When my co-author and I asked for stories of God's provision for our upcoming Kregel release, "Wounded Women of the Bible," we were overwhelmed by the response. It was so encouraging to read the testimonies from women who had seen God meet their needs in miraculous ways.
We could only use three of the stories in the book's chapter on the widow of Zarephath, so we're going to share some of them on our own blogs. We pray they encourage you!
Here's one from author and speaker Dawn Wilson, of LOLwithGod:
In the 1970s Dawn Wilson sang and served with a revival ministry, traveling throughout the United States. As a new Christian, the 21-year-old was in awe of how God worked in churches in the lives of others: breaking down pride, calling believers to repentance and obedience, restoring families and changing churches.
At that time, team members received only ten dollars a month for personal needs. As the months passed—with no other means of support—Dawn soon found herself in need, lacking many practical things: toothpaste, hair spray, deodorant, feminine supplies, nylons, some makeup, breath mints and even thank you notes to thank the hosts where she stayed each week. There was no way she could get through another month without some of the more basic needs.
“Lord, you know I don’t have these things,” she prayed. “I have no one else to turn to. I could try to borrow these things from team members, but I'm asking you to supply. I’ve watched you provide spiritually for people in the churches where we’ve shared. Will you provide some practical things for me now?”
The next week, at a church in Florida, Dawn and another team member were placed in the home of an elderly lady. She led them to the room where they would stay for the week, and Dawn’s mouth opened in surprise. There, on each of their beds, was a lovely gift basket to welcome them. This had never happened before in her experience on the team. Dawn smiled and cried as she examined the contents. Everything she prayed for, including thank you notes, filled the basket. And there was more ... a $20 bill in an envelope for "whatever else you need."
This was more than a gift from a caring old woman. God provided in a way that reminded Dawn she was not forgotten. God saw her service, heard her prayer, and proved Himself faithful. In the 40 years to follow—on this revival team and in various other ministries—God continued to meet her needs; but Dawn still points to that simple basket as the foundation of her understanding that God would always provide.
