God Needed $50

"Over 20 years ago my husband and two daughters and I were preparing for a family vacation to Georgia. This was a rare treat as finances were such that we seldom took vacations away from home.

"I had unexpectedly been able to put aside a little money for 'extras' for our trip. A vacation plus 'fun' money! Hurray!

"As we made our plans, I felt strongly that God was urging me to put aside $50.00 of the money for His use on the trip.  $50.00 represented a good portion of what I'd saved, but I happily did so and looked forward to what He wanted me to do with it! 

"We arrived in Georgia and had a wonderful week with extended family. It was time to return home, yet the $50.00 remained tucked away in my wallet. I was concerned that I might have missed God's cue.

"On our drive home we pulled into a rest stop in Paducah, Kentucky. We parked and as I walked to the restroom, I noticed an old model station wagon sitting at the curb. The windows were down and despite the terrible heat, a young woman and 6- to 7-year-old girl were just sitting in the car as though waiting for someone.

"I entered a stall in the restroom, and there, right in front of me, taped to the inside of the stall door was a scrawled a note saying 'Can you help us? My daughter and I are sitting in the gold station wagon. We need to make a new life in California where we have family. I have run out of money for gas and food.' I knew instantly that this is what the $50.00 was for. (I chuckled at the humor of having the message come to me in that stall, reminding me that God speaks to me where He knows He can get my attention!) 

"I eagerly returned to the parking lot and handed the young woman the money. She looked me in the eye and thanked me at which point I told her the gift was from God and to have a safe trip.

"The joy in knowing that I hadn't missed God's cue overwhelmed me and my family and put a sweet glow on the rest of the drive home."

Jesus, because You came to be with us, we have the privilege of Your presence giving us the joy of knowing and doing Your will.

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel-which means, 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:23).