Memorial Day weekend of 2011 began with amazing news. I worked late and, after the long drive back home (over an hour) from the office, I was greeted by Keeli. "I missed you!" she smiled. "I even made you a card!"
"You must have been feeling lonely," I joked as I received her card. The card revealed that she was not as lonely as I may have thought. I opened the card and it read:
"We live in a little round house and soon you'll see a little round belly!"*
Tears and laughter followed as we prayed over the womb where our baby awaited her birthday. One week later, we were in Asheville, attending a conference with the organization in which I worked as an associate. Keep in mind that we had no health insurance.
I received a call from Keeli. After researching the procedure for monitoring the baby's health, the medical world's role, and the bills that would follow, she expressed her concern for financial coverage.
Keeli prayed, "Father God, this is your child. You need to provide for this baby."
One day later, as I was scrambling to complete a last minute request, I reported to the vice president of our department. "Thank you, Jonathan. You know you've been promoted to full time, right?" Wondering if the comment was in jest, I told him I was not aware. I immediately contacted Keeli and told her the great news! Not only did my salary increase, but Keeli and I were eligible for benefits, including health insurance. Through this insurance company, a pregnant woman is only eligible for coverage within the first trimester. We made the deadline by three weeks!
When you are blessed, you are equipped to prosper. God is good and will bless you with the unexpected when we ask, believe, and receive. Until I said, "Yes, I accept," I did not receive my promotion. The same is true in the Kingdom of God. With thankful hearts, we must say, "Yes, I accept and receive," to Jesus. Position yourself in His grace, knowing He is good, to receive blessings from the Lord. We are blessed to be a blessing. Why? Because He loves us!
*To listen and download the song inspired by Keeli's card, written in honor of our daughter, click here.
Jonathan Fawcett