“Things that at times appear to have no workable solution are often surprisingly resolved in ways we would never imagine.”

April 2021
“Things that at times appear to have no workable solution are often surprisingly resolved in ways we would never imagine.”
~Curtis C. Thomas
I remember when I was pastoring North Bridge Baptist Church in Illinois.  I was halfway through my doctoral program when the financial aid office called me and said, “Michael? I am sorry to tell you this; but you do not have any more financial aid available. If you don’t find another way to pay for your tuition, you won’t be able to return next semester.” 
I have to be honest; I was distraught.  I didn’t know what to do. 
But I remember kneeling down at my bedside one night, praying, “Lord: If it be your will for me to finish my doctoral program, please make a way.” 
A few months later, after wrestling within myself over the matter, I had decided that I would just dropout of the doctoral program.  One Sunday morning, after I finished preaching, I walked into my office and took a seat behind my desk to finish up some paperwork.  My mother walked into my office and sat down in the chair in front of my desk. 
She said, “You did good today, son!” 
Then she looked around my office at my books and blurted out, “How’s the doctoral program going?”
I responded, “Well, mom! I have run out of money so I won’t be able to finish. I am going to have to dropout.”
She went on to say, “No. Don’t dropout. I’ll write the check for your tuition every month, until it is paid in full.”
And let me inform you that my mother kept her word.  Every month she wrote a check to Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School until my tuition was paid in full.  For some, they would call this a coincidence; but as for me, I call this an act of God and an act of faith.  My mother had never asked me before how the doctoral program was going; but for some reason God placed it on her heart to do so that day. 
I few months ago, I was riding in the car, listening to the radio.  A song entitled Have A Little Faith in Me by John Hiatt came on.  The lyrics were as followings:
When the road gets dark
And you can no longer see
Let my love throw a spark
Have a little faith in me
And when the tears you cry
Are all you can believe
Give these loving arms a try [child]
Have a little faith in me.
It’s almost like I could hear God speaking to me while listening to this song, saying, Just have a little faith in me. 
Let’s be honest for a moment; life can be challenging at times.  It has its fair share of ups and down; peaks and valleys; and highs and lows.  As we are traveling this road of life, it can feel as if we are driving down a dark road with low hanging fog blocking our vision.  When you find yourself in this situation, let me encourage you to just have a little faith.  Have a little faith that all things will work together for the good.  Have a little faith that what’s meant to be will be.  Have a little faith that what doesn’t kill you just simply makes your stronger.  And have a little faith knowing that God will never leave you nor forsake you on this journey called life. 
Just Have A Little Faith;
 
 
Pastor Michael L. Sloan