Carrie tiptoed down the hallway and peeked into the bedroom. A shaft of moonlight lit the golden curls in the small bed where Ella lay, thumb in mouth. A sliver of peace worked its way into Carrie’s heart. She was doing the right thing. She knew she was. So why was this so hard? She closed the bedroom door, settled on the sofa, and sent up a prayer. It was all she had left.

            “Lord, You know I’m doing my best to follow You, even now that you’ve taken Jimmy from us.” She opened her eyes and searched out the picture on the end table. There was Jimmy, decked out in full uniform. Killed just a month before his tour would end. One month before he’d be home for good. Now Ella had to grow up without her daddy. Carrie sucked in a breath and continued.

            “I know You love us, but it’s hard. The pension used to be enough, but now that they’ve raised the rent, I don’t have enough to buy groceries, and the fridge is getting empty. Please, God, help us.”

            The next morning, while Carrie and Ella were in the middle of an art project, the doorbell rang. Carrie opened it to find her dear friend Jennie and her daughter Taylor.

            “I hope you don’t mind we stopped by,” Jennie said, an enormous box in her arms.

            “Of course not,” Carrie said, as Jennie set the box on the table. Taylor ran to Ella, and the two girls giggled together.

            “What are you working on?” Jennie asked.

            “Oh, just an art project. It’s a simple idea I cooked up for Ella.”

            “Can I make one?” Taylor asked.

            “Of course,” Carrie said. She dug through her supplies and set out everything Taylor needed. Soon the girls were happily creating.

            Carrie turned back to Jennie. “What’s in the box?”

            Jennie opened the cardboard flaps. “I’m not sure whether you’re interested or not, but I thought I’d give you first dibs before hitting the food pantry. Steve’s garden is working double-time this season, and we can’t eat all this food. I’m not sure what he was thinking. There are only four of us, not forty.” Jennie pulled out seven or eight zucchini, a few eggplant, two bags of tomatoes, a container of green beans, a dozen ears of corn, and a bag of peaches.

           “He grew all this?” Carrie said.

           “He did. He bought the plot of land behind our house just for his enormous garden. The peach tree and the apple trees were already there. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of apples to share in a month or two.”
            “Thank you so much,” Carrie said. “This all looks fabulous.” Her mouth started watering at the idea of all this fresh food. Just when the fridge started to empty, God provided. Still, she couldn’t expect someone to show up every week with the food they needed. There had to be a bigger plan. Still, she’d trust God to keep his promises.

            “One more thing. I made a ton of zucchini bread, too. My girls love it, so I thought maybe Ella would.” She handed Carrie two loves.

             Carrie inhaled the scent of cinnamon. “It smells wonderful, Jennie. How can I ever repay you?”

            Jennie waved a hand. “I don’t want you to repay me. I want you to take all this food off my hands.

            Tears pricked the back of Carrie’s eyes at the unexpected gift. She swallowed hard. “Thank you.”
            “Don’t mention it,” Jennie said. She turned to the table where the girls worked on their project, and her eyes widened with interest.

            Carrie turned away and wiped her eyes on her sleeve while Jennie’s attention was on the girls. How could she ever have doubted? God kept his promises.

            “This art project is so creative,” Jennie said. “Have you ever thought about teaching?”

            “It’s my dream to be an art teacher,” Carrie said. “I hope to be able to find something when Ella is old enough to start school.”

            “Our home school co-op is looking for an art teacher now,” Jennie said. “We have several families who’d like to add art to our program, but none of the parents are gifted in that way. It’s not a lot of hours, but you’d get to do something you love and make a little extra money along the way. Would you be interested?”

            Carrie’s heart kicked up a notch at the idea. Of course she was interested, but it wasn’t time yet. She blew out a breath in frustration. “It sounds perfect, but Jimmy and I were adamant I would stay home and raise Ella. I don’t want to put her in day care while I work. God has blessed that commitment so far. I’ll get a job in two years when she starts kindergarten.”

            “Ella wouldn’t have to go to day care,” Jennie said. “Most of the classes have students of different ages.” She nodded to where the girls were working on their art projects. “She’s capable of sitting quietly and working. She clearly loves it. She would come to the classes with you.”

            “Do you really think I could do it?” Carrie asked, allowing the idea to take root.

            “You’re one of the strongest women I know,” Jennie said. Many women would have curled up in a ball after losing their husband the way you did. You’re a woman of faith, you’re good with children, and you’re good with art. You’re qualified in my book.” Jennie reached into her purse and pulled out a few twenties. “I’ll tell you what. Go buy whatever supplies you need. I’ll speak with the other families and gauge how many are interested. By the end of the week, I’d be shocked if you didn’t have two or three classes to teach. I’ll set up a meeting with the other members of the board.” She lay the money on the table next to the food. “Now let’s help the girls with their art.”

                                                                                             ****

          Carrie smoothed the curls from Ella’s forehead and kissed her goodnight. Settling on the sofa in the same place she cried out to the Lord the previous evening, her heart was full. She’d taken the money Jennie gave her and bought art supplies at the discount store and used the remainder to stock up on staples for the pantry. The bounty from Steve’s garden gave them an amazing dinner, and they’d have plenty to spare for the next several days. Not only that, Jennie had called later and brought Carrie to meet the other members of the home school co-op board, and after telling them of some of her ideas, they hired her on the spot. She wouldn’t be rich, but they could cover the rent and groceries with a little to spare, and that was all she needed. A tear rolled down her cheek, but this time it was a tear of joy. Her heavenly Father was listening, and He loved her.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

 Dear Heavenly Father, You promised to take care of us, and You always keep Your promises. You will never leave us nor forsake us. While all else around us may fail, You are our constant. What a blessing to trust in You! Please help us listen to Your gentle nudging, so that one day we might be the hands and feet You use to bless those around us. Please open our eyes to the opportunities You have for us. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.