When Your Barns Are Empty but Your Heart Is Full ❤️

When Your Barns Are Empty but Your Heart Is Full ❤️

“Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” — Proverbs 3:10 (ESV)

Have you ever wondered what it really means to be blessed by God? Is it the money in your bank account, the house you live in, or everything you’ve worked so hard to obtain?

I used to think I had to work hard to prove my worth to Jesus. I owned my own bookkeeping and tax firm, making $85-$115 an hour, and I was constantly chasing what I thought success looked like.

But here’s what you wouldn’t have seen looking at my life from the outside. I was miserable in Lubbock, Texas. I had already quit drinking, and when I did, many of the relationships I once had began to disappear - if you've never been to West Texas - well, all there is to do is drink. Although I was making good money and had worked hard to build a successful business, I felt incredibly alone. I was surrounded by worldly success, but I was missing something money could never buy.

As Lubbock grew, I kept wanting to move to the nicer side of town. I convinced myself it was about safety and comfort, but I didn’t realize how much I was allowing the world around me to influence my decisions. But, here’s the kicker! I was still reading my Bible, praying, and spending time with Jesus on the daily, but I was also becoming consumed with what other people had and what they thought of me.

Then I felt Jesus calling me to leave Texas and surrender everything ("It's GO-time," he said).

I sold my larger belongings, donated the rest to a battered women’s shelter, and left with only what would fit in my four-door Buick LaCrosse. I went from a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a two-car garage to living in my car. My income went from $85-$115 an hour to $15 an hour. Yes, $15 an hour - you read that correctly!

You want to talk about getting humbled real quick? That’ll do it!

But here’s what I didn’t understand at the time. I thought I was leaving everything behind. But I believed Jesus was leading me to a revival and that somewhere along the way, He would bring people into my life who would walk alongside me in faith. I didn’t know how or when, but I chose to trust Him.

And now, here I am in Florida, surrounded by a church family that has become such a blessing in my life. I still miss my daughter more than anything, and nothing could ever replace her. That being said - God has brought people into my life who love and follow Jesus, encourage me, pray with me, walk alongside me in faith, and get me to Jesus when I can't pray for myself (my mat carriers).

And that’s when Proverbs 3:10 began to mean something different to me.

In biblical times, overflowing barns represented an abundant harvest and provision. Verse 9 tells us to honor God with our firstfruits, and verse 10 describes the blessing of His provision. This isn’t a promise that following Jesus will make us financially wealthy - it’s a reminder to honor God and trust Him with what we have.

Galatians 1:10 reminds us not to live for the approval of people, and in Matthew 6:25–33, Jesus reminds us that our Heavenly Father knows what we need. Even the birds of the air are cared for!

I had spent so much time trying to fill my own barns with worldly success that I almost missed what mattered most. I thought I was leaving everything behind, but Jesus was leading me toward blessings I couldn’t have purchased with all the money in the world.

Sometimes we don’t realize how tightly we’re holding on to the world until Jesus asks us to open our hands. So today, ask yourself: What are you filling your barns with? Possessions, popularity, and the approval of others? Or faith, love, and a life that honors Jesus?

Because you can have barns overflowing with possessions and still have a heart that’s spiritually empty.

I may not have the house, the income, or the life I once had, but I have Jesus, and He’s shown me that His provision is worth more than anything this world could offer. ❤️

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving us enough to teach us that our worth isn’t found in our possessions, our paychecks, the approval of others, or in how much we do, but in You. Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve chased the things of this world instead of seeking Your kingdom first. Help us recognize when we’re holding on to things that are keeping us from fully surrendering to You.

Father God, I pray that You teach not only us to trust Your provision, even when it doesn’t look the way we expected, but all of my brothers and sisters in the world. Give us the courage to let go of what is familiar, the faith to follow You into the unknown, and the wisdom to recognize the blessings You’ve already placed in our lives.

Lord, remind us that we don’t have to impress the world to be loved by You - and that it's really the opposite of that! Fill our hearts with gratitude, our lives with Your purpose, and our hands with opportunities to serve others. May we never become so focused on filling our barns that we forget Who provides the harvest for us.

Less of the world, more of You, Jesus. Not our will, but Yours be done.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen! ❤️

I love you all! Have a blessed day!