Beyond Comprehension

Sis Dang Collado, with husband Je-R, 

children, Angelo & Angela

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, that you may have hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

At this very moment that I am writing this, uncertainties are around me. There’s my anxiety over job security which has an effect on our ability to pay up loans, provide for our children, and pay for monthly bills. Being a mother, anxiety is more challenging to handle. You’ve got children who are dependent upon you and I know mothers can relate to this. (Not that I am saying fathers are not bothered, with moms it is just more obvious ;) )

But then, when I look back and see how the Lord has provided for us, I feel ashamed being so anxious over these things. Let me just share a few events in our life which shows how the Lord has always been faithful to his promise.

When I was pregnant with my first child, there was a threat of termination from work, but the Lord did not allow that to happen. Faced with new responsibility to provide for the coming baby, we knew we need to have a budget for the baby. During those times, members from the community who are our family in this foreign land graciously shared what they have for the new baby- strollers, clothes, and many others. We saved a good amount financially.

And then soon after giving birth to my daughter, Angela Rachael, I learned that I was pregnant with a new child- a son (my daughter was 4 months old). That time, I was given a salary raise, talk about God’s perfect timing! And this does not stop here. By the time my son- Angelo Raphael was born, new anxieties arose, a reliable nanny to take of my two children, the need to have more to provide for both of them and still save for their future. Endless, I was thinking back then. But time and again, the Lord is always there to pat me in the back and say,” I’ll take care of you and your family.”

We sought a nanny whom we can trust, my auntie obliged but we cannot sponsor her due to the same-nationality-cannot-sponsor rule here in Kuwait applies. The Lord’s answer, He touched the heart of a brother and sister in the community and they offered to sponsor my auntie, with no other fees. You can just imagine the time it will take from them to get that done, but they willingly helped us out.

Then just last February, 2012, an opportunity to purchase a house came, it was a small but decent house (rent-to-own scheme). My husband and I prayed for it and as we say, if it is for us, the Lord will allow us to proceed with it smoothly. And it was as smooth as silk. We completed the down payment through a bank loan (which we prayed for also). This decision we made in spite of the uncertainties now in my workplace. Our company is restructuring and is thinking on relocating in some other country. (By the way we received increment allowances also to be paid this March, 2012.) You can just imagine how these thoughts run wild in my head- threatening my sanity! If I get terminated where will I find the same job with the same salary, how I will pay the loan, the house amortization, etc.

While it seemed like an endless mind torture, the Lord whispered to me this morning and said, My child, let me take care of it. I have given you these things and I will lead you how to manage, just LET ME show you. I would not trade this assurance for anything in this world. It was beyond my human comprehension. No matter how meticulously I fumble over the calculator and my budget ledger, no human comprehension will justify calmness over adversity and uncertainty.

Lord, I am overwhelmed by your abounding grace and love. Thank you for being my Jehovah Jireh. I will always keep in my heart your promise and know in the silence of my heart that You will always take care of my family as You always have. Indeed You know the plans you have for us, plans for us to prosper and not to harm us, that we may have hope and a future.

All glory and praise be to You, Oh Lord!

Sis. Dang Collado, CFC Kuwait