Trusting God's Timing Through Change, Loss, and Provision
Life gets busy, and I didn’t realize how quickly time had passed until I looked back and saw all that God had done. As a Christian, I’ve experienced plenty of moments the world might call negative—hardship, uncertainty, frustration. I’ll be honest, I haven’t always enjoyed those seasons. But what I’ve seen over and over again is that God uses those moments to bring about far greater blessings than I could have ever imagined.
My wife and I were youth leaders at our church when God called us to become the pastoral family at a different church—a new beginning that just happened to bring us full circle, back to my childhood church. I was officially named senior pastor in October 2024.
At the time, we lived 40 minutes from the church and about an hour from the community the church primarily serves. It’s a small, country church, and we were adjusting well while seriously considering moving closer. I was also working full-time outside of ministry while my wife and I were also raising our six children.
In January of this year, I was told I would need to return to the office in the Twin Cities five days a week if I wanted to keep my job—a 7-hour round trip daily if we didn’t move. It felt impossible. But God opened a door: a local job became available, and I made the difficult decision to leave the company I had been with for 15 years.
That job wasn’t what I was used to—I was selling ice fishing houses and managing a hunting/fishing retail store with very little experience in either. I was out of my element, but God had me there for a reason. I kept praying and looking for a job in my previous field, information security.
Two months later, God provided again: I was offered a full-time job right in the town near our church. Praise God! That shift reignited our desire to move closer. We found a house, but lost it to a cash offer. We were discouraged and considered putting the move on hold again.
But God wasn’t done. The perfect house came on the market—and this time, everything fell into place. Even when a low appraisal threatened the closing, God made a way. We moved in May and listed our old house in June.
My wife had prayed specifically—not for a bidding war, but for the right offer. And wouldn’t you know it? A family across the street from our old house had been searching for a home for their aging parents to live nearby. It was a perfect fit. We close next month, and we are so thankful to God for His faithfulness.
Most recently, a powerful storm hit our new area. Our home took some damage, and while that was disappointing, what mattered most was this: not one person in our entire community, including our church, was injured. We had prayed for safety—and God answered.
Through every setback, every delay, and every moment of doubt, God has shown up. He’s been faithful in the big things and the small, in the timing and the placement, in the waiting and the provision. I just want to say: Praise God our Father in Heaven. His plans are so much better than mine ever could be.
Edit to add: We've wanted to live in the country for a long time (A part of the reason we started watching Big Family Homestead so long ago). At our new house we are living in the country on several acres with chickens and an opportunity to show our children how to be even more dependent on God. Amen!
i am thankful I was able to volunteer at my church’s food truck and help package up food for those in need, and be a blessing. To God be the glory. Please pray for the families blessed with the food.
I am thankful for the 37 years my husband and I have been married as of the 18th. God has been my guide and leaning post thru the different seasons, the ups and downs, the easy and complicated.
There’s been several times over the last few weeks that friendships with my Believer friend, Amy. has allowed me, thru God giving me insight and words, to support her in different ways. As she has also been a blessing to me.
As an example…..From Amy a week or so back….as we finished a messaging chat.
Amy- Thanks! Enjoy your morning!
I really appreciate all that you do!
Me- You’re very welcome. All I do, and a lot of the things I say, is so much God inspired. He gets the glory.
Amy- Oh for sure!
But you are following Him and allowing Him to use you as a vessel. Thanks for being such a wonderful and supportive friend! You are truly cherished!
Me…to my DEVO friends…TO GOD BE THE GLORY. I love my friend Amy dearly. But, she lives many states away and we have never met in person. (MAYBE we Will meet in person this August, so excited)
Sooo..thru love and GOD…we are being blessed and being a blessing.
Between medical costs and an endless flow of expenses, I cried out to God, "Lord, I need your blessing!" God promised Israel that He would bless their harvest, their health, their finances, their dealings with neighboring peoples and generally every aspect of life.
