I live a comfortable life today. We own a lovely home in a great neighborhood, and we have food in the refrigerator. However, I often remember a time that changed my life and strengthened my faith. Hunger will do that.
It was 1981. I put my three children to bed and knew it was time to reconcile my checkbook. As a single mother, every dollar counted, and saving money was never an option for us.
Before I had children, I worked as an assistant to a bank auditor, so I knew how to balance a checkbook.
We received our pay twice a month, and by the end of each pay period, I usually had about $5.00 left in my bank account after covering my bills and buying groceries.
One late evening, after reconciling my account mid-month, I panicked. No matter how many attempts to balance the numbers, they wouldn’t. I went through each transaction carefully multiple times, but I kept getting the same result. I had $24.21 left in my account to feed and care for three children for two weeks.
Fear and desperation gripped me as I rocked back and forth in my old rocking chair. It creaked under the weight of my sorrow as tears streamed down my cheeks.
Finally, I said, “God, if you will provide a way for me to feed my children, I will go without food myself. I’m not sure how you will manage such a task, but I trust you. I promise not to discuss our situation with anyone. Amen.”
During that time, I worked for a family-owned design business that had no more than nine employees. The staff usually brought their lunches from home, and we would eat in the small kitchen adjacent to the main showroom. However, the owners went to a local diner for lunch almost every day.
The day after my prayer, Mrs. Milam, the matriarch of the family, walked into the kitchen carrying a large basket.
“Lynn, where is your lunch today?” A co-worker asked me.
I made up an excuse as Mrs. Milam began to load the refrigerator. She explained, “I was at the grocery store over the weekend, and they had the best buys on hens. I thought, “I’ll make chicken salad for everyone in the office.”
Not only did she make the most delicious chicken salad, but she also brought bread, cookies, and chips. Had Mrs. Milam ever done that before? No.
There was so much food, it lasted for days. And I ate a lion’s share, so I didn’t need a big meal at night.
With my $24.21, I bought three pork chops, various pastas, tuna, milk, and basic staples I used to create meals for the kids. The children only had cereal for breakfast because bacon and eggs were too expensive.
Amazingly, I don’t recall ever feeling hungry during those 14 days. I do remember nibbling on the pork chop bones the kids left on their plates! Any scraps were mine.
When the bank statement arrived on the day I was paid again, I prayed. According to my checkbook, I had a remaining balance of $1.29 before my deposit.
When I reconciled the checkbook, my balance was $24.21. I double-checked my calculations and found no errors, but I was puzzled as to why the amount was the same as it had been two weeks earlier.
Shouldn’t the balance have been $25.50 after accounting for service charges? I never solved the mystery.
Weeks went by, and one day, while sitting at my desk at work, Mrs. Milam placed a folded $100 bill in my hand. She was on her way out the door to go to lunch when she answered my shocking “Why?”
“I’m not sure why, Lynn, but maybe an angel told me you could use this.”
Too often, people become biased, angry, and judgmental because they lack understanding and compassion for others. Unless we have truly experienced someone else’s life, we cannot fully appreciate their struggles. Those who are wealthy cannot wholly understand the hardships faced by those who have very little. But didn’t the Lord say that the meek shall inherit the earth?
Those who never worry about having enough food may struggle to empathize with those who are desperate for even a few crumbs to survive. Yet, doesn’t the Bible tell us that by feeding the hungry, we are serving the Lord?
As for me, I never viewed those who struggle and suffer the same way again. I never underestimated the power of God and never again doubted what He can do if we only ask.
The angels we hear are there to remind us that God is near and is doing His best to help us help one another.
