God's Strength by Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hilton

It’s been a trying day. Things didn’t go as planned at all. I’d gathered everything I needed for the DMV office. My van had totally died; we needed a new-to-us van. God provided one. Got to the DMV. Standing room only. I stand there an hour. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

And then found out that the dealer I’d bought my new-to-me vehicle from didn’t fill out the paperwork right. I have to go to the dealership. Talk to the office. Get something signed.

I am ready to cry. As tears pool on my lashes, I remind myself that it is good I didn’t go to the DMV I’d planned to stop at. Because then I would’ve had to drive fifty miles to go to the dealership. But still. Somebody has to cry. I tell that to my three daughters who are with me. One of them is helping me walk because my bad knee wants to buckle after standing so long. They say, “We’ll cry, Mama. You have to drive.”

Right. No time to fall apart. Not now.

I get the paper signed. And rediscover that they have cokes at the dealership. I need the pick-me-up more than I know when I return to the DMV and learn the original one hour long wait has doubled.

Doubled! I can’t stand there another hour. Let alone two! And no one believes in giving up their seats anymore. Not for the elderly, not for women. An eighty-year-old man was there, leaning on a cane shaking as he stands—and no one offers him their seat. I would’ve if I could. I can’t. I have none.

I am praying that God will help me keep my balance as I near the end of my wait. I pray this time, the papers I have are enough. I didn’t think to pray I’d have enough to pay for it.

No one mentions sales tax will need to be paid at the DMV. For some reason, I’d thought that was part of the purchase amount we paid. Silly me.

I didn’t have enough. I was short one hundred dollars. But I write the check anyway, knowing where that missing money is. Knowing I can go home, go on-line and transfer money and it’ll be there.

I am too tired to go to the grocery store and shop. I am shaking too badly. My knee buckles with every step I take. And I am getting a headache from the stress.

I go home. Sit to rest a few minutes while I eat lunch. And God gives me this.

“God is faithful. He is faithful. He is faithful.
God is not unaware of our need.
God’s provided in the past. He will again.
God knew this was coming before we did. He has answers prepared already.
God won’t abandon us in trying times. He draws us nearer. Nearer. Nearer.”
~~Cynthia Ruchti, Tattered and Mended, page 22

So many things this can apply to. In my life, my prodigal son. Unexpected time and money spent at the DMV. My strength.

Right now I am leaning on God. I need His strength to get me through whatever each day brings. I am drawing nearer to Him, resting my head on His shoulder, and while not crying, exactly, I’m pouring out my hurts. Anger. Frustration. Money woes.

It’s wonderful how God ministers right when I need it. Reaching out to me with the words I need, when I need it.

How has God ministered to you today?

About the Author

Laura V. Hilton

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
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The Postcard (from Promised to Another)

The Post Card
by Laura V. Hilton

David Lapp survived a “code blue” when he was in a buggy/semi truck accident in Seymour, Missouri. Now after extensive therapy he has lingering mobility problems and is still struggling to find his place in the world. Lured away from Webster County by thoughts of closed buggies and a postcard friendship he’s developed with an Amish girl in Jamesport, he moves north, hoping for a fresh start. He finds work in the area tying flies and basket weaving, selling his products in the Amish markets in the Jamesport area.

Rachel Miller dreams of travel, but feels tied to her Amish life. She is being courted by Obadiah Graber, but wonders if there’s more to life. When she sees David’s name mentioned in The Budget, she strikes up a pen pal friendship with David while he’s in the hospital and in therapy, consoling him when he and his girlfriend part ways. She never dreams that David will come north and move into her community. David is still fearful in the buggy, especially in high traffic areas. Feeling he’s called by God to preach, David spends hours in the Bible, but the Amish discourage him, believing their ministers should be drawn by lot. Will David follow his call, even if it takes him out of the Amish church? Will Rachel realize her dream to travel?