How God Supplies My Need

I want to share how God has been blessing my daughter and I. Back in February my landlord asked if I would consider terminating my lease early. It was supposed to end August 31st. They wanted to put the condo on the market to sell it. I said sure, and started the process of looking for a house. I wanted a 3 bdrm ranch w/a basement for my daughter to have her own space. As the process of looking for a home moved forward, it became evident that I don't make enough money to qualify for the type of home I want. It was disappointing, but reality had to be faced. One day as I was frustrated-ly asking God what to do, I looked out the living room window. The answer came so clearly in my mind "The simple thing to do would be to move across the street". There was an apartment complex directly across the street from us, complete with a pool (which my daughter had looked at longingly the previous summer, since she LOVES to swim).

I was accepted at the apartment complex, gave my landlord 60 days notice, and prepared to move. One week before the move, I lost my main part time job. Who knew this would happen? (God did). Discouraged at the loss of employment, I was nevertheless glad we had a place to live. The deposit was paid and the rent check was covered. The rent, by the way, is $150/month less than before, so terminating my lease early at the old place ended up saving me $300 which, as it turned out was a good thing, considering the job loss. The new apartment is 300 less sq. ft. but feels like more because of the floor plan! The utility bill should be lower since we no longer have 2 stories and vaulted ceilings to deal with. I don't have to wait for repairs, since they have a staff to do them. I now have pest control free of charge. I still have a wood burning fireplace (one of my favorite things!) I have a fantastic view of Pike's Peak from my living room and both bedrooms (another fave!) that's actually better than the view I had before. I have covered parking to protect my vehicle in hail storms (it is hailing right now, as a matter of fact), I have great neighbors, was able to stay in the area of town I've grown to love, and am now in the school district of our choice.

My daughter has a much smaller room, but she now has a pool, sauna, workout room, clubhouse, and volleyball court to share with her friends, so she's hardly ever home anyway! We are at the back of the complex, which butts up against a residential street. There is a break in the fence that runs behind these houses to allow egress to the complex for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, and her very best friend lives in the house directly across from that break. So now, when she wants to go visit at 10:00 at night, all I have to do is walk her past a few cars in our parking lot to that fence break and voila! she's at her friend's house.

I gave away a couch, TV, end tables, pictures, and various other household items to a neighbor before we moved. I stored our dining room table and 6 chairs because we have no room. But, we did have 3 bar stools, which "just happen" to fit perfectly under the extended kitchen counter that serves as a "breakfast bar". I have wanted a leather couch for a long time, but couldn't afford the kind I wanted. I planned to just move with the rocking chair and recliner I had and believe God to fill the couch need. Well, I didn't have to wait! A friend's mom works with someone who was selling a leather couch, love seat and chair, which I planned to buy until I lost my job. The friend's mom ended up getting the entire set for free a week before I moved. It was too big for her condo, so she offered it to my friend, who decided to take the love seat and chair, and give me the couch. IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

I had already promised to give that same friend my daughter's bed for her guest room, as my daughter's new room was too small to accommodate a queen sized bed. I didn't know what she was going to sleep on, but knew God would provide something. Well, the friend who received the bed and gave me the leather couch, also had a foldout Ikea love seat she was going to get rid of, because she now had a leather loveseat. Guess who got the Ikea love seat/bed? Yup, my daughter!

So now we have a new place at a lower rent, my daughter has a love seat/bed that fits in her room perfectly, I have a beautiful leather couch, my friend has a bed for her guest room, and my daughter has a place close to her BFF with amenities she and her friends can enjoy all summer long. It's so cool to see how the family works together to bless one another when we have a mind to, look for ways to give, and listen to God!

My God continues to supply all my need, every time. Am I worried about the job loss? No. I know that God is never late, and He continues to prove His faithfulness to His Word to me every single day. I know He provided this place when I needed it, I am where I am supposed to be, and He will provide the right job as well. And He will NOT be late. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. :)

THE MOON AND I

I watch the moon glide ‘cross the sky

And think how very blessed am I

A child of God, redeemed and loved

Seated in the heavenlies above

No weapon, deed or word can win

Against the risen Christ within

My life, soul, heart and mind belong

To One who’s given me my song

My heart filled with His praises sings

Of all the great and mighty things

My Father in His grace bestows

Upon this child who loves Him so

The moon, the stars, the night bird’s song

A solid path to walk upon

Lit by the lamp of His true Word

My fearless feet will take me toward

The future that He’s planned for me

Bright as the sun it shines indeed

His plans are good and right and true

And so much more than I could do

I smile and watch the moon descend

Another day has reached its end

The moon and I will take our rest

In Father’s arms, with thankfulness

Chere Poole

©Copyright 2014, all rights reserved

Mother's Day 2014

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mudder!

Dedicated to my mother, Dolores May Fitzgerald, a woman of uncommon faith, amazing strength, and a lightness of heart I continually strive for. She inspires me daily, loves me unconditionally, supports me unquestioningly, and always, always has my back.

I love you, mom, and I still hope that I turn out just like you when I grow up. You have always been my biggest fan, most faithful cheerleader, proudest of my smallest accomplishments, a guiding light for me in the dark days, a trusted confidant, a mighty prayer warrior, and my most precious spiritual partner. There is none like you, and I am so thankful God gave me you for the ups and downs. Because of your love and believing in me, even the lowest of the lows have been bearable, and the highs have been sweeter because I got there with your help, whether directly or indirectly, and shared them with you. You are the best, mama. 

MY MOTHER'S LAMP

As I gaze upon my mother’s lamp
Casting its steady flame
I’m reminded of my mother’s love
And its power to sustain

Throughout the years it’s never failed
Never flickered or gone out
Though winds of change
And the storms of life
Have oft tossed it about

My mother’s love shines brightly
With its own special light
Guiding me safely homeward
Through many a friendless night

As I sit and gaze at my mother’s lamp
With its warm, steady glow
I know in my heart
What I’ve always known
And I want the world to know

Though they travel the whole world over
And search forevermore
From the tip of the tallest mountaintop
To the depths of the ocean floor

They’ll not find a love more faithful
Nor a woman more warmly thought of
They’ll not find a flame more steady
Than the light of my mother’s love

Chere Poole
Copyright © 2014
All rights reserved

UNSPOKEN

So much behind those eyes, unspoken

So many deep heart cries, unspoken

Your Father hears them, every one

Because you are His son, and

His love is there for you

So much beauty all around you

Yet the pain seems to surround you

Give it to Him, let it go

Because He wants you to know

His love is there for you

You may think that there is no one

Who understands what is unspoken

No one who sees the pain inside you

No one to stand faithful beside you, but

His love is there for you

He gave His son, who gave his life

You’ve got an ally in the fight

Someone to pick you up when you fall

Someone who willingly gave his all

A faithful love that’s there for you

Your Father knows your thoughts, unspoken

His heart breaks when yours is broken

Give it to Him, let it go

Love Him with your heart and soul

Let Him mend you, make you whole

With His love

He’s there for you

By Chere Poole

Copyright © March 23, 2014. All rights reserved.