matt.
“Would you be okay with giving away the extra five hundred dollars?” I ask.
Matt thinks for only a second before responding.
“Let’s do it,” he says.
“Wait, don’t you want to pray about it?” I ask him nervously. Matt laughs and shakes his head.
“I just did silly and I have complete peace about this decision.”
He tilts his head to the side and gives a quizzical look.
“It’s weird. I would normally be stressed about giving away all our money. Somehow, I just know that this is the right decision and everything is going to be okay.”
The following day Matt and I give our money in faith. Our friend is very thankful.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (1 John 3:17)
Six weeks pass and on Friday, May 4th, Matt and I sit together on the couch, a warm blanket wrapped around our legs, and a coffee in our hands. Matt has the day off from work and has plans to meet with our good friend. Unfortunately, our friend is still unemployed and he’s struggling financially. Matt hopes to encourage him and lift his spirits during this difficult time. As we discuss our plans for the day, I watch Matt lift his coffee cup to his lips. Suddenly, he jerks his body forward and nearly spills his coffee all over the couch.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I wanted to help out our friend financially.” Matt responds with wide eyes. “So I asked God how much I should give.”
Now I’m curious.
“What did God say?” I ask.
“How much do you want to be blessed?”
Matt and I share a long look. I know in my heart that I want all of God’s blessing. Was God implying that in order to receive all, we must give all? I can tell by the look on Matt’s face that he is contemplating a similar thought. However, Matt and I have just received our income tax return. A total of two thousand dollars!
“How much do you think we should give?” Matt asks.
Before I can share anything with him, I am interrupted by the Holy Spirit.
Don’t help him. This is Matt’s test.
“God asked you the question Matt, so I think you should decide,” I respond.
I can see that Matt is struggling. It’s the same fear that I felt during my own test. He is afraid that I will be angry if he decides to give everything to God. However, in this moment I can feel an indescribable peace filling my heart. If Matt chooses to give away the two grand in faith, I know that it is the right decision and everything will be okay.
“I think we should give a thousand dollars.”
My heart drops slightly at his response. A thousand dollars is a generous gift, but it is not the answer that God is searching for. That afternoon Matt gives the money to our friend and he is very thankful. Believing that the test is over, I spend my weekend making a list of items I plan to buy with our extra finances. A new outfit, some cute shoes, maybe a haircut and a few accessories. However, a few days later I receive a shocking text from Matt during my break.
Amy, I love you so much! I gave the rest away! xoxo
Wait, WHAT!?!?!?
So much for my shopping spree… I later discovered that Matt had spent the entire day worshiping and praying to God. During this time, God revealed to Matt that He desired a faith that would trust Him with everything. When Matt realized his mistake, he started to cry. He was filled of remorse and asked God to forgive him. God heard Matt’s cry and had compassion.
Okay Matt, I’ll give you a second chance. How much do you want to be blessed?
When Matt heard those words he was filled with joy! He rushed out the door and skipped into the bank. He emptied our bank account and gave everything to our friend. In that moment Matt understood. God’s blessing was more valuable than any earthly treasure.
A few weeks passed and on Wednesday, May 30th, I had a bright and colorful dream. A hand reached out and gave me a five dollar bill and a twenty dollar bill. The money was folded in half. When I received the gift I was so excited and thankful. I danced, jumped, and gave thanks. As I turned to walk away, I started unfolding the bills in my hand. There between the fold, was a hidden one hundred dollar bill.
The next morning, I struggled to understand the meaning of this dream. I was certain that the money was an important gift from God, but I didn’t know if it represented provision, power, or spiritual riches. I also felt like the numbers were important, but I couldn’t discern their meaning. Fortunately, when I shared the dream with Matt he was quick to give me an answer to this riddle.
“It could represent the amount of money we gave away in faith,” he shares. “Think about it Amy. Five dollars could represent the five hundred dollars, and twenty dollars could represent the two thousand dollars.”
“You think the mystery of this dream is to simply add two zeros behind each of the numbers?” I ask, trying not to sound too skeptical.
I start writing down Matt’s theory in my journal.
