This week I have a special praise report... One that on paper does NOT sound like it is worth a praise. But looking at things outside the box, realizing it could have gone very different had I not been in tune with what kept ringing in my ears...
[SN: for those of you who swear out you have never heard God speak... ever been at a stop sign... had a "feeling" that you needed to go down a different road... leave the house, and think... something isn't right, and go back to realize you left something on, or hadn't lowered the garage door, or didn't lock the door... or about to enter the highway, and think, let me take an alternate route... only to realize you avoided a bad accident, or major traffic... Getting ready to turn in a project, and you think... let me look over this one more time (despite the fact you've reviewed it 100 times already), only to find a major mistake that could have cost you... my point is, when you tune into that "something told me" "feeling" "gut instinct"... because He (God) created us, He lets us know when we need to do something that will keep us from danger, or improve our present state... and in most cases seem simple or ridiculous, but will be that basic thing that takes us to the next level!... More on this another time.]
I was with a friend who was checking on her financial aid for this last semester that we should have at school. The system had changed the semester we entered our program, and she and I started at the same time. Regulations emphasized actual classroom hrs instead of whether we were enrolled and attended class. This meant if you had financial aid that you were granted, or had applied for a loan, until the hours required for each semester were met, no funds could or would be released.
I had done my due diligence (so I thought)... I had applied for a scholarship early, met with my financial aid folks every 2 to 3 weeks to ensure I hadn't missed anything that needed to be done prior to my last semester, and I altered my schedule to go to class during the day and night to boost my hours needed. But I clearly heard God speak to me... go check on your financial aid... I've been checking on it... and looked online, I've met every guideline, crossed every T, dotted every I... but I didn't miss a beat, I made time and sat in the office.
ShaneQua... you won't have what you need for school... Ah... school starts Monday... what will I need?... She goes on to explain the new system... and that despite all my EFFORTS... the best she could offer would be to come up with half of my tuition by Monday, and apply for a discretionary loan to cover the difference! Determined not to be discouraged... I told my friend who sat beside me, we were too close to the finish line... we know that God has already met this need, and that we just needed to relax.
That was Wednesday, school starts Monday... I was emotionally overwhelmed, but committed to the knowledge that my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:19]
Thursday, I heard God speak to me again... check your mail (something I don't do daily, and have often skipped a week)... the only letter in the box... a letter from my school... congratulations, we have selected you for a scholarship in the amount that I needed to start school on Monday!!!
Be encouraged, the best is yet to come! Much love, ShaneQua
