When you don’t know where the money is coming from?...The power of sowing a seed in faith.
My former Pastor, a wise woman of God, taught the congregation about sowing seeds, asking God for what you want and being bold! Well, when I was a teenager one day during church service my Pastor said sow a seed today in fertile ground. Whatever you can afford to sow, place your money in the tithes and offering envelope and write on the envelope what you want God to do for you. I was sitting in my seat contemplating what I wanted God to do in my life. As I sat and thought about what I needed. My mind was made up!
Let me provide some background for you. I am the youngest of three siblings from a two parent household and was the first to go away to college in my family. My parents did not have the finances to assist me with covering the cost of my education. I wholeheartedly desired to go away to school and experience college life, get my degree and help the community to be better! That’s what I wanted at no cost.
Now I am taking you back to the day I sowed this seed. I think I had $5 in my pocket and I gave that $5. On my envelope I asked God to pay for my education, no debt, I want to go to school for free. When you talk about the power on a seed, sown with faith that God will supply all of my needs according to His riches and glory.
- God said that He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
- God said that He will supply all of your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
- God said ask, seek, knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7-8)
When my senior year came around and I needed scholarships to cover the cost of my education, room and board and travel costs. God reminded me of the seed that was sown.
I began applying for scholarships-about 30 of them! I received some scholarships. God showed me I did not need all of the scholarships I applied for. I only needed a few.
God sent help! One of my aunts who has helped numerous individuals get into college and help with seeking scholarship money helped me! She found a few scholarships and helped me to complete the applications. These two applications changed my world. One scholarship was brand new for the grantor and I was the first recipient. It was a significant amount of money per year and covered the remaining cost of what I need. Not only did that money flow, another scholarship came through and another! God had me rolling in scholarship money.
My Pastor at the time, said God will never leave you nor forsake you, He got you! I could just leap for joy because now I am going off to college, I do not have to pay for a thing! Amen!
One of the scholarships reimbursed me for books, supplies, clothes and Amtrak tickets to get to and from home when I needed to. God set me up! He showed me you are my daughter and I will take care of you!
Living in the overflow: Other scholarships I received, the grantor cut the check in my name. As a result, I was able to build a reserve with the scholarship money and access it throughout my four years in college.
Praise God for His blessings! It's not by our might that we exist. Sow a seed in good ground and watch for the harvest!
When was the last time you sowed a seed? Share your story in the comments section.
Stay tuned for Part II. I want you to know what happened next when life took a turn. And worry and doubt tried it best to set up camp in my heart.
Bianca Cotton is the Founder of Behind the Confident Smile, a lover of Christ, wife, and mom who enjoys dealing hope to women all over the world.