Miracle Money in a Whirlwind: A True Story

I heard a friend say recently that I should meet one of his friends who "walks in insane miracles." I thought, "Yeah! I want to meet this guy and have him share his testimonies of insane miracles at our Lighthouse meetings. But then I thought, "Wait a minute. I've experienced some insane miracles in my life too!" Let me share one with you now....

First of all, understand that I'm nobody famous, unique, or "special." (Okay, I'm special to God, but you know what I mean.) You've probably never even heard of me. It makes me wonder how many THOUSANDS of Christians have received outrageous, amazing miracles in their lives, but they're not sharing their testimonies because they're just normal, average people. God does amazing miracles in the lives of His kids! Let's start sharing our stories with more people!

When I was in my twenties, I was in between colleges. I had left Westmont College in Montecito after my first year of college because I lacked the self-confidence that I'd be able to apply for and receive scholarships for more than the one year I had received funds. (I'm sorry now that I didn't stay at Westmont. It really was a wonderful experience. But God redeemed that loss when I transferred to UCLA and had a great time there in strong, unshakable Christian community.) Anyhow, I was living with my parents in Alta Loma and paying rent to them. I was about to start taking classes at Chaffey Community College in Rancho Cucamonga, California. I was discouraged because I had a job but wouldn't be paid for another month. I had almost no money for books for classes that would start in a few days. I walked into the bookstore and discovered that the couple of books I needed (that were not available in the school library) were way out of my budget. But I saw that if I moved a "used" book sticker from one of the other books to one of the books I needed, I would be able to afford at least one book.

Now, mind you, I grew up as a strong Christian and had never stolen anything in my life. I was nervous and scared, but I moved the "used" sticker to the book I needed, bought it, walked out of the store, and was so convicted by the Lord, I hardly slept that night. I couldn't stand the sin I'd committed. I told God I was sorry and returned to the college bookstore the next day, confessed my sin to the manager of the store, and said I'd rather start classes with no books than steal. The manager was shocked that I would confess my theft. I told her I was convicted by God. She was not too impressed by that.

I walked out of the bookstore, sat down on a bench in the courtyard crowded with students, put my head in my hands, and cried. I didn't even have money for one book, let alone two. I had enough for about half a book, but still needed $100 more to cover the two books I needed. I told God how discouraged and frustrated I was and that I really needed money for the books.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a whirlwind filled with dead leaves and dozens of dollar bills in all sorts of denominations--ones, fives, tens, twenties. The whirlwind swirled right in front of me and none of the other hundred or so students all around seemed to notice it. I jumped up from my bench and started grabbing money out of the whirlwind, still looking around at the other students to see if they were noticing. They were oblivious. Eventually, the whirlwind dissipated and money dropped to the ground. I ran around, snatching money from the concrete pavement and from beneath other benches. Still, no one noticed any of this. It was as though the whirlwind, the money, and I were all invisible.

After I'd gathered all the money, I walked straight into the admissions office and told a secretary that I'd found all this money and I wanted to turn it in to the lost and found. (I wasn't about to steal again.) The woman told me there was no way to turn cash into the lost and found and that I had to keep it. I asked others in the office what to do with the money and they all told me the same thing: I had to keep the money.

I counted up the money and it came to a little over $100. I finally had enough money to buy the two books for my classes and I had a little bit extra. What a miracle! I felt so loved by God from then on. How could the God of all creation care enough for me and a couple of books I needed for classes to give me money from heaven in a miraculous whirlwind?

Our God is so creative! I learned that day that He enjoys providing for us through innovative, ingenious miracles. And that day was not the only day He provided for me miraculously. He worked more miracles in my life that I'll write about later.

When I hear stories or watch videos of money floating down out of heaven in church services or revival meetings and such, I'm not skeptical because it personally happened to me! God actually does these crazy, amazing things!

I want to encourage you to remember the miracles God has done in your life and to tell people. Testifying about God's miracles builds our own faith when we encounter new trials, and it builds faith in others. This is our awesome God! He still works miracles! He worked miracles for us before and He will do it again!