Blessed to be a blessing
The practice of generosity began at an early age for me; the faith connection came much later. My parents taught and modeled stewardship for us (my siblings and me). All of us, kids and parents, contributed to the offering plate. We were taught that God provides for us in every way, emotionally, physically, financially, etc. but money was not relevant to me yet. It was early and ongoing modeling of God’s provision in other aspects of our living that later translated to monetary provision when it became relevant.As a child, I came to trust and rely on the faithfulness of God when I was upset or lonely or in trouble. God provided for me emotionally. It was relevant to my needs. As I grew older, became a student away from home and developed financial needs, my existing relationship with God grew. The experience of God’s provision in some aspects of my life translated to a trust for monetary provision later when that became necessary.
For a student, money is usually a huge issue. Particularly since you are learning how to manage it all for the first time! It has been overwhelming, but miraculous as well. With no expectations on my part, and by simply doing my best in school and trusting God as best I could, God provided for me in ways that I could never imagine.
Some examples from my student life of God’s blessings and provisions:
- through the gift of scholarships and bursaries, one of which was the Christian Ministries Study Fund established by my church, Wanner Mennonite in Cambridge, Ontario and administered by MFC
- through the wonderful generosity and support of my family
- through God’s interesting way of making opportunities come out of any situation
- people who, remembering the difficulties of being a student away from home, sent me cards with monetary blessings.
One of the easiest lessons to learn (and a powerful one at that) was how giving money away to others can be fun. I am so happy that I have been able to give back, even in some small way, to my church and beyond, like to MCC. Because others have shared with me, I have been able to share more with others. Although trusting in God’s provision is often extremely frightening, and the answer may not always be what I want, I have experienced God’s faithfulness and witnessed first-hand the way God acts and takes care of me. I have confidence that God will continue to do so in the future.
God provides. It just doesn’t always look like it should.
Kim Penner is a graduate of Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is currently pursuing her Masters of Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario.