By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

A few days ago, I sat with a lump in my throat listening to a testimony of Cathleen Valentine, a single mother in the Cape Peninsula, about God's provision. Here's an excerpt from the testimony (listen to the full story at the link below).

At the start of the school year in January, Cathleen had a big problem. Even though she had place in school for her children, she did not have money to buy clothes and stationary. "It left me feeling extremely depressed," she said. She kept pouring her heart out before God, trusting Him for a miracle while her children stayed at home for the first two days of school. On the third morning of school, Cathleen got up, washed her face and went into her children’s room. They were still sleeping.

With tears flowing over her cheeks, Cathleen prayed to God. She begged Him for a breakthrough and asked Him to show her what to do. She was ready to go and beg for money on the street. Her children had to go to school!

Still in prayer, Cathleen thought about a specific woman she met weeks before at church, but they didn't really know each other. Cathleen decided to call her. Even though the woman was not able to help her, she said that she would find out who could help.

After the conversation, Cathleen prayed again: "Father, you are a just God. You are great and almighty. You are the Sovereign, Holy God. Nothing is impossible for You. This morning I ask You that You will make a way that my children would be able to attent school on Monday.”

A few minutes later, Cathleen's phone rang again. She wiped away her tears so the caller would not hear that she was crying. It was an unknown woman. She told Cathleen that the first woman she called told her about Cathleen’s situation. She asked Cathleen to meet her at a specific point.

Cathleen could never guess that this benefactor would pick her up and drive straight to PEP stores, where she bought brand new clothes for each of Cathleen’s children. Still in tears, Cathleen ends her story by saying: “Who would have thought that God would use a lady that doesn’t know me at all to buy my children more than what they need? This is what this Holy Great God can do for us! All glory to Him!”

In 2 Chronicles 16: 9 we read, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” And in Proverbs 3:27 it is written: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

Did God see Cathleen sitting next to her sleeping children with tears? Did He touch the woman's heart that drove down and helped Cathleen? I'm convinced of that. Let us keep our eyes on this great, sovereign God we serve. And let’s be obedient when He guides us through His Holy Spirit to demonstrate His love to those in need! God bless.

Father God, thank you for being my Provider. Help me keep my eyes on You in difficult times, but also help me to keep my eyes open for those who suffer so I can help them. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Listen to Cathleen's full testimony here: http://benescke.co.za/podcast/god-voorsien_n-getuienis-van-cathleen-valentine-n-enkelma/

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