Over the last 8 months, I have been completely amazed at God’s provision. Having a baby (let alone twins) was not in Steph and my plans. When we first found out that Steph was pregnant, we asked all the typical first time parent questions. How are we going to do this, where are we going to get that, when will we fit this in, and how will we do that? Deep down we knew that God would take care of everything, but we still had a tendency to wonder and ask those kinds of questions. We knew that God has a perfect track record in terms of taking care of His children, but still, how is parenting twins going to work for us? Have you ever been there before – wondering how God is going to come through? My guess is that you have and that as you look back on that experience, you are only reminded of God’s faithfulness and His incredible provision.

Last night Ephesians 3:20-21 came to mind for me. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” These verses are often used as a benediction at the end of a worship service and Paul reminds us that God is sufficient for all our needs and that His power is above and beyond what we think. Too often, we have a feeble estimation of what God can and will do. In essence, we underestimate the power of God in our lives. At the end of 2009, we had many plans for the coming year, but 2010 has turned out be much better than we could have ever imagined. Of course, the Bible tells us just that in Proverbs 19:21; “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” In retrospect, I am so thankful that God is in control and not us. God determined to shower His grace upon our lives and new and amazing ways that we would have never dreamed possible. As I think back on my Christian walk, I see this same pattern over and over again where I planned something, but God’s plans were so much better.

Let me just clarify what I am not saying. I am not saying that anytime we make plans, God has something different in mind and will overrule our plan. For the Christian that is walking close to the Lord, often God will lay something on your heart and that’s exactly what you will do. I am also not saying that God’s plan for our life does not include suffering. In tons of places throughout the Scriptures, we learn that God prunes and grows and matures us through suffering. In the moment we might not understand what God is doing in our lives, but in the end we can say “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) We also must remember that Paul says God is “able” to do far more abundantly that all that we ask or think. The reason I highlighted the word “able” is because it implies that we must trust God. Our Heavenly Father is always working out the circumstances of our lives to teach us to trust Him. We are to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) When we do act in faith and see how God works, it only builds our faith.

Have you been taking note of how God is working beyond all that you ask or imagine of Him? It is my hope and prayer that you will be aware of God’s amazing faithfulness and provision and that your faith will grow in leaps and bounds to the glory of His name. Steph is just weeks (perhaps days) away from delivery and we are excited to see how God goes above and beyond what we ever imagined as we begin this journey of parenthood (and don’t get much sleep).