“Mommy, let’s pray that God gives you a husband because I want a daddy,” says my nine year old son Wesley. I was divorced and longing for a godly man. We prayed and God surprised us. That night as I served as a phone counselor at Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), I met Ken Spafard. Ken worked in the Scenic Design Department at CBN. As we became friends, Ken shared that he was diabetic and that his health was failing. He also shared that his wife had left him with their 5 year-old daughter, and he did not know where they were.
After a year of dating, Ken and I were married. Three months later, Ken’s daughter Tina came to live with us. Our blended family consisted of Ken’s son Eddie, age 18, my son Wesley, age 10, and Tina, age 5. It was so wonderful being part of a family.
Our joy was short-lived because after six months, Ken’s health quickly deteriorated. He had to quit his job and our financial situation became dire. My job as a school bus driver only brought in $100 and Ken’s Social Security equaled $75. Ken’s monthly medicine cost $100. How would we survive on such meager funds?
During this time God showed me that He is our Provider. At Thanksgiving we could not afford a turkey, so I bought a small chicken for our celebration. To my surprise, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, someone gave me a turkey and a ham. I began asking God for things we needed. I didn’t have a flannel nightgown, so I asked the Lord to provide one. Two days later, someone came to visit us and her gift to me was a warm flannel nightgown! God took care of every need we had!
Caring for a sick man was difficult. Sick people can be very grumpy and messy. Due to being a dialysis patient, Ken was only allowed to drink 80z of liquid a day. He developed diabetic thirst and would satiate his thirst by gargling liquid and spitting it into the sink. I would often return home to find red cool aid or tea splattered all over the kitchen and bathroom counter. Cleaning up after Ken and dealing with his bad moods caused me to become depressed.
One day as I was sitting outside, I asked God, “Why am I so unhappy ?” He answered me immediately and his voice sounded like thunder, “You have not been praising me!” I made a conscious choice to cultivate a thankful heart no matter what circumstances I was going through.
My Scripture was Psalm 107:22, “Offer thanksgiving with joy” and Psalm 116:17, “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” One thing that will transform our captivity will be a sacrifice of praise. What did the apostle Paul do when he was in prison? He praised God! Because Paul praised God in the midst of his pain, the Gospel spread to the jailer and his entire family.
Tina’s Refelections
As a kid, I did not realize how difficult life was for you, mom. Now that I have children of my own, my eyes are opened to all you did to take care of our family. How grateful I am for your love and acts of service. You are such a blessing!
Good Evening Heavenly Father,
Thank you for my mom, Paula Reid. Thank you for giving her the ability to praise you even when her life was very difficult. Help me to choose to be thankful. Help me to trust that you will provide for my needs. Be the mountain I run to when I am scared. Be the fountain I drink from when my life is dry. Be the anchor in the waves even during the worst storms of life.
Thank you, Lord for the readers of this blog. You know what difficulties they are facing today. Fill them with your power and strength. Set them free from the chains that hold them down. Fill their souls with a new song.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Paula loves the song King of my Heart.
sunflower photo by Amber Kramer
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