“What does giving mean to me? It means faith. It means bold, crazy faith. I’m trusting in God, that He’s going to provide for me. I’m giving without limits and without sanctions. I am just handing over what God has given me because I know that it’s all His to begin with,” Laynie said.
In March 2020, Laynie experienced a devastating 42% drop in income. As a single mom working in the financial industry, Laynie questioned whether she would have enough to care for her daughter. Feeling out of control and fearing what the future might hold, Laynie decided to pause her recurring giving.
In the summer, Laynie went back to an in-person service at Mariners Irvine for the first time in months, and she heard an inspiring story of a woman’s journey of giving, even when it was difficult. Over the next few days, Laynie felt God leading her to make a big gift to Mariners Church—much bigger than what she felt comfortable with. At first she tried to barter with God, but after three days, she took a step of faith and gave the full amount.
The next day she received two letters in the mail. One was a letter from the IRS saying she overpaid her 2019 taxes and was due a big refund. The other was the check, which arrived six weeks earlier than promised and was half the amount she had just given to Mariners.
The experience blew her away. Even when she thought she was giving more than she was able, God remained faithful and provided for her. She quickly signed up for recurring giving again, trusting God would continue to take care of her and her daughter’s needs. Through her journey of generosity, God brought her freedom in both her finances and her heart.
“I think what I’m so humbled by is God’s goodness. Once I fully surrendered to Him and stopped trying to control money, the fear and anxiety I always struggled with dissipated. I know God will always provide for myself and my daughter,” Laynie said. At the end of the year, Laynie reflected on all God had done through Mariners in 2020 and celebrated knowing she was a part of it.
The Bible says, “Though (the Macedonian Christians) have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others. They gave not only what they could afford but far more; and I can testify that they did it because they wanted to…They begged us to take the money so they could share in the joy of helping the Christians in Jerusalem.” 2 Corinthians 8:2-4
Because of the giving of our generous church, we’ve been able to move quickly at all the opportunities the Lord is bringing our way. As we pray and plan for the 2021/2022 ministry season, we invite you to prayerfully consider giving to Mariners before June 30, the close of our fiscal year.
You can give online here or at any of our weekend services to be a part of advancing God’s message, and His mission, on Earth.