We've been having a lot of rain lately and our grass was quickly turning to a jungle. We have a large zero turn mower but the engine blew up after "only 10 years of mowing ten acres." It's earned it's keep but needs a new motor and a face lift. I bought a used rider mower to hold us over until finances could meet the need but a few weeks ago, that motor blew up too. I'm about 1/2 way through repairing the zero turn mower but may need a machete to get to the mailbox. Yesterday I got a call from a man at our church. He said he had stopped by to drop off some things for our benefit yard sale and saw my mower on blocks and a yard in sad shape. He told me he was on the way over to mow my lawn for me and make it look good for the yard sale this weekend. It was as if God was assuring me of His hand, AND BLESSING.
God is faithful. This last round of storms was difficult for several of my kids. But it was not Nearly as bad as it could have been. 3 windshields to replace, NO people harmed! Looks as if a family member or several, are pitching in to help cover expenses!
My dear friend is being kept as comfortable as possible. She's ready to be home, so keeping the prayers up for her. Her daughter needs prayer too, please. It's difficult to watch a once-vibrant parent wilt away. But God is with us in this, every moment.
My daughter still won't acknowledge us, and we are praying for her. It is written that families will be divided and be opposed like this, but she needs Jesus and His peace.
God is Great and has given me His peace and strength thru Him to stand.
I am blessed to be able to go out with my church tomorrow to work the evangelism booth. There is a big event in my community where they close off streets and vendors, food trucks, concerts, etc come. Our church is in the very center of the event! I am so thankful I am allowed to go and stay to the end. Well till when our church is leaving. Around 7 everybody is to drunk to function at this event, so it would be a waste of breath to stay.
I humbly ask your prayers for hearts to be softened and for the Gospel to advance. If they die in their sins they go to hell, the only answer is the Gospel. It is not our strength or the prettiness of our words but the Gospel that can save.
It will be very hard this year, for it is the first time at this event without my evangelism buddy, he passed away in December, almost 70 years old. He was to weak to stand but would sit under the tent and talk to those who wanted a conversation, handing out books. And helped keep me from getting flustered. But he has run the race and made it home, and set a wonderful example. Was a Preacher till his dying day. And if anything, the reality of his loss makes me want to share the Gospel more! I can still hear him laughing shaking his head and saying “Child! Project your voice! They can't hear you!” then my little squeaky voice shouting at the top of my lungs “Good news!” Then heard, “And you've got to remember to smile!”
Oh and it is also pride month, so please pray for our protection. The area we are in will be full of addicts of all kinds as well. But they need the Gospel too! The majority of the crowd is like moms kids, and retirement homes on a day trip. Which are usually fruitful grounds.
Very thankful I was able to find an affordable insulated lunch box, because I know I will not be able to eat from the food trucks without getting a horrible reaction since my new allergy. And I have a job to do, can't afford to be out with food poison like sickness.
By now, it is probably Cliche for me to start with God is good! So I'll Change, God is so very Good and merciful!
I praise God, that He allowed me to share the Gospel with my grandfather. I am saddened that it was only a nutshell version because my grandmother cut me off, But still it was the Gospel! Which is the power of God, for salvation to all who believe. {Romans 1:16 B.} It was a fight to get the nutshell out with her trying to change the subject. But my Grandfather responded far better than I imagined. He was there mentally, and not only did he hear the Gospel, but I was able to hit my grandmother with the Gospel again at the same time.
I thank you for your prayers, and I ask you to please Continue to pray for his salvation, as well as my grandmother's.
I am praying that I can talk to him more directly, without distractions soon. But I can't express the weight that has rolled off of my shoulders, since telling him the Gospel. I am innocent on Judgment day, I have warned him. And only God can save him, I am a mere messenger, who can do nothing apart from God's grace. And praise God for His glorious grace! That He gave me another chance to share the Gospel with him as I have ran in cowardice so many times from the opportunities I've had in the past. I can sleep better at night now. May God be pleased to save him! And may I never run again from obedience to God.
God is some kind of good!
