The Wonderful Ways God Pours Out His Goodness

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I've been thinking about how God pours out His goodness and I just have to tell you about one of the wonderful ways He used in our lives.

Am I the only one who writes a post and then decides it doesn’t work?

I’ve been thinking about how God pours out His goodness. How you and I pour out our hurts, fear, and confusion to God and He pours patience, grace, mercy, kindness, and love into us. The wonderful part . . . through it all He makes it possible for us to pour out to others who are hurting, fearful, and confused.

I wrote, but the words felt about as inspiring as a math lecture.

So, I decided to tell you a story instead.

Wonderful Ways God Pours Out His Goodness

Rev and I bought our first house based on price and location.

We were moving back to St. Louis after spending a year in Columbus, Ohio. About six weeks before moving back we gave ourselves a few days to work with a realtor and do a little “hunting.”

An important part of the story is that I was 28 weeks pregnant and just a little emotional. After looking at only three houses that were definitely not going to work, I bubbled over and the realtor stated, “Well, you’re either going to have to decrease your expectations or increase the amount you are willing to spend!”

More money . . . not an option. And we weren’t looking for a palace just a place to call home.

Later that day, someone Rev worked with recommended a different realtor. Whew! The next day he showed us what was to become our first house. The neighborhood we wanted with a price tag we could afford. A cute little bungalow in South City, St. Louis.

I won’t go into all the details of the move. Nothing goes smoothly right? Just remember that at the time of the move I was only six weeks away from my due date.

Here are the highlights:

  • The movers in Ohio didn’t arrive until 7pm.
  • The truck wasn’t fully loaded until after 10pm.
  • We started driving toward St. Louis after the truck left but were too tired to continue at about 2am. Unfortunately, there was no room in the inn . . . in any inn. So, we stopped for a nap at the next rest stop. Rev slept on the hood of the car. I slept in the front seat with the dog on the floor and my 13-year-old brother (who was along to help us move) slept in the back.
  • In St. Louis, getting a hotel room wasn’t a problem. In fact, we lived in one small room for two weeks because a family tragedy for the seller caused a delay that kept us from getting into the house when we’d hoped. And don’t think meals in restaurants and lazing around by the pool.
  • This pregnant woman was starting to lose it.

We finally signed all the papers late Wednesday afternoon and hurried off to a church softball game with keys in hand…

We shared our first-time home-owner enthusiasm with our friends and invited them to join us after the game for our first walk through.

I wish I had photos of the expressions on our older and wiser friend’s faces. Let’s just say, “Oh no, what have these two kids done,” was going through their minds.

This house needed help.

I've been thinking about how God pours out His goodness and I just have to tell you about one of the wonderful ways He used in our lives.

Wonderful Friends Pour Out God’s Goodness

Before those four families left our home that first night, they told us to choose paint colors and be ready to see them at 9am Saturday morning.

They spent all weekend on patching, painting, and repairing every inch. They turned our “oh no” into our home. They also provided yummy meals covering us with encouragement and love.

I’m sure they all had other things they could have done that weekend. 

Their children ranged in age from 10 to 16. Yeah, plenty of other things to do.

But they dropped everything else . . . to pour out love.

It still overwhelms and humbles us.

God Often Uses People as He Pours Out His Goodness. 

You and I can pour our junk and messes out to a caring loving God. When life throws us challenges and emotions bubble over . . . God sees and hears. We can cry out to Him, trusting that out of love He pours out His mercy and grace on us.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

And gives us everything we need to pour out His goodness on each other.

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Matthew 25:35–36

I've been thinking about how God pours out His goodness and I just have to tell you about one of the wonderful ways He used in our lives.

Yes, because God is good you and I can go to Him with every:

  • Worry.
  • Fear.
  • Complaints.
  • Sadness.
  • Happiness.
  • Grief.
  • Questions.
  • Needs.

