Trust God’s Care (Part 1 of 2)
We headed north by faith, sure that God would work a miracle before we came to the US/Canada border. We encouraged each other, “Even though the Canadian officials said it would take four to five more months, God can do anything! He will send us our permits in the next few days before we reach the border!”
So we drove through great forests, dry wastelands, and along roads where we saw no one for long stretches. Each day, we eagerly checked our email to see if God had worked a miracle. There was nothing.
Finally, the big day arrived! We drove right up to within a mile of the border and stopped and checked our email with great hope and expectation for a miracle.
Guess what? There was nothing!
“What do we do now Lord?” we asked in prayer.
“Put your feet in the Jordan. Go cross the border.” He spoke to our hearts.
Follow Me!
We drove up to the border feeling like fools, parked, and stepped into the crisp, clean office. The official looked over our documentation. “You have no permit from Canada to move here. Where is your permit?” he asked with concern.
“We don’t have a permit yet. We were told it would take four to five more months.” I bravely answered.
“Follow me!” The border control officer said. We followed him outside to the truck. “How far have you come? I hope you still have a home to return to! It is impossible for me to do anything to help you move into Canada without your permit.” He shook his head and walked away. That was all!
We looked blankly at each other. It wasn’t supposed to work like this. We were supposed to put our feet in the Jordan, and God was supposed to part the waters. I silently prayed, God, help! Help us get across this border. We are here by faith in Your command!
The officer immediately spun around and walked back to us, as if he had heard my silent prayer to heaven. “What were you hoping I would do today for your family?” He asked incredulously.
“I don’t know if you believe in God or not, but God has called our family to move to Canada to help families mentor their children to be disciples of Jesus.”
Welcome To Canada
He stared at us, his face impassive. “Follow me!” He ordered.
For one hour, this officer who said it was impossible to get us across the border worked to find a solution. Two hours went by, and he asked one more officer and then another to help him. Three border officers worked tirelessly to find a way we could enter Canada — after stating it was completely impossible in our situation.
After five hours, the officer called from the desk, “MacLafferty family!” We came up to the desk. Thump, thump, thump, we heard as he quickly stamped each of our passports. “Welcome to Canada!”
We were overjoyed! “Sir, I don’t know if you believe in God, but do you mind if I thank God right here for how He used you to be a part of His miracle?” I asked with a great smile. He looked warily to the left and then to the right, lowered his voice, and said, “Follow me!”
He
led us out to our truck and turned to us. I looked
him in the eye and said, “God just did a mighty
miracle through you today!” I could not read his expression.
Haltingly, he shared, “What you don’t know is that I used to believe in God! I have become discouraged lately with God and church and gave up on both. Today I choose to believe in God again. I will go home after my shift and tell my wife what God did today that I know was im- possible. We will believe in God again and make our home a place to worship Him.”
In awe of this living God, we all bowed our heads for prayer. We waved goodbye to the officer and drove into Canada with less than a hundred dollars to spend. We had no home and no job, but God was calling, and we trusted in His care.
Call to Action
Trust God as you follow His call.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman \ Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
