For as long as I can remember, I wanted to work in the publishing industry. I was in fifth grade when the love of writing took root in my heart.

But God had a different route mapped out for my life. I got a degree in elementary education, taught school for four years, worked for a real estate advertising company for about seven years, and worked as our church secretary for fifteen years. And His plan was good. Perfect. My education background served me well when it came time to homeschool our children and when Jonalyn came into our family with all of her special needs. My job in the advertising business helped finance two adoptions. And working as our church secretary provided me the flexibility I needed at times to care for my family in the best way I could.

My dream never died, though. I started writing, and started getting serious about writing. For a while, my husband and I talked about my leaving my job. It was scary to yank away the safety net we’d depended on for all of those years. We have a daughter on the brink of college!

The writing jobs piled up. I signed a contract for a new novella collection. I have several other projects in the works. All year, I’ve been taking editing classes and am getting a steady stream of clients. The work piled up. Sure, I only went into the office on Fridays, but that meant one less very precious writing day for me.

When it came down to it, we needed to take the proverbial leap of faith. Step off the edge of the cliff and pray that God would catch us.

And He has. The very day I handed in my resignation, there was an email in my box from a prospective client. I got that editing job. Other jobs followed soon after. I’ve completed most of them, so yesterday, my prayer was that the Lord would send me at least one more client. Instead, I got an email from someone asking me to write an article for them. Again, He provided on the very day I asked Him to. (Yes, I’d still like to take on at least one more client, if you’re interested!)

Does He always answer in this way? No. I don’t want to give the false impression that the Lord will give you whatever you want if you ask for it. That’s not the way He operates. He’s not the big Santa in the sky. Sometimes, He says no. He’s said that to me many, many times. Then, I need to learn to lean on Him and trust Him. Sometimes, He says wait. Or He’ll give a different answer to my request than I expect.

That’s the one thing God is – faithful. Dependable. Trustworthy.

That’s the important lesson I’m learning on this faith journey. No matter what, He is always there. I can count on Him. Even when He says no, I can rely on Him to do what is perfectly right for me at that time in my life. There will be times of struggle. There will be times of discouragement. But there will also be times of amazing provision at the perfect moment.

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm [84:15]

How have you seen the Lord provide for you?