And trust He will pour out:

His Grace

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14

His Mercy

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

His Spirit

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:6

His Blessings

Bring to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn so there will be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord All-Powerful. “I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need.” Malachi 3:10

His Love

And this hope will never disappoint us because God has poured out His love to fill our hearts. He gave us His love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us. Romans 5:5

Love, blessings, grace, mercy, and the power of His Spirit. Yes, God pours out His goodness and love into the lives of His people.

And that’s something to celebrate!

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17 Comments

  1. I don’t know what you wrote before, Deb but this story is an absolute treasure. It’s such a great example of God’s goodness and how He loves to lavish us with good things. I’m so glad that He used those kind friends so long ago to share a story that inspires us and points us to Him today!

    Wishing you blessings (and goodness). 🙂

    1. Aw, thank you, Marva! They certainly turned a very challenging situation into something that has blessed us forever. So thankful for the ways God uses us to bless each other.

  2. Deb… I can never thank God enough for his goodness! I am so thankful that He never grows tired of bestowing His goodness to us. What an awesome story you’ve shared here. I have been to St. Lous many years ago as an uncle lived there. You have definitely given us some inspiration to start the week! I hope you have a wonderful week yourself and may God continue to richly bless you and yours!

    1. His goodness is amazing and it flows through His people. We’ve lived in St. Louis for years. We didn’t grow up here but have called it home and loved raising our children here. Many blessings to you as well!

  3. Have I ever written one post and then made the decision to discard it? Oh, yes, indeed! And usually, so very glad I did.
    I loved your story here, Deb. It truly encapsulated what it means to see God’s goodness at work through His people. Thank you for sharing it here today!
    Blessings!

    1. Thanks, Martha! So glad to know I’m not the only one who changes their mind after an afternoon of writing. Thanks for your kind encouragement!

  4. Thanks for being willing to share such a personal story, Deb. I think we can all relate on one level or another to those kinds of situations. They are uncomfortable and take so much faith, but also teach us, as this one did for you, about God’s faithfulness to us! I keep thinking, I need to meet you since you live just over the river from me in Edwardsville, my friend. Let’s figure something out sometime! Thanks for the inspiration at the start of a new week!

    1. I would love to get together for a cup of coffee and a chat. Let’s do that! Thanks for your encouragement! Blessings!!

  5. Kim Jolly says:

    Deb,
    Thank you for sharing how you saw God provide for you. It’s ever so helpful to read/hear stories like this (and recall at least one of my own) while I wait for God’s provision in this season of life.

    God really does pour out blessings on His Children.

    Oh, and yes, I’ve written either blog posts or sermons only to either discard them or hold them to another time.

    Blessings!

    1. So glad to know I’m not alone, Kim! Thanks! And thank you for letting me know this blessed you! Have a great day in the Lord!

  6. I love this story, Deb!
    What a fun testimony of God’s goodness. And, I love that He sent those families to assist you.
    He is good!

  7. Oh wow, Deb! Talk about ‘more than we could ask or imagine!’ Your story illustrates the truth of Scripture in a way we all can grab hold of.

    Blessings to you!

  8. What a great story for your family history book, Deb. We’ve moved a lot and I could probably fill a book with all the ways people have helped us and God has answered prayers about house sales and purchases. I’m glad you went with this post too, although under the right circumstances, I do think it is at least POSSIBLE for a math lecture to be inspiring! 🙂 So glad to be your neighbor at Coffee for Your Heart today.

  9. Deb, what a precious story! That is love in action and Jesus with skin on, for sure! It sure does give us hope when we understand the love of Christ!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

  10. Love this Deb! Love that we can go to God for anything. Nothing is a bother to him!

  11. Our stories bring the most precious life lessons and carry great wisdom down the road for sharing. Reflection is always a gift of God’s goodness. Really enjoyed seeing God move and answer prayers Deb:) And, if you need some writing encouragement, pop on over to Fresh Market Friday:) Crystal!