Blog by Melissa Richardson
Remember that we don’t go through trials and hard times for ourselves (please read part 1 of this blog from last week)
Guess what else God did?! He sent me an amazing guy who later became my husband. He is not like any other man I have ever known! He loves me, loves my kids, but most importantly, He is in love with God! My life doesn’t even closely resemble what it looked like 23 years ago. And He hasn’t forgotten you either! He always shows up! He only wants what’s best for you.He thinks you are beautiful!
Matthew 6:25-26 TPT
“This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing? “Look at all the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they?”
As I sit here, thinking of how my life is now, I feel amazed and humbled. I am thankful that I went through all I did well, not really, but I do love how God works! Total disclosure – I’m not always happy with His methods, but I see (now) that I made it through to be able to help others. I truly believe most of the people I am called to influence and help are single moms!
I know how it feels to not have enough diapers to last through the day, not knowing if you or your kids will be able to eat anything more than scrambled eggs (made 45 different ways..lol). I remember thinking “God, what is it I’m supposed to do?” “Who can I help?”
I think I’ve always had a helpful spirit, but I really wanted to do something significant for people who REALLY needed it. One of the first major opportunities I got was at Wave Sister’s when they held a Community Baby Shower for some single moms. I would love to say I was able to stroke a check, or wave a magic wand and have everything lined up for them. I couldn’t do that, but God really put it on my heart that people want to help, but sometimes they don’t know what help is needed, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and start collecting items at my salon!
I put a note on my salon mirror asking for donations and in return, I would deduct the amount of the donation from their bill for the day. I was BLOWN AWAY by the generosity of people! To this day, I still get donations that I set aside for our next community baby shower.
I think about the mirrored image of this, and it makes me tear up. Seeing how God brought me from being the person who needed help, to being the one who was now able to help single moms! God has a plan for your life you too – and it’s bigger than you can imagine right now.
PRAYER
God I pray that any single mom reading this right now will have a revelation that you are real and that You have plans to give her a future and a hope (Read Jeremiah 29:11 sweetheart).