By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

A few weeks ago, I visited a petrol station near our house around 18:00 that evening. The cheerfulness of the petrol attendant, Lee-Ann, caught my attention. In our chat, I discovered that she had been working from 06:00 that morning and still had to work until 22:00 that night. She confessed that it sometimes got hectic, but that she chooses to constantly remind herself to be grateful for her job as she was now able to buy food for her children. She was just back from maternity leave.

Being a mother myself, her story touched me. I could not stop thinking about Lee-Ann after I left. Something had to be done to help this mother. A few days later I, from Radio Tygerberg 104FM’s side, along with Warren Manuel, manager of Dis-Chem Willowbridge, who came on board on behalf of the Dis-Chem Foundation, and Charlene Mekel of Spar Western Cape's Community Projects, were on our way to the petrol station to surprise Lee-Ann with good news.

Spar Western Cape decided to bless Lee-Ann with gift vouchers of R6 000 and the Dis-Chem Foundation gave her vouchers to the value of R12 000! What makes the story impressive, is that after the announcement of the good news (which had everyone in tears - watch video at the link below), Lee-Ann shared with us that she had nothing in the house to eat that morning. There was also only two nappies for the baby. She used her last money to get to work. "All I could do was to trust God," she said. At that stage, Lee-Ann already, on a regular basis, woke up in the early hours of the morning to spend time with God, begging Him to change her situation. "I trusted God for a breakthrough, but He totally surpassed all my expectations. I'm extremely grateful. "

In 2 Chronicles 16:9 we read: “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” Also in Matthew 6:18 we read: “Then your Father who sees in secret will reward you." And in Job 34:21 we read: “For God’s eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps.”

Did God see Lee-Ann working until 22:00 at night, just to set her alarm for 03:00 to spend time with Him? Did He hear her praises? W\Yes, without a doubt. I was merely an instrument in God’s hands to demonstrate His goodness to a woman with a heart filled with faith. He wants to do it for all of us. Let's be sensitive when He leads us to help someone in need and let's keep our eyes upon Him in our difficult seasons while praising Him for who He is – not just for what He can give us. God bless.

Father God, thank you for Your ability to do miracles. Help me to keep my eyes open in order to be an instrument in Your hands to demonstrate Your goodness to others. And also, strengthening me while I am waiting for a breakthrough to not lose hope. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

• Listen to the announcement of the surprise: http://benescke.co.za/podcast/n-petroljoggie-se-lewe-word-verander/

• See announcement video and photo at www.benescke.co.za or visit the Stories van Hoop Facebook page.

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