A testimony from one of us
I got this by email and decided that it deserved a wider audience. One of my hopes for the community is that we will support each other with our businesses. Now we need to match up what each of us does and how it might benefit others. This is not charity. I mean that I hope we will do business with each other. Here’s what SaraLou had to say:
The Lord delivered me from my 25 yr career as a professional fund raiser (colleges) in 2000, HE has provided in amazing ways given the significant reduction in income.
Since 2004 I’ve done tax preparation Jan – April and made enough money (average $5k/season) for Him/me to stretch while I studied Word and worked on intimacy with Him off season. Last year the franchise for which I worked chose not to reopen in the small town where they’d stationed me. While it’s 20 miles from my home, I can get there easier in the winter than the store across town I managed for them for a couple of years. Anyway, I believe the Lord led me to open my own tax store there (Decatur, IN) Jan 2010 and circumstances seemed to fall into place to make it happen. While my income was reduced even more this year, I’m no worse off than when I started the biz only now the rent, phone and software are paid for thru Jan ’11.
Who would have thought the Lord would give one ministry opportunities preparing taxes. Well, we would but…not clerics. It’s kind of a natural when you think about it: people tell me stuff their parents and best friends won’t ever know. It’s a small leap for them to go on into whatever current trouble needs His touch. Since it’s my store (now) my decorations are mostly scripture signs. My car-Bible is easy to see on the shelf behind me. The HS seems to send in a lot of folk who need help that I can offer.
When He took fund raising from me 10 years ago I would not have bet we could have lived decently off of $2-6K/year and not be severely limited. Amazingly, after 10 years of generous sufficiency, I’m still not relaxed about it all!! (o ye of growing faith) I don’t fret or fixate, but then, that’s not my temperament. I tend to be a human “doing” and struggle with rest. I put in for student aid to pay for some accounting classes and applied to do Census work so there’d be a bit more income–you know, house/car insurance, cosmetic dental issues. The car continues to be on the brink and we all know calamity comes but it can’t stay: I’m redeemed.
Do you believe??? My property tax bill came and it’s less than $100 this year! Yes, the neighborhood is not the envy of anyone in the USA. I just pretend I live in a 3rd world mission field most of the time. The garage is way more than most people in Mozambique have, much less the house. I am so grateful for hot and cold running water and indoor plumbing and heat and electricity and internet and garden space and way more room than I care to clean with way more junk than I understand how I acquire.
HE is truly generous. May HE continue to bless you as you serve Him.
Hear Him and obey.
Shalom, Saralou
Hi, SaraLou,
What an amazing story! I, too, am learning to rest in Him instead of squirming and trying to “do” my way out of a situation. 🙂 I just finished listening to Skip teach about Joseph, his submission, and his act of squirming that got him another 2 years in prison (I wonder how often that’s my case. If I’d just be still and wait a little longer I’d make it through, but because I start trying to do it my way and help G-d out I end up making the wait longer.). But, that’s beside the point.
You said that you were “delivered” from fundraising, so I’m not sure if that means you really disliked it, or if it means that He just moved you out of one thing and into another. I am working with a team of people who are trying to start a school in Florida that would teach students based on experiential learning, but would also incorporate a Messianic Jewish system and offer courses with information like Skip provides here (at least that’s my hope, and I’m writing the curriculum). Additionally it would offer a counseling center free to students and their families. It’s a crazy huge concept that will take an act of G-d to get it going. I mention all this to say that we’re in the fundraising stage and don’t really know what to do. None of us are at all gifted in this area. And… I was wondering if you might be able to offer some guidance. We don’t have any money at this point to pay someone, although we could certainly do a percentage of whatever is raised.
I apologize if my request is unwarranted or unwanted, but I thought it was interesting that Skip posted this with the intro that we help each other (not just charitably, but also in doing business). So, I’m throwing it out there. Feel free to tell me I’m nuts. If you want to check out more of what we’re doing, our ever under construction site is http://www.hopeinspirationalschools.com.
Thanks for blessing us with your story! I especially appreciate your reminder at the end of how blessed we are. How easy it is to lose sight of that!
Amanda Youngblood
Good morning Amanda,
“delivered” is the correct word but my application may be oblique. I came to believe that the money my organization spent on raising money would have been better spent on paying me to pray. God opens doors, God changes hearts, God is the one who prompts appropriate charity. I can ask for money all day long but if HE hasn’t prepared the way or sent me to the specific person, it’s like tilling the ground full of thorns and thistles.
I can stir your emotions and teach you how to get people to give. I can teach you a myriad of techniques. But in the end, the question becomes, “Is it ‘good’ or is it “god”? I’d done so many good things, raised millions for so much good stuff…
He brought me to a place where I was beginning to understand that it matters if it’s Him or if it’s merely “good”. That same place is also one where HE provides for that which HE ordains/anoints. I know, with no shadows, that if it’s HIS work, HE will make certain it is paid for.
There’s a scripture that says HE will complete the good work He began in you. We cling to that one for ourselves and our loved ones, right? Will HE not also complete every good work HE begins? Of course. However, when we reflect on the manner in which He completes the good work in our lives, the material provision always seems to be tertiary to what’s going on (the big work of changing our hearts to agree with His heart).
So you see, somewhere I became ruined as a traditional fund raiser. It was a huge blow to my ego be the only person downsized from the last job. It was a place where we were helping lots of people, doing lots of temporal good and a tiny bit of eternal good… and I was raising lots of money…the only person in management justifying my salary. But Father had other plans.
Yes, I’d be glad to visit with you further regarding fund raising. I can give you techniques and methodologies and resources. I can help you explore creative things with you that HE’s put in your hearts to make this vision come to pass.
I can pray with you.
Shalom, Saralou
shalomSaralou@gmail.com
Ah, Saralou,
You have learned the only important thing about fundraising. If God ordains, we pray, He touches hearts and provides. Period. The end. I, too will pray that He give you the knowledge you need and the wisdom to use that knowledge, Amanda.
Saw on your blog that you’re occupied, Amanda. When the phone number on the web page you listed did nothing I quit trying to contact you. Was trying to catch you from my office (where the LD is already paid for ;-). Ball’s in your court.
Beautiful testimony, Saralou! Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord accomplishes His purpose in our lives and how He leads us along as His flock? I was so deeply touched by your witness and I know He is working in and through you and will continue to unfold His plan for you. The listening and hearing is so important isn’t it? And THEN the doing…all things work together for our good and His glory when we trust Him and honor Him in obedience. He has worked in my life in similar ways throughout the last 7 years and continues to prove His faithfulness and trustworthiness to my husband and me. We are not poster children for the health, wealth and prosperity economy, but we are rich toward God and the things of God and in His great mercy and tenderness, He patiently teaches us about the Kingdom’s riches. Bless you dear Sister. Praising the Lord for you and lifting you in prayer!
WORD!!–thank you brother Skip and thank you Saralou. YHWH always gives us (all) what we need, and when we need it. Wow!- once again.. (and again..)- Hallelujah!- What a Savior!
“pray for one another that you may be healed” -(James 5.16)
The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. (Job 42.10)
LORD, teach us to pray..(the Talmudim to Yeshua) Luke 11: 1-4.
-and while He was praying, heaven was opened, (Luke 3.21)