The Amazing Thing That Happened When I Chose To Trust God

Years ago, I encouraged my husband to leave the corporate world in order to go into full-time ministry. I had seen his relationship with God up close and knew he was wise, humble and gifted. He was what you would call a “reluctant leader”, but God had made it clear to me that He had more work for him to do.

One day I heard a challenging message at work about how we are to be generous with our encouragement of people in our lives, especially as it relates to their calling. I knew that God had been leading me to support my husband in this direction and this message really got my attention. In fact, I came right home and had the conversation with my husband. He had been working diligently and faithfully to support our young family, but it was in no way work that made him come alive or that used his God-given gifts. 

My words to him that day immediately encouraged him (I told him I was willing to downsize our home/car…whatever it took to support him in the ministry) and he took me at my word. That very week, he gave his notice at work. He quickly found a part-time ministry opportunity and the journey began. As the months passed, he had many interviews for a full-time role that proved disappointing.  

The reality was that we were really falling behind financially. We almost lost our home and things were looking grim.  

I remember crying out to God in the shower (I was literally crying). I had been so confident that I had obeyed God and yet things were not going well at all. As I prayed, cried and talked with God, I remember saying “I wish you would just give me a sign that everything is going to be OK”. Immediately, I apologized to God. I knew that we weren’t supposed to ask for “signs” – we were to trust Him and believe without the signs. Then, I proceeded to say to God, “Maybe you could just send me flowers? They don’t even have to be from Keith” (that was important because as loving as my husband is – gifts are really not his love language and I thought that might be a challenge even for God 😊). 

I was definitely struggling. Because things were so tough, I was trying to process it all with God. I once again apologized to God for what I would describe as my brattiness. I knew He understood. So, as I got out of the bathroom, towel on my head and all, my husband comes in through the front door with flowers in his arms! I can only imagine the look on my face as he walked in. He quickly blurted “they aren’t from me” – to which, through tears I exclaimed “I know they are not from you, they are from God!” He was very confused.  

Our God is so incredibly generous. He didn’t “owe me a sign.” I was obeying Him and was merely to trust Him, even when things didn’t make sense to me. Yet, I found myself with flowers that to me clearly meant that God saw me, He knew my fears, my questions and in His loving-kindness reassured me that things would be OK. I was humbled and completely encouraged.  

Months later, my husband received an offer to be a youth pastor. We ended up selling our home and moving into a church parsonage. Our family has now been in full-time ministry for 16 years and we continue trusting, serving and loving our most generous God

We get to be generous with our encouragement to those around us because we serve a truly generous God.  

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” – Isaiah 26:3 

Claudia Guardado-Wittel 
Director of Philanthropy & Advancement, STAR 99.1

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14 Comments

  1. Fortune C Coratti on November 23, 2022 at 9:26 am

    Wow that was awesome of you to share your beautiful story with us. God is so good isn’t he? Amen Amen Amen!!
    God bless you and your husband.

    • Claudia Guardado-Wittel on November 23, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      Yes Fortune! He is SO good. Thank you for the encouragement. Blessings to you & Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Claudia Wittel on November 24, 2022 at 1:38 am

      Thank you Fortune! Blessings to you & Happy Thanksgiving!

  2. Gerise B Jones on November 23, 2022 at 9:49 am

    What a beautiful reminder of God’s provision in our purpose! Thank you for sharing! I have to know though, did the flowers have a card? How did they end up in your husband’s arms?

    • Claudia Guardado-Wittel on November 23, 2022 at 1:34 pm

      Hi Gerise! Thanks for reaching out & GREAT question :). I had been sharing my faith and journey with a friend named Joanne who lived in town. She is the one who left the flowers on my front porch that morning. I remember sharing the whole story & timing of it all with her. It definitely got her attention as I assured her that God had used her in such a powerful way. I have since lost touch with her but, think of her often. Thanks for asking! Happy Thanksgiving and thanks so much for the encouragement!

      • Georgette on November 24, 2022 at 10:29 am

        Thank you for sharing this story Claudia!! I’m encouraged to hear how you trusted God, through a tough time in your life. Still growing and learning how to “Trust God no matter what it looks like”. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

  3. Robert on November 23, 2022 at 10:33 am

    God Bless 😊. Happy Thanksgiving.

    • Claudia Guardado-Wittel on November 23, 2022 at 1:36 pm

      Blessings to you too Robert! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

  4. JOHNSON TIRKEY on November 23, 2022 at 11:53 am

    Amazing testimony from the star 99.1 family. Very encouraged to read it, and know that whatever be the circumstances, Lord is watching over and taking care.
    Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

    • Claudia Guardado-Wittel on November 23, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      Yes Johnson! He is always working no matter the circumstances and thanks for sharing this scripture too. God bless you & Happy Thanksgiving!

  5. Patty barker on November 24, 2022 at 1:41 am

    Thank you ,my granddaughter just text me tonight and asked me what my favorite Bible verse was and it was Proverbs chapter 3 verse five and six that was beautiful what you said God bless you and your family and happy Thanksgiving, your story reassures me faithfully wait for the Lord to answer

    • Claudia Guardado-Wittel on November 28, 2022 at 10:58 am

      I love that your granddaughter knows where to go for encouragement & truth! I am so glad to know our story reassured you. God is so good. PS- your comment reminded me of this verse: Isaiah 40:31

  6. Dominick Regina on November 25, 2022 at 7:58 am

    Claudia, that is one AMAZING story and one that I needed to hear.

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!

    God Bless you and your husband!

    • Claudia Guardado-Wittel on November 28, 2022 at 11:00 am

      Thank you for the encouragement, Dominick! God bless you and strengthen you as you TRUST Him.

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