Trusting God's Timing Through Change, Loss, and Provision
Life gets busy, and I didn’t realize how quickly time had passed until I looked back and saw all that God had done. As a Christian, I’ve experienced plenty of moments the world might call negative—hardship, uncertainty, frustration. I’ll be honest, I haven’t always enjoyed those seasons. But what I’ve seen over and over again is that God uses those moments to bring about far greater blessings than I could have ever imagined.
My wife and I were youth leaders at our church when God called us to become the pastoral family at a different church—a new beginning that just happened to bring us full circle, back to my childhood church. I was officially named senior pastor in October 2024.
At the time, we lived 40 minutes from the church and about an hour from the community the church primarily serves. It’s a small, country church, and we were adjusting well while seriously considering moving closer. I was also working full-time outside of ministry while my wife and I were also raising our six children.
In January of this year, I was told I would need to return to the office in the Twin Cities five days a week if I wanted to keep my job—a 7-hour round trip daily if we didn’t move. It felt impossible. But God opened a door: a local job became available, and I made the difficult decision to leave the company I had been with for 15 years.
That job wasn’t what I was used to—I was selling ice fishing houses and managing a hunting/fishing retail store with very little experience in either. I was out of my element, but God had me there for a reason. I kept praying and looking for a job in my previous field, information security.
Two months later, God provided again: I was offered a full-time job right in the town near our church. Praise God! That shift reignited our desire to move closer. We found a house, but lost it to a cash offer. We were discouraged and considered putting the move on hold again.
But God wasn’t done. The perfect house came on the market—and this time, everything fell into place. Even when a low appraisal threatened the closing, God made a way. We moved in May and listed our old house in June.
My wife had prayed specifically—not for a bidding war, but for the right offer. And wouldn’t you know it? A family across the street from our old house had been searching for a home for their aging parents to live nearby. It was a perfect fit. We close next month, and we are so thankful to God for His faithfulness.
Most recently, a powerful storm hit our new area. Our home took some damage, and while that was disappointing, what mattered most was this: not one person in our entire community, including our church, was injured. We had prayed for safety—and God answered.
Through every setback, every delay, and every moment of doubt, God has shown up. He’s been faithful in the big things and the small, in the timing and the placement, in the waiting and the provision. I just want to say: Praise God our Father in Heaven. His plans are so much better than mine ever could be.
Edit to add: We've wanted to live in the country for a long time (A part of the reason we started watching Big Family Homestead so long ago). At our new house we are living in the country on several acres with chickens and an opportunity to show our children how to be even more dependent on God. Amen!
You are a blessing to this devo family, too! We love you!
i am thankful I was able to volunteer at my church’s food truck and help package up food for those in need, and be a blessing. To God be the glory. Please pray for the families blessed with the food.
I am thankful for the 37 years my husband and I have been married as of the 18th. God has been my guide and leaning post thru the different seasons, the ups and downs, the easy and complicated.
There’s been several times over the last few weeks that friendships with my Believer friend, Amy. has allowed me, thru God giving me insight and words, to support her in different ways. As she has also been a blessing to me.
As an example…..From Amy a week or so back….as we finished a messaging chat.
Amy- Thanks! Enjoy your morning!
I really appreciate all that you do!
Me- You’re very welcome. All I do, and a lot of the things I say, is so much God inspired. He gets the glory.
Amy- Oh for sure!
But you are following Him and allowing Him to use you as a vessel. Thanks for being such a wonderful and supportive friend! You are truly cherished!
Me…to my DEVO friends…TO GOD BE THE GLORY. I love my friend Amy dearly. But, she lives many states away and we have never met in person. (MAYBE we Will meet in person this August, so excited)
Sooo..thru love and GOD…we are being blessed and being a blessing.
Between medical costs and an endless flow of expenses, I cried out to God, "Lord, I need your blessing!" God promised Israel that He would bless their harvest, their health, their finances, their dealings with neighboring peoples and generally every aspect of life.
