Earlier this summer, Sam, Jayme, and Caleb challenged me to try riding bike without holding on to the handlebars: “no-handed”, as they call it. Mustering up my courage and relying on the fact I can ride bike with only one hand, I took up their challenge. After several near crashes and wimpy attempts, I finally succeeded in riding “no-handed” for more than five seconds, using all the balance tricks I could think of and riding very slow! My little siblings applauded me, and then showed off how long they could ride with “no hands”!

Thinking of that experience brings my mind back to September 27th, 2010. I was at our home church uploading Caleb’s first “Legacy Six” video when I got the call from Dad: he lost his job. A great fear gripped my heart as Dad told me the news. To be certain, we’ve always dreamed of Dad being home with us, but it seemed so sudden, and it definitely wasn’t our timing. If it had been our will, the band would have been so busy that Dad would have to quit his job and we could easily transition into full-time ministry and concentrate fully on expanding it. But God had other plans.

You see, throughout this year of unemployment for Dad (and even without unemployment supplements!), we have learned to trust in the Lord, to lean on Him, and rely on Him for all of our needs. We have been riding on faith, “no-handed”, you could say, as we let go of our plans and expectations and lay ourselves in God’s gracious Hand. Have things been scary and uncertain at times? Yes, no doubt! But, time after time, we have watched God provide for all of our needs. We have not missed a single house payment or bill, we’ve never been hungry, and have even been blessed above our expectations. Time after time we have spotted “sightings” of God’s Hand of provision working in our lives.

Let me give just one testimony of God’s amazing provision: last week, bill time rolled around, and Dad and Mom wondered how they were going to cover the bills. The day bills were due, an envelope came in the mail with a sweet note of encouragement from someone who attended a recent concert…and enclosed was a check for the amount needed to cover our shortage! What a precious gift it was, and did we praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Yes, this has been a “no-handed” ride of faith, a journey of joy, and we are looking forward to what’s ahead! Thank you for all of your prayers, and remember to praise God for His wonderful provision.

As a close to this post, here is a song we sang this last Friday in Baxter, MN, which has come alive to us through this season of trusting:

Blessings and Joy in the Journey!

Taylor for TGF