-
- Dream / Reality
-
- $5 = $500
-
- $20 = $2,000
-
- $100 = $10,000?
- Total: $125 = $12,500 ???
“According to your interpretation, God is promising to give us twelve thousand five hundred dollars,” I say with shock.
“Wow, that’s amazing! Is that really possible?” Matt wonders.
“I don’t know Matt. It was just a dream. Besides, dreams are supposed to be more symbolic than realistic. If we take this dream too literally, we might set ourselves up for disappointment. I think it’s safer to assume that God is promising to bless in abundance. Just like He promises in the Bible.”
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)
After receiving this dream another three weeks pass without any results. During this time, I continue to fast, pray, and wait on the Lord. It becomes increasingly difficult as my body and mind are pushed to its limits. Finally, on the day of my birthday, Matt and I finally receive an amazing message from God. Our season of waiting is over! It is time to choose a path and move forward. God provides us with two options: We can either choose to continue our journey on The Narrow Shoulder, or we can begin a new journey by pursuing our careers. Either way, both choices are considered righteous in God’s eyes. Matt and I are ready to make a choice that will determine the course of our future. We choose The Narrow Shoulder. We will continue our journey east and go to Europe.
I begin this journey by approaching my boss and giving her my two weeks notice. Then we inform our family and friends. There is just one problem, we have absolutely no finances for this trip! It’s like a huge mountain is blocking our route, preventing us from entering into Europe. Yet despite these negative circumstances I have a great confidence in my heart. As Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I suddenly hear a bold command as I pray in my bedroom.
Tell the mountain to move.
Wait, are you serious?!
It has no right to be there. Tell it to move.
I can feel my heart racing with excitement. This is the first time God has ever asked me to move a mountain. I quickly run and get Matt so that he can join the fun.
“Mountain, move in the name of Jesus!” We declare together.
Then I continue, “God has asked us to go to Europe, and we have agreed with His Will. You have no choice but to move out of our way and make a straight path for us!”
“Jesus, thank you so much for your provision,” Matt adds. “I ask that you would provide us with the twelve thousand five hundred dollars that you promised Amy in her dream.”
I stop and look at him with a raised eyebrow.
“What?” Matt asks, shrugging his shoulders. “We’re already asking for a mountain to move, we might as well shoot for the moon while we’re at it.”
I can’t help but laugh at his response. Matt was right; What was there to lose?
“Amen!” I declare.
Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. (Mark 11:23)
In the following days, all is quiet and peaceful. Matt and I are not sure what to expect, but we continue to plan our departure nonetheless. After three days of waiting, something scary happens. Matt comes home in tears.
“Amy, I have something to tell you,” Matt says as he runs into the house.
“What’s wrong Matt?” I ask with concern. I put down my book to give him my full attention.
Matt falls to his knees in front of me. Then he takes my hands and holds them tight.
“Matt you’re scaring me. What’s wrong? Did someone die?”
He shakes his head.
“No, that’s not it,” he says. “A friend approached me today at the cafe. We were having a good conversation when he suddenly stopped me. He said that God was asking him to give us a gift.”
“What did he give you?” I ask curiously.
“Amy, you’ll never believe it. He’s giving us $12,500.”
Three days. It took just three days for God to move a mountain and cast it into the sea. He even did it with some gusto! It was like watching the mountain be ground into powder, paved into a bridge, and then stretched across the Atlantic Ocean for us to cycle across. How great is our God! This experience has given Matt and I so much confidence in God’s promises and the path that we have chosen. We have no doubt in our minds that God is sending us out. He spoke to us so clearly on my birthday, and now He has provided for us in such a miraculous way. Although the unknown future can be intimidating, Matt and I know that God is with us, He is for us, and He will continue to care and provide for us all over the world. In response, Matt and I will continue to love the Lord with all our hearts, and tell others about Jesus.
Amy and Matt! You continue to be such an inspiration to me. Trust is my big issue and to see you trusting God this way just boosts my courage to do the same. I was hoping to give you a small bit of money before you left, but that didn’t happen. I think I found a Go Fund Me page for you two. Would that be the best way to give?