Rusty Kennedy
Simon Birch asks the question... "What do donuts have to do with God?" The Lord revealed that answer to me in a real way.
My second day of being employed by Leavener (May 22nd), I took an impulse trip with a friend. He inquired about my "nut". I said, "What are you talking about?" He went on to explain that a "nut" is how much money you absolutely need to survive each month. Over the next 24 hours, I scrutinized my monthly budget to figure out how much of a "nut" would allow me to survive. (For those of you who know me... that means a detailed Excel file with fancy formulas... woohoo!!!)
Then on Friday, Michelle and I did our normal routine of brunch at Cracker Barrel. It was an emotional low for both of us. Tears were flowing (mostly from uncertainty). The food came and the routine prayer became more than that. It was a plea to God for wisdom and peace. I truly believe that before the meal ended, God had answered our prayer. We discussed our busy June/July family schedule and know that we are to rest for two months and trust Him. We hope to have oars in the water by August 1st for whatever adventure God has in store for us. There has been peace and joy since then. The two of us have had a great 10 days since. Thank you Jesus!
Which brings us to yesterday, June 2nd. Right before leaving for open houses and a wedding, I quickly reconciled my bank accounts for the end of the month. I opened the lovely Excel file and looked at that amount referred to as my "nut". Being the first month away from Northside, that nut was looking pretty overwhelming. I honestly said, "Lord, I have no idea how this is going to happen!"
Two minutes later, we climbed into the car to leave... Oh wait, here comes the mailman. Michelle says, "Chloe, would you get the mail, please?" Chloe comes skipping back to the car and hands the mail to Michelle. She hands me an envelope from some friends who have been tracking what God is doing in our lives. There was a check inside the envelope... oh my... that was quick Lord but it doesn't cover the "nut". Michelle hands me a second envelope. Another check... "You've got to be kidding me!!!". Within 15 minutes of questioning God, the Lord handed us two checks totaling 98% of the "nut" I had just reviewed. I turned to Michelle and said, "This is not happenstance." This is the exact situation that I referred to in my March 13th blog entitled "Unexplainable Adventure."
I have been told more than once... "You're going to have to do something... this is not going to just fall in your lap." I just can't buy that train of thought anymore. I am hanging out with my family and doing just as much ministry as I was before I quit as a staff member at Northside. I still hang out with people. I still pray with people. I still serve people. I still cry with people. I still encourage people. And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE PEOPLE. But truly, it is God that does it all. That may be semantics or a nice spiritual thought for you. But it is truly my way of life.
So what do donuts have to do with God? He gave Leavener all the "dough" I need for my "nut" this month! WOOHOO!!!
Rusty
My second day of being employed by Leavener (May 22nd), I took an impulse trip with a friend. He inquired about my "nut". I said, "What are you talking about?" He went on to explain that a "nut" is how much money you absolutely need to survive each month. Over the next 24 hours, I scrutinized my monthly budget to figure out how much of a "nut" would allow me to survive. (For those of you who know me... that means a detailed Excel file with fancy formulas... woohoo!!!)
Then on Friday, Michelle and I did our normal routine of brunch at Cracker Barrel. It was an emotional low for both of us. Tears were flowing (mostly from uncertainty). The food came and the routine prayer became more than that. It was a plea to God for wisdom and peace. I truly believe that before the meal ended, God had answered our prayer. We discussed our busy June/July family schedule and know that we are to rest for two months and trust Him. We hope to have oars in the water by August 1st for whatever adventure God has in store for us. There has been peace and joy since then. The two of us have had a great 10 days since. Thank you Jesus!
Which brings us to yesterday, June 2nd. Right before leaving for open houses and a wedding, I quickly reconciled my bank accounts for the end of the month. I opened the lovely Excel file and looked at that amount referred to as my "nut". Being the first month away from Northside, that nut was looking pretty overwhelming. I honestly said, "Lord, I have no idea how this is going to happen!"
Two minutes later, we climbed into the car to leave... Oh wait, here comes the mailman. Michelle says, "Chloe, would you get the mail, please?" Chloe comes skipping back to the car and hands the mail to Michelle. She hands me an envelope from some friends who have been tracking what God is doing in our lives. There was a check inside the envelope... oh my... that was quick Lord but it doesn't cover the "nut". Michelle hands me a second envelope. Another check... "You've got to be kidding me!!!". Within 15 minutes of questioning God, the Lord handed us two checks totaling 98% of the "nut" I had just reviewed. I turned to Michelle and said, "This is not happenstance." This is the exact situation that I referred to in my March 13th blog entitled "Unexplainable Adventure."
I have been told more than once... "You're going to have to do something... this is not going to just fall in your lap." I just can't buy that train of thought anymore. I am hanging out with my family and doing just as much ministry as I was before I quit as a staff member at Northside. I still hang out with people. I still pray with people. I still serve people. I still cry with people. I still encourage people. And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE PEOPLE. But truly, it is God that does it all. That may be semantics or a nice spiritual thought for you. But it is truly my way of life.
So what do donuts have to do with God? He gave Leavener all the "dough" I need for my "nut" this month! WOOHOO!!!
Rusty
RSS Feed