10 goudes = 15 cents

Well, today it does. The completely insane exchange rate from US to goude is currently a disaster, but that is not what this is about. So, if tomorrow 10 goudes = 10 cents don’t burn me at the stake.
Anyway, 10 goudes is what my friend gave in the offering at church yesterday. He arrived at our home, dressed to the nines, and the first words out of his mouth were, “I gave 10 goudes in church today.” Now, to understand the significance of this you need to know that the evening before, I gave him 25 goudes to buy a snack before church. He set aside 10 so he could give. A child who has very recently known hunger, real hunger, set it aside to give it away. If you knew the depth of the grief in his story, you would empty your piggy bank to ensure he never sees even so much as discomfort again. No one asked him to give. He decided to joyfully give out of what had been given to him.
I am undone.
I have been reminded over and over again this week who my source really is. Where my help really comes from.
Like it says in Psalm 121: 1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
The young man who gave all he had yesterday, knew that he was covered. He knew that we were standing alongside him and that he could give confidently, knowing that all he needs would be provided. He ultimately trusted God enough to not horde in panic, when I am quite sure I would have.
A friend of mine had her home, here in Haiti, struck by lightening yesterday. When the strike occurred, all TV’s on the compound they had slowly collected and brought to Haiti were wiped out. Their internet system that have slowly pieced together was fried. Half the panels on their roof were destroyed. I sent her a message today and just said I was so sorry. She said, “For what?” I said, “Ummm, your home was struck by lightening.” “Oh yeah. I mean se la vie nan Ayiti!” Which means, “That’s life here.” When I pressed a little, because, well in my opinion, she should be sad, she said, “I was just convicted that I was too spoiled and shouldn’t be so upset.”
I am undone.
Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Contentment is really the issue. Trusting the source is really the issue. Whether it’s 10 goudes in the offering, or crappy internet, or our career, or any number of a million of other huge and tiny things, the issue boils down to my contentment with what I have and how much I really trust God with what I need.
I am learning from friends today. To not hold too tightly to any THING, but to hold steadfastly onto the promises of God. To know that even when it’s my last 10 goudes, that God is standing with me. I can be confident that He will provide and I can learn to be content with what I have.

My devotion today, because God knows I need to hear things 14 million times before I learn, talked about a family that went on safari in Africa. They were determined to see the “BIG 5.” A lion, an elephant, a leopard, a cape buffalo, and a rhinoceros. On the last day, having seen all but the rhino, one member of the family looked so intently for it that he missed all the beauty around him for the whole day. So many times God provides the “BIG 4”, but we waste our energy searching for the thing we are missing instead of enjoying what we have.
I can give away my last 10 goudes because, I do not stand alone. I can be content with what I have because I am spoiled with the “BIG 4”, and don’t need to waste my time longing for what’s not mine.
I can trust my unknown future to a God who is faithful and has been oh so good to me. We can trust God with America, with Haiti, with our families, with our finances, with COVID, and with ALL of it. The “BIG 5” or the fried solar panels. He stands with us and we can GIVE and LIVE without fear of tomorrow. Praying this is an encouragement to you today. Praying that we can take our eyes off of what is missing, and onto all we have and most importantly, onto the God who stands beside us.
Luke 12:25-26 “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
…and Amen. As a tired mama, who didn’t sleep much last night because of worry, I needed this reminder. Thanks to God I’m feeling so much better, and now I need a nap.