It Just So Happens. . . episode 3

God works in mysterious ways! One thing I love about the way God works is that he doesn't do it the way I expect or in the same way twice. When I was in college the only stipulation my parents put on my choice was that I couldn't take out loans. They would help me in any way they could, but they had two children in college at the same time and four little kids still at home. Covenant College (my alma mater) is a private Christian school with outrageous tuition. It seemed impossible that I could go there without taking out loans. God provided a phenomenal scholarship package and an on-campus work-study job, but there was still a chunk of money left to be paid. Watching God provide each semester in a different way and always just in the nick of time was a huge booster to my faith. Because of God's provision, I graduated without any loans.

We're not as poor now as I was in college, but we aren't bringing in enough to cover all of our expenses. Because of this deficit we have had to rely on God to provide. He never ceases to amaze me. A few months ago I got a letter from the IRS which I opened with fear and trembling assuming it was a request for an audit. Instead it was a letter letting us know that we might qualify for a child earned income credit. I did our taxes with an H&R Block tax program and it said we didn't qualify, but when I read the letter we met all the qualifying conditions. After consulting with a CPA friend of ours to make sure we weren't going to fall prey to any fraudulent schemes I filled it out and sent it back. Why in the world would the IRS send me a notice that they might owe me money?!? I have no idea.

Anyway, this week we received a sizable check to add to our refund. It just so happens God chose to use the IRS (of all people) to meet our needs. It's totally crazy. It will probably never happen again in this same way, but I praise God for his provision even from the most unlikely sources. We have been overwhelmed time and time again in how he has provided for our every need as we wait for him to provide a more permanent job for Michael. We praise him because he has always been faithful!