Trading Faith Blog 2
The last two weeks of January, I started a journey of what I will call “Trading Faith.” It’s Faith that took me out of familiarity during this stage in my life. I had to willingly trade it in for a Faith that took me into God’s prophetic promises for my life. Furthermore, I strongly desired to begin walking out of the “old” into the newness of God’s purposes for my life. Moreover, in this “newness,” I began trusting God with ALL my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Now then, this can be a scary transition nonetheless, but in spite of my fears, by Faith, I started on a path towards my destiny in January 2024.
On January 20, 2024, I was invited to a baby shower for a young lady who was in her mid-thirties who never thought she would be able to get pregnant. She was the daughter of one of my dearest friends until this day. It was on a rainy Saturday in Southern California at a park.
I got there and they had a wonderful taco-truck-thing going. So, after I said hello and as soon as I could, without looking like all I came for is the food, I grabbed my friend and said, “come on let’s eat.” I was concerned that the chefs may not have understood English, and I knew she would make sure I was taken care of. I was the only African American there, but I’m pretty comfortable among most ethnic groups. However, in my experiences non-ethnic groups were not as gracious, nor accepting as others. And I’ve not felt a genuine care or concern for my presence. But the love of God and His Mercy has taught me that [we] are ALL different and [my] light of love must be demonstrated at all times no matter the circumstances or persons. Now getting back to my original narrative….
As we were eating, I asked my friend Mary, where’s Elaine (mother to be) and husband’s family were. She pointed towards a table and told me she would take me there when we finished eating and introduce me to them. When we got to the table Mary did the introductions, and as part of her introduction, she told me that Elaine’s mother-in-law (Benita), had her first child when she was 13, and now had a total of four boys and a couple of grandchildren there somewhere having fun. She mentioned that Benita was the same age as Elaine’s oldest sister. At that point, Benita’s husband must have been standing nearby and introduced himself. He joyfully exclaimed he and his wife had been married for more than 40 years.
I said something like “are you sure you’re not black because you don’t have a wrinkle,” and you sure don’t look like you have grandchildren. Mary than went on to say that Benita decorated and baked most of the pastries by scratch for the desert table. It really looked nice, and I remember thinking what a remarkable lady to have a business, and still be with the same husband for that length of time and she looked pretty darn good.
Mary and I then moved on as she took me around and introduced me to several folks. I stayed about an hour longer and headed back home with a to-go burrito and a few pastries tucked away in a bag. When I got home, I thought about Benita (even though by then I had forgotten her name) and thought what a strong woman. I admired her!
The next day was Sunday, and I got up, got ready for church and drove about a mile from my house. While making a right turn on 120th and Vermont, The Holy Spirit dropped in my spirit to give Benita $500—I was like what? The devil is a liar, and I kept driving and kind-of dismissed the idea. By the time I was turning into the parking lot at church which is on 79th and Vermont, the Spirit said give her $1000. I began thinking this is going to be a LONG day!
I normally watch Transformation Church while getting ready for my church service, so I had “my praise on.” I didn’t need the praise team to get me there I was ready. I walked into church and said to myself “okay Holy Spirit, I’ll give the money.” As I got further into worship, I sensed the Lord say give her $1500 and I thought God stop! I’m not even going to be able to enjoy worship if You keep telling me to give this stranger my money. I’m retired and have plans for the money. As I kept worshiping, I felt the Holy Spirit say, “give her $2000,” and I literally turned around with my back to the praise team, put both my hands over my eyes and just said “what?” I thought God please stop. I won’t be able to enjoy service if You keep telling me this stuff. I said OKAY when I sat down, I wrote down the instructions from Holy Spirit and text Mary to send me Benita’s’ phone number.
When I wrote the Holy Spirit’s instructions, I wrote on a line right above “Logo-3 Mason Jars?” I was kind of playing around in my head of what I wanted included on the logo for Mason Jars Ministry. After I wrote the 2K and looked at that line, God said plant 3K in her life. It will represent $1,000 from you and each or your sons. I then texted Mary (mind you this is all while I am in church service) and asked her to send me Elaine’s mother-in-law’s phone number. I texted Mary and told her that after experiencing what a great baker she is, I’m considering having her make deserts for a party I might give. Mary texted me back right away and said, “I was thinking about you at the very same time you sent me this text.” She then sent me Benita’s information.
When I got the number, I entered it in my contacts under the name of Crazy Faith/Benita and finally got my head back in the service. This may seem like a lot of time has passed given the way I’ve explained it, but from the time I set down after Praise and Worship I would say this all took place less than 5 minutes.
To be continued