Blessed

I just have to share something real fast. Part of the benefits I get at work is a program called Creative Benefits. This is an account that I can use for medical expenses for the entire year, and a specified amount (that I choose ahead of time) is put into that account through PRE-TAX payroll deduction. However, I have access to the entire year's amount on January 1st rather than as I make it. This has come in quite handy this year, as I had surgery in January and owed roughly $1000 all at once and simply used this account to pay for it instead of putting it on a credit card paying $100/month (for example). Very nice. Well, last month I submitted a claim (that's what they call each expense) for the ultrasound I had done last November (pre-surgery). Because it was an expense from 2007, they did not accept it and so I have to reimburse them $252. Apparently any claims from before 01/01/08 must be submitted NO LATER THAN 03/31/08 in order to be accepted. Well, it wasn't my fault I was almost six months late submitting it, as my insurance company didn't pay as much as they originally told me they would and that is why I got a bill dated 9/3/08 for the $252. There is absolutely no way I could have submitted this bill by 3/31 because I DIDN'T EVEN GET IT until 9/3!!! I argued this, but they still aren't accepting it.

SO (I know, this is turning into a long story) I now have to repay them the $252 out-of-pocket. I've known this for the past few weeks, but have been waiting for a certain paycheck to come in before writing the check and sending it off to them. Well, about ten days ago I got a random deposit in our checking account for exactly $250. It was from Catholic Healthcare West (my company), but it wasn't anywhere near payday and I didn't have any idea why we had gotten it. I figured it was a mistake and that the "pending deposit" would dissappear once they figured out what had happened. But it wasn't a mistake, it was an unexpected bonus that everyone got and mine happened to be EXACTLY the amount I was needing to pay this stupid medical bill that got rejected by Creative Benefits. How awesome is that?? God is so good!! I give all the credit to Him for that one, it was so totally unexpected and perfect timing! Yes, I could have payed the bill using $$ from our savings account or from this coming week's paycheck, but I thank God for his provision and PERFECT timing and I am humbled that he would bless us like this! We do NOT deserve his blessing right now (not that we would EVER deserve anything!!), we do not tithe right now and I personally feel farther away from Him than I ever have before (both of which make me very sad). I owe it to the choice I made to attend a nursing school that meets on Saturdays...which forces me to work most Sundays (due to the weekend requirement). I need to go to church, I need the fellowship and the spiritual growth....and I'm not getting it right now, and haven't been for over a year. I know it's just a season, but it is saddening. My only hope for a change in this schedule is switching schools in the Spring. I pray that I will get into MCC for Block 4 so that I can work Saturays instead of Sundays.

Anyway, there is much more I could say, but the main point of this "fast" entry was to say that God is so good to us! He provides, even when his children couldn't be any less deserving of his blessing.

~Abigail~