We've been having a lot of rain lately and our grass was quickly turning to a jungle. We have a large zero turn mower but the engine blew up after "only 10 years of mowing ten acres." It's earned it's keep but needs a new motor and a face lift. I bought a used rider mower to hold us over until finances could meet the need but a few weeks ago, that motor blew up too. I'm about 1/2 way through repairing the zero turn mower but may need a machete to get to the mailbox. Yesterday I got a call from a man at our church. He said he had stopped by to drop off some things for our benefit yard sale and saw my mower on blocks and a yard in sad shape. He told me he was on the way over to mow my lawn for me and make it look good for the yard sale this weekend. It was as if God was assuring me of His hand, AND BLESSING.
God is faithful. This last round of storms was difficult for several of my kids. But it was not Nearly as bad as it could have been. 3 windshields to replace, NO people harmed! Looks as if a family member or several, are pitching in to help cover expenses!
My dear friend is being kept as comfortable as possible. She's ready to be home, so keeping the prayers up for her. Her daughter needs prayer too, please. It's difficult to watch a once-vibrant parent wilt away. But God is with us in this, every moment.
My daughter still won't acknowledge us, and we are praying for her. It is written that families will be divided and be opposed like this, but she needs Jesus and His peace.
God is Great and has given me His peace and strength thru Him to stand.
I am praying! I am looking so forward to your testimony of all the amazing things that are going to happen!
God is so good!
I am blessed to be able to go out with my church tomorrow to work the evangelism booth. There is a big event in my community where they close off streets and vendors, food trucks, concerts, etc come. Our church is in the very center of the event! I am so thankful I am allowed to go and stay to the end. Well till when our church is leaving. Around 7 everybody is to drunk to function at this event, so it would be a waste of breath to stay.
I humbly ask your prayers for hearts to be softened and for the Gospel to advance. If they die in their sins they go to hell, the only answer is the Gospel. It is not our strength or the prettiness of our words but the Gospel that can save.
It will be very hard this year, for it is the first time at this event without my evangelism buddy, he passed away in December, almost 70 years old. He was to weak to stand but would sit under the tent and talk to those who wanted a conversation, handing out books. And helped keep me from getting flustered. But he has run the race and made it home, and set a wonderful example. Was a Preacher till his dying day. And if anything, the reality of his loss makes me want to share the Gospel more! I can still hear him laughing shaking his head and saying “Child! Project your voice! They can't hear you!” then my little squeaky voice shouting at the top of my lungs “Good news!” Then heard, “And you've got to remember to smile!”
Oh and it is also pride month, so please pray for our protection. The area we are in will be full of addicts of all kinds as well. But they need the Gospel too! The majority of the crowd is like moms kids, and retirement homes on a day trip. Which are usually fruitful grounds.
Very thankful I was able to find an affordable insulated lunch box, because I know I will not be able to eat from the food trucks without getting a horrible reaction since my new allergy. And I have a job to do, can't afford to be out with food poison like sickness.
God is good!
Further up and further in!
Matthew 28!
Onward!
Yours in Christ,
Delanie bee
I will continue to pray!
By now, it is probably Cliche for me to start with God is good! So I'll Change, God is so very Good and merciful!
I praise God, that He allowed me to share the Gospel with my grandfather. I am saddened that it was only a nutshell version because my grandmother cut me off, But still it was the Gospel! Which is the power of God, for salvation to all who believe. {Romans 1:16 B.} It was a fight to get the nutshell out with her trying to change the subject. But my Grandfather responded far better than I imagined. He was there mentally, and not only did he hear the Gospel, but I was able to hit my grandmother with the Gospel again at the same time.
I thank you for your prayers, and I ask you to please Continue to pray for his salvation, as well as my grandmother's.
I am praying that I can talk to him more directly, without distractions soon. But I can't express the weight that has rolled off of my shoulders, since telling him the Gospel. I am innocent on Judgment day, I have warned him. And only God can save him, I am a mere messenger, who can do nothing apart from God's grace. And praise God for His glorious grace! That He gave me another chance to share the Gospel with him as I have ran in cowardice so many times from the opportunities I've had in the past. I can sleep better at night now. May God be pleased to save him! And may I never run again from obedience to God.
Thank you all so much for the prayers again.
And thanks be to God for His wondrous love!
Yours in Christ,
Delanie Bee