Thursday thoughts: 'The rest of the story'

Some of you are probably not old enough to remember Paul Harvey. He was a famous radio broadcaster and commentator. I can remember hearing him on the radio and seeing him on the news. He always signed off the same way: "And now you know...the rest of the story."

I felt led to share the rest of a story I told a little of last week. I told you about how several years ago God answered a prayer, providing $3,000 from someone we had never even met to help pay for some of the monthly cost for our daughter's care.

Here are a few other ways God provided for Missie and us when we moved her to the new care facility. We realized we would have to provide bedroom furniture for her at the new location. We decided to look on a social media marketplace where people sell items. My husband found a really nice queen bedroom set. He messaged the lady who was selling it to inquire about the price. She started out fairly high and then, during the conversation, dropped to an amount we thought we could handle.

The blessing came when some friends of ours who were also going through a life change and test asked if they could help contribute to what we needed for Missie. My response to them was that my heart was touched by their offer, but I knew they were dealing with an issue where they might need the extra money. I wanted them to know what a blessing the offer was and how much it meant to me. I also wanted them to know that I cared about them and wanted them to take care of themselves as well.

Then came the text that said, "Please let us help because we feel like this is the Lord just asking us to be obedient." I knew I had to say yes. They gave us an envelope with some cash in it without knowing the cost of the furniture we needed to buy. The money they gave us was exactly the amount the lady was asking for the furniture. We had no idea this was coming, but God knew.

The next day, when I got the mail, there was an envelope with a note card. The note said, "I saw a post about Missie and the expense involved with her new housing. I hope you will accept this gift of love in honor of my son. I hope this contribution will lead to comfort for you both." Inside that card was a check for $1,000. The young lady who sent the note had cheered with our daughter Amy back in high school. Her child with special needs had passed away. In his honor, she has set up a foundation to bless those in need out of their love and in memory of her son. We had no idea this was coming, but God knew.

God continues to be so present in our story and journey with Missie. I can say that it is not easy. There have been times when my faith has been as small as that mustard seed and even wavered. I can also tell you I can look back on these stories and many other situations in our lives and see over and over how God has provided.

There is a song that says, "God is in this story. God is in the details. Even in the broken parts He holds my heart, He never fails." God is in my story, and He is in your story as well. The "rest of the story" is still being written.

Every line, paragraph, and chapter: God is there. His love, mercy, provision, grace, and love are too good not to share "the rest of the story."

Isaiah 46:4 says, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you, and I will rescue you." He IS the rest of my story!

___