23 - God's providence: the scholarship!
Finances are a concern to most students attending college full time and I was no different. I expected to graduate from Lake Worth Community College with both an Associated of Science and an Associate of Arts degree and enroll at the University of Florida. But I also knew that I would be short of funds to pay for my tuition and room and board at the University of Florida, even with any part time jobs I would be able to secure.
Before graduating from lake Worth Community College, I had become aware of a scholarship in the amount of $5,000 that was offered by one of the large banks in West Palm Beach; an amount equivalent to
$30,000 plus today. I was on the honor roll at the Lake Worth Community College and a member of the Phi Thetta Kappa honor fraternity but, to be honest, did not really think I would be in the running if I applied.
Nevertheless I made up my mind to apply for the scholarship and I did pray about it; of a sort that is. I said “God, it would sure be nice if I could get that scholarship”. I submitted the application and then forgot about it. To make the long story short, I was awarded the scholarship and have always considered it to be a gift that God gave to me. It made a significant difference.
I graduated from the Lake Worth Community College, applied for entrance into the University of Florida (a Gator I am) and was accepted. It was at the University of Florida, seven years after the dream in which God showed me the girl I would meet and marry, that God brought Patricia Trexler Arnold into my life. That’s the story found on the next page: “24 – Patricia Trexler Arnold: the girl God brought into my life”.
Notes
What do I make of the experience I had with respect to the $5,000 scholarship?
Walking with God doesn’t mean that we are above the responsibilities, requirements, and stresses that go along with making our way through the world we live in. Financial stresses were as much a reality to me as they were to many other people and securing the needed money to attend the University of Florida was one of them.
Thing is, prayer is also a reality. And, as I knew by this time, God is also a reality. But more importantly, we are a reality to God and He cares for us….particularly so if we choose to have a regard for Him. Being aware of God’s reality, I prayed; and God, seeing my need, provided for it through his providence.
Some scriptural references
1 Samuel 2:30 (KJV) “…..for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
Psalm 102:17 (KJV) “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.”