How God has provided for me

Written by Caitlyn Windham

Dear Future Intern (or the random person reading this),

My name is Caitlyn Windham. I’m one of the current interns that started in September for Children Bible’s Ministries. Also (fun fact) I’m part of the youngest team of interns. I pray that God can use this letter to help you on your journey.          

How are you? Been busy? I would think so, seeing as I’ve been in your shoes. You get up, work all day or sit in class, which then has homework due in less than a week. By the time you have free time you’re so tired from the long day’s activities that you just wanna lounge around, be lazy, look at your phone, watch a movie, hang out with fellow interns, or anything else besides more work. And that’s only during the week. On weekends, you need to do grocery shopping along with the rest of the interns. Also, since you couldn’t find time in the middle of the week, laundry has to be done. Let’s not forget the occasional emotional breakdowns. I’ve only had a small one so far. It was during the week we had volunteers come and help us fix up the property. I was already feeling stressed, then I did a horrible job cleaning a cabin (missing pieces of trash, not wiping surfaces well, etc.). So I just called my mama and sobbed from all the stress. At some point, you (yes you) might even wonder why you even agreed to do this in the first place? The girl (me) telling people to “Join the chaos” probably should have been your first warning. But hang in there. 

At some moments, you might think there’s too much on your plate. Sometimes I think the same thing. How can they expect me to do everything? I want to relax during my breaks, not work on more homework. The phrase not enough hours in a day really applies in this situation. Kind of ironic really. One of the reasons I didn’t want to go to college was because of assignments and here I am doing assignments (while also semi-stressing out about them). It could be worse though. I could be taking math classes. 

But somehow, by the end of the day, you get everything done with time to spare. You begin to see God slowly but surely change you and those around you. You’re actually writing about your Bible reading rather than just quickly reading it and being done. If you get stuck when writing one of your papers, fellow interns can help provide feedback, or at least lend a listening ear, along with some helpful encouragement. Tithing every month begins to produce little blessings, even if you don’t see them at first. One week it might be free meals. Another might be a little extra money in your paycheck from an unexpected donation. 

It’s the little things that God does that helps in extraordinary ways. You see, I don’t think I ever saw, in the moment, how God provided. I would almost always see it after the fact. I remember one week where I was running low on food and I had used all my budgeted money. Know what happened? The next week, meals were provided. As a kid, I always wanted to explore and discover so many places I never thought I’d be able to. Throughout this internship, God has allowed me to see the Milkyway (without a telescope or via picture), went to a live bluegrass jam (really cool country music), as well as a large waterfall (the kind you’d see in movies or read about in books). And almost always, after the fact, I would remember that I wanted to see those things as a kid. God had a plan all along to fulfill my dreams, I just didn’t see it yet. 

Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” (HCBS) If God can provide for little birds, He can do so much more for us, His children. One of my favorite missionary stories is of George Müller. He ran an orphanage in England back in the late 1800s. One day the orphanage ran out of food for breakfast. When told this, George simply asked the children to pray to God, asking Him to provide. Not long after they prayed, a baker knocked on the door, telling George that he couldn’t sleep last night because he felt like the orphanage didn’t have any bread. So he got up at 2 am and began to bake bread for them. George thanked the baker for his generosity and, not long after he left, there was a second knock. When he answered, this time it was the milkman explaining that his cart broke down right in front of the building. Not wanting the milk to spoil, the milkman offered the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it. Not only did George Müller have faith that God would provide but the children also did too! But George didn’t always have faith like this. Long before he became a Christian, George went completely against God’s will. Once he trusted Jesus as his LORD and Savior, he began to follow what God’s will was for him. George left his home country to serve Him. When we seek God’s will first as Luke 12:31 tells us, He will supply our needs in everything. 

So, as I end this letter, I pray that God can use this to grow you in Him. Keep seeking after His will and He’ll supply your needs. If wondering how to find God’s will, try praying. Just as importantly, read His Word. If you didn’t already know, scripture is always an excellent place to seek God’s will. As Matthew 6:31, 32 tells us, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”(ESV) Until the next time, may the LORD bless you and keep you. 

Sincerely,

Caitlyn Windham 

Caitlyn is a part of the CBM Internship program, which exists to encourage young people to experience missions! To learn more about the CBM Internship program click HERE.

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