by Matt James

 

Life has a way of throwing the most surprising twists at you just when you think you’re prepared. This past month, my wife Haylee and I had been looking forward to an exciting work trip to Paris, France. With all the arrangements made and plans set, we were ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But as we would soon find out, God had more than a few unexpected lessons on his faithfulness and provision planned for us.

 

Our journey to Paris started with high hopes, but almost immediately, things didn’t go as planned. Just as we were set to board our flight, a mechanical issue delayed us by three hours. Finally, after a long wait, we boarded—only to sit on the runway for two more hours while technicians attempted to “fix” the issue. Then came the announcement that no one wants to hear: the flight was canceled!

We were instructed to return to the airport by 5:00 a.m. the next day for a new flight scheduled for 8:00 a.m., so we made the late-night trip home, hoping to catch a few hours of sleep. But just when we thought we could relax, we saw flashing red and blue lights behind us. We were being pulled over. The officer explained that our van’s license plate was expired, something we’d completely missed amidst the Paris planning chaos. Thankfully, the officer gave us a warning, sparing us a ticket.

 

A couple of hours later, we returned to the airport, ready for our new flight. This time, we were finally able to board without any more delays, and eventually, we made it to Paris—a full day behind schedule—but thankful to be there at last. After the whirlwind journey, we spent our time in Paris soaking in the sights and making the most of every moment.

 

Unexpected Expenses

Our adventure didn’t end in Paris, though. On our way back home, a thought struck me: if our van’s license plate had expired, that meant all three of our vehicles were overdue for renewal. Having just returned from an international trip, we knew this would be an expense we’d need to budget for. We returned home Monday night and decided to wait until Friday—payday—before taking care of the renewals. Giving ourselves a buffer after an already pricey trip seemed like a good plan.

 

That Friday, I headed to the BMV with a ballpark estimate of around $150-$180 for all three renewals. I approached the counter and handed over the necessary information, but when the total came up, I was stunned. The amount wasn’t anywhere close to what we’d anticipated; it was $455—a substantial difference due to a hefty fee on our Toyota Sienna’s hybrid fuel-type license renewal. I was shocked by the cost, but also incredibly grateful that we’d waited until payday to handle it. As I paid, I chalked it up as one of those unexpected life expenses that tend to show up at just the wrong time.

 

Then came Sunday, and what happened that morning was nothing short of a miracle.

 

Unexpected Provision

As usual, I arrived early at church to set up for the day’s service. Around 8:00 a.m., a friend from our Worship and Production Ministry team approached me. He handed me a hefty envelope with my name on it and said, “I felt God telling me to give this to you. I hope it’ll help cover some of your expenses.” He explained that he’d collected the money over the summer from selling various items and wasn’t entirely sure how much was inside, but he hoped it would help offset whatever we’d paid for the plates. The gesture left me speechless. I thanked him, grateful for his kindness and obedience to the Spirit’s prompting as the renewals were literally hundreds more than anticipated. I set the envelope aside, planning to count it later.

 

After the service, my wife and I decided to stop by the bank to deposit the cash. As I opened the envelope at the ATM, I saw a bundle of mixed bills—mostly ones, fives, and tens. I inserted them into the slot and watched as the machine processed the deposit, my curiosity growing with each click. When the machine finished, it displayed an amount that made my heart skip a beat: $455—the exact amount we’d paid for our vehicle renewals.

 

For a moment, I stood there stunned, hardly able to believe what I was seeing. The cost of our license renewals had been covered to the exact dollar amount, down to the last bill. God had orchestrated every detail, providing for a need that neither we nor our friend could have anticipated. When I told him about the exact amount, he began to laugh and simply said,

 

“Of course God would do that.”

 

He mentioned that he’d had the envelope stashed away for a few months, waiting for the right time to give it, never knowing how perfectly it would align with our needs.

 

God’s Faithfulness Through God’s People

This experience left me in awe of how intricately God cares for us, right down to the smallest details. We often talk about God’s faithfulness in big, life-changing moments, but sometimes it’s these quiet, seemingly minor instances that remind us just how intimately he knows and provides for his children.

 

It’s hard to put into words how thankful we are—not only for God’s provision, but also for the faithfulness of those in our lives who are sensitive to the Spirit’s nudges. Our friend’s obedience turned a financial strain into a powerful testimony of God’s love and attention to detail. It’s a humbling reminder that while we may be taken by surprise, God never is. He knew our needs before we did and chose to meet them in a way that revealed his care so clearly.

 

Haylee and I were once again reminded of the incredible support we have at Christ’s Church. Over the years, our family has been blessed by this community’s love and encouragement in countless ways. Moments like these reinforce how deeply grateful we are for the faithful friendships and support we experience here. Every time I think about it, I am struck by the beauty of God’s people working together to bless and care for each other.

 

Sometimes, life brings the unexpected, but when we have faith and walk in obedience, God meets us there, proving again and again that his resources are limitless, and his timing is perfect. I’m reminded of just how blessed we are to be part of a community that lives out his love so tangibly, and I am beyond thankful for every single person who has walked alongside us in this journey.

 

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen” (Philippians 4:19, 20, NLT).

Matt James is a devoted husband and proud dad to Asa and Asher, finding his greatest joy in raising his boys together with his wife Haylee. He serves full-time on the Worship and Production team at Christ’s Church, and in his free time, he loves watching and playing sports, especially cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals and FC Cincinnati.