I had a meeting on yesterday, that lead to a conversation about my finances. I have been unemployed from a 9 to 5 job, for quite some time now. I haven't punched a clock in a minute or two, but have been using the knowledge that God has given me, and that which was acquired during my higher learning education (proud graduate of Temple University Fox School of Business - Yay!), to be self-employed. She was quite perplexed and continued to ask me how was I able to survive and maintain a home and bills during this economy without the assurance of a security net, or a traditional job. At first, I could only answer her from a secular point of view, but truthfully, the answer didn't lie in this world system, but a heavenly authority.

Business is not always booming, and my bank account doesn't always show the numbers that I need, but it is something about the favor of God that will sustain you, and cause people around you to baffle and wonder.  About four years ago, I was struggling ridiculously. My bank account was in the negative, my car was up for repossession, insurance was cancelled, bills were falling behind and continuing to pile, and I felt like I had no where to turn. I was in a financial rut. I was in an unfamiliar place that I didn't know how to escape. I was so low, the only thing left to do was to give up...and give it to God.

I waited on the Lord and allowed my faith to work. I didn't allow my daughter to see the pain I felt, instead, I only allowed her to see my praise and worship to God, in church and at home. I didn't share my circumstances with friends or family, they only saw the usual happy, jolly, silly me. I can't tell you why I didn't share it with anyone, because I really don't know. I think I was so perplexed at my current situation and how I had gotten there, I didn't know how to reach out. I can't tell you exactly how it happened, but it did; things began to turn around in my favor. My landlord stopped by my home for a service call and he noticed a birthday card on my table. It was my birthday card. After he found out my birthday recently passed, he told me his birthday gift to me was one month's rent. I didn't have to pay rent for the following month! Whoa, did that money come in handy. Then after that, other things began to fall in place. We never missed a meal, not one utility was shut off, my car was not taken, and I was able to gradually build my bank account back into the positive. It all started with faith and God showing me His favor.

That was an extremely difficult valley experience for me, because I had never, ever felt that low and without in my entire adult life. I didn't have a job and I didn't have any income coming in for several months. It took that low experience to teach me to truly live on faith and not by sight. It is one thing to say we have faith, but until we are tested and proven by the words we profess, it means nothing. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). God performed a miracle in my life, He proved to me, that my job may have been a resource for money, but He is my source for life. His favor is remarkable and unexplainable. Never in a million years, did I expect my landlord to withhold an entire month's rent of nine hundred plus dollars. God is in total control.

From that time forward, I have not doubted, but only believed and lived off of the faith and gracious favor of Jesus Christ. No, I don't sit back and wait for things to fall in my lap, I work. I started my business, I invest my money and time more wisely, I don't depend on this world system to save me. James said, "Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18). Work your faith, because faith works.