So this memory from last year popped up on my newsfeed this morning... I would like to share the “behind the scenes story” as it might be an encouragement to many of you who are walking through a season of need.

Last December(2016), I was eating one morning at a Waffle House on the other side of town with William. It was during Christmas break, and I was dressed in a t-shirt and sweatpants with no makeup and my hair was pulled back in a pony tail. We were greeted kindly by a waitress who took an interest in us and served us well. Each time she refilled our waters, served us our food, or checked in on us, she inquired a little more about us and shared a little more about herself, gazing at us with kind eyes and a genuine smile. I remember being touched by this, because I knew there was nothing about my appearance or William’s that should have garnered us any special attention. I didn’t even have my wedding band on that morning; so, for all any one knew, I was just a single mom out for a $6 breakfast with my son. cheap short wedding dresses

The whole time we were eating there, God kept impressing on my heart that He wanted me to take care of this waitress. I could see when she spoke and when she smiled that her teeth were in very bad shape. But I was scared. You see, I had just opened my own dental practice 9 months earlier, and we were struggling financially. My husband and I were even discussing selling our home. We had been living on dental practice loans that were coming to an end at the end of 2016. In just 2 short weeks, there would be no loan to draw from, and the dental office would have to stand on its own two feet. My dental team that had consisted of six people just a few months earlier had dwindled down to one other person and myself. I was emotionally at a very low place... just trying to enjoy a cheap breakfast date with my son.

But God said, “Help her.” And I said in my heart, “Are you sure, God? Is this really what you want me to do? She needs thousands of dollars of work. Will I be able to do everything she needs? How will I even pay the lab bill? Is this the responsible thing to do? Can you give me a sign?” My heart was beating out of my chest as I continued to debate with God in my mind.

The waitress came one last time to the table to drop off our $6 bill... and continuing our conversation from earlier where I told her I had the day off with my son, she said, “By the way, where do you work?” I said, “I’m a dentist, and I work on the other side of town.” Immediately, tears welled up in her eyes and she covered her mouth with her hand in shame. She apologized for her teeth and said she knew they were bad but as a single mom caring for her kids she had no extra funds to do anything about it.

I knew in this moment God had given me more than a sign. The words came flowing out of me, “I will take care of your smile. I’m going to write my office address and phone number on the back of this bill. When you’re ready. Come see me, and I will give you your smile back.”

A few weeks later, she came; and the pictures below are the before and after of that visit. And you know what? God provided. God provided for that sweet, little waitress, and God provided for me, my family, and Marvin Village Dentistry. GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES.

I received one of my biggest blessings of 2017 by helping that waitress last year. And it’s no coincidence that God presented me with such a HUGE OPPORTUNITY to help some one right at the moment I felt deepest in need myself. When we are willing to GIVE GREATLY from a place of GREAT NEED, we are privileged to experience firsthand HOW GREAT OUR GOD IS. He is truly JEHOVAH JIRAH. ?? ?? ❤️

Before and After (Same Day)...Had the opportunity today to be a BLESSING to a sweet little waitress who served me at the Waffle House a few weeks ago. ?
(Her mouth isn't finished, but this is what we did today.)