The Money Pouch

I’m sure we’ve all had those moments when a thought or memory pops into our minds for no understandable reason. It just comes. Such was the case with me earlier this week. I recalled an incident that happened to me when I was eleven or twelve years old. It was the time my mother had announced with a smile that it was time I wore a training bra. Oh, the excitement! This was it! I was on the road to womanhood! How proud I felt wearing my training bra, which of course, was merely an elastic band with shoulder straps. Never mind! I was wearing a bra and that was significant! In no time at all, I was certain, I would be driving a car and renting my first apartment.

It wasn’t long after receiving my womanly bra that my mother gave me something else — a money pouch. She had sewn it herself. A tiny pale blue bag. She put a five dollar bill inside the pouch and then pinned it inside my elastic band, oops, I mean my bra. My mother explained that whenever I was away from home, whether at school, riding my bike around the neighborhood, going to the community swimming pool, anywhere at all; if I found myself in difficulty, I had my money pouch to help me out. I could phone home, call a taxi, pay for an unexpected something. The money in the pouch, in the elastic band bra, was my mother’s provision for times of trouble.

Now, you may laugh, but this memory made me think of the Holy Spirit. You see, Jesus assured us in John 14:16, that when He left earth, we would not be alone. He would ask His Father to send the Holy Spirit who would be our Advocate. The dictionary defines advocate as: protector, supporter, fighter. When you and I get into any kind of trouble, whether it be temptation, relationship struggles, unfair treatment from others, financial despair, anything at all; if we find ourselves in difficulty, we have the Holy Spirit to help us out. We can call upon Him at any time of day or night. The Holy Spirit dwelling within us is our Heavenly Father’s provision for times of trouble.

When difficulties come, the Holy Spirit reminds us of all the treasure we have in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit brings us to a place of praise for all the Lord has done for us in the past, and for all He is to us in the present. Praising is a wonderful antidote to despair. The Holy Spirit gives us a song to sing in our hearts even in times of deepest sorrow. The Holy Spirit is a constant presence of both gentleness and power. I close with the following passage in Psalm 34:1-6. Whatever you are going through today, remember the provision made for you; the presence of the sweet Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and empower.

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the Lord and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles.”