Missionary Pat Bates - “BUT, GOD..."

“But, God . . .”

Taken from the book “LOVE STORIES” – written by Missionary Pat Bates

In 1994, Heath and I were privileged to help begin a new church in Oklahoma City. It was Victory Christian Center of OKC, pastured by Mark and Jennifer Crow. There were 12 founding members, of which Heath and I were 2.

I was in the position of being without a permanent job and doing temp work to put food on the table. Heath and I were staying with my daughter, which was not a desirable place for us, and I was getting anxious about getting a place of my own, but the circumstances (in the natural) were not getting me there.

The owner of the temp agency where I was working took me to meet a lady who owned an old house in the historical district of the city. She told me if I wanted the house, “Go ahead and move in, you can pay me later.” So, I signed a lease and moved in without (in the natural) a way to pay the rent. BUT, GOD moves in amazing and wondrous ways. He wanted me to G—R—O—W in faith, and G—R—O—W me He did!

I received Heath’s and my paychecks from the temp agency and paid the November rent, but we didn’t have the $200.00 deposit. The work was dwindling down to nothing, and I fretted until the answer came.

My Pastor’s wife called me and asked me to help a lady who had just moved here from Alaska. She needed transportation to church and a job! I picked her up for church on Wednesday and then took her job hunting on Friday. I took her to Edmond to answer an ad in the newspaper. She went into the building unemployed and came out a nursing supervisor! She then informed me that the place she was staying was an undesirable one and was very oppressive to her . . . we prayed about it and I felt I should give her a place to stay and provide her transportation to and from work until she could manage on her own. She understood we were living by faith and believing God for everything. Although her head knowledge could not comprehend how we could live “such a life”, she was very generous, and paid the deposit on the house, bought my gas and some groceries. She stayed only 10 days and left unexpectedly.

I couldn’t understand why God had orchestrated this situation like He had, but I remembered a verse that says, “My thoughts are higher than your thoughts and my ways are higher than your ways.” Then God said to me, “I have it under control.” You see, hindsight is perfect, and I now see that God knew I was too stubborn to leave my daughter’s house unless I could honor a lease agreement. He had to give me a job at the temp agency just long enough to get me into my house, and then sent Darlene just long enough to supply the deposit and find her a job.

The week before Thanksgiving, we were out of food and I was wondering what I should do. I finally humbled myself before God, and said, “I’ll quit trying to figure it out and I’ll get out of your way so you can do it. I know it is pride to believe that I am in charge of my own ways, please forgive me!” Somehow, I knew God smiled, and probably said, “I think she’s finally got it!”

On Tuesday before Thanksgiving, a friend from church who works at TBN, gave me the name of an independent ministry who might be able to help me find a job. I called “In His Name” ministries and spoke with D. Stribling. He gave me some info on someone who could help. We talked for a few minutes, and just before hanging up, he asked, “Could you use a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner?” I said “YES.” He said that a volunteer from his office would bring it by the next morning. I didn’t even have to pick it up! GOD IS SO GOOD!

Ron Johnson, from “In His Name” came just before noon on Wednesday with the turkey and a large bag from KFC with enough chicken, rolls, corn-on-the cob, slaw and pie to feed an army. I was so impressed with his loving concern for us, I almost wept. From that day until 2 days before Christmas, Ron phoned or came by to encourage us and provide for our needs beyond my imagination. He paid our December rent and our electric bill. He came over and took Heath to job interviews when my car was broken down. He bought the parts to fix my car and a friend from Tulsa repaired it. He called one morning to tell Heath he would be by soon and take him to an interview, and to drop me off at the grocery store. I wasn’t able to buy groceries, so I told him I didn’t have any money to shop . . . he just laughed and said, “You’ll have to read my mind, I wouldn’t take you to the grocery store without giving you some money.” I was overwhelmed to finally see that someone was really “doing” what the word says concerning those in need. You see, he was feeding Jesus! Matthew 25:34-40.

On the way to the grocery store, Heath asked Ron if he would be mad if we bought some dog food along with the groceries . . . (many Christians would be insulted if they gave you money to eat on and you bought pet food with part of it). BUT, God . . . had put Ron in our lives to do whatever he could to meet our needs. He just laughed again and said, “Of course not, Velvet has to eat too.” Then he handed me $140!! I left his car with tears in my eyes.

Ron gave me the name of a church in the downtown area that might help me with my gas bill. I went the next day and waited 3 hours before being called. As soon as the lady asked me what I needed, she went to the door and announced, “No more money today, come back in 2 days.” Isn’t that just like God, to make sure that I was helped? The church called the gas company and was told that “In His Name” had committed to pay whatever was left on my bill after the church paid what they could. I have never met Mr. Stribling, but I believe he and Ron are as close to angels as anyone I have ever known.

When I came home from the church, I found that the water had been turned off. For the first time, I did not fret or worry. I just said, “It is your problem Lord, I can’t do a thing about it.” One hour later, Ron came by to see how we were, and saw the notice on the coffee table. He simply picked it up, folded it, and put it in his pocket. “I’ll take care of this right away.” Then he reached into his wallet and gave me $45 for food.

Maybe this is a good time to interject the fact that I never had to ask for any of the help that Ron gave us. He just knew and met the need. God sends provision before we even know we have the need. Genesis 22:13.

Ron bought us a Christmas tree (God even cares for the little things) and gave us $75.00 for food the week of Christmas.

I had been looking for a job so long (5 months) that I experienced a unique phenomenon . . . everybody knows the best way for you to find a job! HA! I even had a well-meaning lady tell me that I should avail myself of my tax money and get on welfare. I understand she had my best interests at heart, but I know that is not God’s best for me, and I WON’T SETTLE FOR LESS! I believe the welfare system is for people who cannot work. I can work, and I knew God was growing my faith to an incredible size, and it wasn’t to put me in the hands of the government! I was reading my Living Bible one evening and God directed me to the 39^th Psalm, where it states that He will tell me when to stop and rest. I accepted the peace that verse gave me and I knew, that I knew, that I knew God would give me a job soon, knowing that I would continue to rely on Him as my source and not myself, or my job. You see, I KNOW He loves me too much to allow my peace, or provision to rely on things of this world.

We had no money for gifts, but we had the most wonderful Christmas! We knew that God wanted to do something special for us, so we had a birthday party for Him! We invited all the people at church who had loved us with their prayers and love offerings over the last 5 months who God used to meet our needs. We love them all and know God will bless then “exceedingly abundantly over all they could ask or imagine.” WOW!

In December I received a phone call from a man who I had interviewed with a few days earlier, offering me a job as his office manager. What a Christmas present! Thank you Jesus!

If you get into a situation where you seem to be unable to find

The right answers, or unable to change the outcome,

it’s probably because You can’t!!

Don’t be frightened or depressed, or discouraged, just remember . .

. . . .BUT, GOD . . . .

Rev. Pat Bates

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