We realized recently that general comments are often made like: “It is so fun to watch God provide,” and often no details are included. One small way we have watched God provide in the last few months financially has to do with health care. We received a refund check in the mail from my (Ali’s) OBGYN for $20.00 that to this day we do not know why we received it. When you receive money in the mail, it does not have to have an explanation like when you receive a bill. We are blessed to have all our needs met in a month and more, yet our budget has little padding for unexpected expenses. Last week my ring finger swelled up. The experience was odd and painful. I was unable to get the ring off even after trying the suggestions from friends that are nurses, and Tommy trying almost every trick he could find online. I felt so funny about paying for medical care for a finger! However, I was told that permanent damage could be done to my finger if I kept the ring on and constricting my finger. We went to Urgent Care thinking they would need to cut it off. Tommy was present holding my other hand as the nurse forced the ring off my finger as I experienced excruciating pain. The co-pay for the visit was $20.00. God had provided the exact amount in the previous month.

The experience led to contemplation of blessings and life lessons. First, what a blessing to have a community of people around me that I was able to call and seek advice from. Second, what a blessing to have a loving, supportive, and compassionate husband who held my hand through a painful experience. Third, what a gift that we just deposited the amount needed for the medical services. I was humbled by all the to-do over a single finger, and through the experience was reminded how important each appendage really is. Every little part is significant, both to our physical bodies and to the spiritual body of the church.

To really stretch the analogy, it makes me ponder and pray about what parts of my spiritual body I need to un-constrict in order for the part not to die or be damaged. An area of growth for me is learning to have a Godly anger towards injustice and not a destructive anger. Join me in asking God to transform my heart through His Spirit and through His truth in Psalm 37.