BUT GOD

2020 brought so many challenges like we’ve never experienced before. We didn’t know what God was going to do, BUT GOD exceeded every possible expectation. People have flooded our inboxes with BUT GOD stories. Each story highlighted a challenge, hardship, or struggle, BUT GOD redeemed each and every one. We found each story to be important and encouraging, and we’ve shared some of them here with you. Nothing can stop God’s work!

We don’t know what 2021 will hold, BUT GOD, we know, is faithful. As a church, we will continue to be faithful to what God calls us to do in this next year, and we will move forward in expectation of the BUT GOD moments that are yet to come.

BUT GOD...

BUT GOD USED ONLINE SERVICES TO REACH PEOPLE…

“[The Easter service] really spoke to me. I have been away from God for a while, but am trying to get back to where I know I should be so that I can be an example to my children. Also, my father passed away the Tuesday prior to Easter, and that was my first holiday without him. I woke up in a less than favorable mood, but after watching the service, I felt like everything would be ok, and God would get me through this.”

“I have struggled with my parents, especially my dad, surrounding their faith. This morning my dad watched the Easter service with me, and he text ‘DECIDED’ to the number that was posted. This is such a huge victory for him and Heaven!”

BUT GOD USED PEOPLE TO INVITE…

“I have been remaining hopeful through COVID-19. I was looking forward to returning to work on May 1, however upon hearing yesterday that it wasn’t going to happen, I felt a huge amount of stress and anxiety. Being a single parent is tough, but being a single, unemployed parent is even tougher. I’ve heard of Dollar Club in church on several occasions. I NEVER dreamed that my son and I would be a recipient of this gift and blessing. I’m so very grateful, and I’m so very proud to live and work in such a wonderful community. But most of ALL, I’m glad that so many of my clients invited me and introduced me to Grace Fellowship.”

BUT GOD USED OBEDIENCE & PERSONAL FINANCES…

“A few months ago (before COVID), God led us to make a financial decision that put us in a good place. We wondered what it was for and why we felt so motivated to do it. After that, I felt a strong daily conviction to give more, so we did. Now we’re facing the pandemic, and financial stability is not a worry. But that has also given us the freedom to continue giving generously to help others. Thank you for supporting us in our walk with Jesus.”

BUT GOD USED COMMUNITY AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES…

“Amidst all of the COVID craziness – the world shutting down, toilet paper shortages, working from home, remote school for two small kids, and maintaining long-distance family relationships, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. But day after day, appointment after appointment, and days and days of waiting for answers, God was faithful. He guarded my heart and mind so that they wouldn’t travel down the “what if” rabbit hole. He used relationships that had been established years prior to support me and my family. He used a friend that I had randomly made through serving in NEXT to help me through my actual surgery. I was terrified, but God talked to me through my daily readings and people he placed in my journey. People always commented that I was handling everything so well, but God is who made that possible. He was handling it for me, so I didn’t have to.”

BUT GOD USED DOLLAR CLUB TO ENCOURAGE AND PROVIDE…

“I truly, from the bottom of my heart, appreciate my Grace Family. God’s timing is so right on! I was sitting outside, praying and pleading with God to get us through this trying time of being unable to work and provide for my family. Worrying about the mortgage check I had just put in the mail, heading into week six of denied unemployment because I am an Independent contractor…and then someone from Grace called to tell me I would be receiving assistance through Dollar Club! I’ve been seeing God’s signs to “be patient,” but it’s been so hard getting out of my own mind and trusting Him. Through this, I am confident that God hears my cries!”

“What does being a Dollar Club recipient mean to me? It is God showing off His extravagant love for me. When I was first laid off from work on March 19, I didn’t know what to expect or what was in store for me. But, I know that God provides, just as He always does.”

“This gift card is such a blessing! I am a single mom and work as a dental assistant. We have not worked since March 16 due to COVID, and I was also a full-time caregiver for my mom who recently passed. I am so incredibly humbled! This gift reinforces Jesus’ work through the generous people at Grace. I just want to shout from the rooftops all about living a Jesus-centered life! The generosity from the people at Grace means more to me than I could ever put into words.”

BUT GOD USED RADICAL GENEROSITY TO PROVIDE FOR EVERYDAY NEEDS…

“Our family was greatly impacted by the pandemic, leaving my husband and I both out of work. We have four children and help provide for my 78-year-old mother as well. To say that we were frantic would be an understatement when we had to close the doors to our businesses March 17. My husband was eligible for unemployment, however it was pending with no payment for five and a half weeks, and I am a small business owner who is not eligible for unemployment until May 15. This was such a surprise and a true blessing to our family! It is very hard for us to accept this kind of help, but we know this is coming from God and he hears our prayers and loves us, and so we will accept it and be grateful and so very thankful to you all!! Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”