When I first joined FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), they gave us a book on fundraising called The God Ask. Missionaries, as they are sent off to the world to invite people to sponsor their mission on the college campus, are given the book to help form their mindset about fundraising. I think, in our culture, we group people into tiers based off how financially “stable” they are or how much money they have. If you have a lot of money, living a life of opulence, then you are in the top tier. As you have less money or financial well-being, you have a lesser status in the world. And the people who ask people for money… those people are at the very bottom. The book takes on this worldview and reminds the missionaries of one simple truth: All the money in the world is God’s. Every dollar that was, is, and will be belongs first and foremost to God.
When I said yes to FOCUS, turning my back on a career and the financial stability was the most daunting thing I had done up to that point in my life. The idea of asking people for money was one I was not even remotely comfortable with. I feared many unknowns. What kinds of questions and rejection would I face? Would anyone support me? Would I be left alone and abandoned, orphaned by the God I just gave my life to? These thoughts plagued my mind the whole time in between agreeing to be a missionary and reading the book. After reading the book, my view on money had changed. Everything is God’s. It is His to do with as He wills.
And this God cares for me. “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26). This God has my best interest in mind and, most importantly, will not call me to something that He will not provide for. God knows about my needs, fears, concerns, thoughts… everything. He knows I don’t naturally want to ask for money and help from others. He knows all the scenarios that run around in my mind. He speaks to me, softly. He tells me that He has a plan. All the money in the world is His to do with as He wills. All I must do is ask Him for it.
Our puzzle for Baby M #2 is officially HALFWAY completed! I cannot believe it. It has been a beautiful reminder that it is all in His hands. There is nothing that happens by accident. My God is the God who parted the Red Sea, walked on water, and rose from the dead. He can do whatever He wants. Someday, I will die and be in heaven (fingers crossed) with God. I hope someday to laugh at money, seeing it for what it is to God. For now, I will just bring my trust and hope before the Lord. Everything is His, to do with as He chooses. Thank you for your continued support as we work towards becoming an active, waiting family and one step closer to bringing home Baby M!
-Joe
P.S. I (Katie) cannot wait to sit down and write your names on the pieces! We are currently in the process of moving this week and without a doubt I would lose pieces if I attempted to do it right now…I promise a visual update of the puzzle soon!