A Christmas Miracle: Trusting God's Provision
The aroma of beans cooking on a tiny alcohol stove filled our 21st-floor apartment. It was all we had left—a single bag of dry beans—and the faith that God would somehow provide.
My family and I had recently moved to Curitiba, Brazil, a city brimming with both opportunity and unexpected challenges. My father, sent by an organization to grow their ministry, balanced multiple roles: as a volunteer pastor at the Assemblies of God church and as a Bible seminary teacher. Like many in ministry, he carried the weight of meeting others’ needs while quietly facing our own struggles.
This life of faith isn’t always easy to understand. It stretches you in ways that seem impossible. But it’s in those moments of uncertainty that God shows up.
A Test of Faith
That morning, something unexpected arrived—a $5,000 Visa card. For us, this was an unimaginable sum. My father held it, considering how it could solve so many of our problems: groceries, bills, even a bit of savings. But deep down, he sensed it wasn’t a blessing; it was a test.
“This is a trap, not a blessing,” he said.
In an act of faith, he destroyed the card and turned our needs over to God. His choice reminded us of Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Faith isn’t about seeing; it’s about trusting.
An Answer from Heaven
Later that morning, my mother discovered our gas for cooking had run out. With only dry beans left, she began cooking on an alcohol stove. Instead of despairing, we gathered to pray. My mother’s words were steady and full of conviction:
“Lord, we trust You. We don’t know how You’ll provide, but we believe You will.”
Then the intercom buzzed.
“It’s me. Can I come up?”
A seminary student stood at our door minutes later, smiling and holding bags overflowing with groceries. “Let’s get the rest,” he said.
Downstairs, his car was packed with food. We carried bag after bag into our apartment, filling the kitchen floor with provisions—meat, chocolate, a turkey, and even a panettone, a traditional Christmas bread.
He explained that the night before, he’d had a dream of two supermarket carts overflowing with groceries. When he prayed, my father’s name came to mind. Feeling prompted by God, he went to a supermarket on Christmas Eve, unsure if it would even be open. It was. He filled two carts just like in his dream and brought them to us.
A Night to Remember
That Christmas Eve, we celebrated with tears, laughter, and overwhelming gratitude. The groceries didn’t just provide for one meal—they sustained us for weeks.
Looking back, I see how God often provides beyond what we can imagine. That night, He reminded us that He sees us, even when we feel invisible.
A Lesson in Faith
That $5,000 Visa card could have offered temporary relief, but it would have robbed us of the opportunity to witness a miracle. God taught us a deeper lesson: His provision surpasses anything man can offer.
Faith sometimes requires rejecting the easy way out to experience the miraculous.
This story reminds me of the angels’ announcement in Luke 2:10–11:
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Much like the shepherds who were surprised by the good news, we didn’t expect what happened that Christmas Eve. But God saw our need, just as He sees yours.
Hope for Your Heart
If this Christmas finds you feeling unseen or overwhelmed, remember: the same God who provided for my family is at work in your life, too. The birth of Jesus reminds us that God not only meets our greatest spiritual need but also provides for our everyday struggles with His abundant grace.
Trust Him. Pray. And believe that His provision will come—in His perfect timing.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” – Luke 2:14
May hope, faith, and joy fill your heart today.
