Invoice.

 PAID IN FULL. 

Have you ever thought of those words? 

I mean... 
I've heard them many times.
Typically, they're connected with Jesus. 

However, 

I got to experience these words in a very applicable way recently. 

The week Brian left for this 9+ month rotation, Murphy called (IYKYK). My car broke down so hard that it had to get towed from our driveway. After quotes, decisions, and trust, we decided to compete the work... for a grand total of about $5,013.40. This is a lot... but it was just the tip of the iceberg. Both of my feet decided to stop working, the washer started having problems, I needed blood work, and there was conflict about a ministry position that I had just stepped into. Anyway. We decided to open a new credit card that maxed out at $4,000 with interest at 0% for 6 months, and then we would just put the rest on a different card.  Trusting in the Lord for His provision and doing our part in cutting back on expenditures. 

With the plan decided, I walked into the auto shop... gave my name and they handed me my keys.
I offered my card and they said: 

Your husband came in a couple of hours ago and paid for it. 
My husband? 
Yes.
That's impossible, sir. My husband is deployed. 
I thought that was weird. ...well, some guy walked in here and said he was here to pay for your car. The whole thing.

*hands me the invoice*

PAID IN FULL
All caps. 
Written in a circle.  

*silence* 

My car? 2016 Ford Explorer? Kaitlyn Burdick?
Yes. 
Are you sure no one called in? (Thinking maybe my dad called it in) 
No. This man walked in and said he was paying for 2016 ford explorer and you would be in later today to pick it up. 

- - - - 

I walked outside to my waiting friend who had brought me, and I just stared at her. Is this real? Yes. Did she do it? No. No one knew my car would be done that day except this friend. 

The next day (Yay time zones), I told Brian the whole thing, and we were still disbelieving (oh ye of little faith)... He checked the bank account with new maxed out credit card... $4,000 was still pending. Ok. So even if someone just paid the $1,000 then we still praise God as that is a huge gift! But, I wanted to call the auto shop just to make sure the money wasn't supposed to go to someone else. 

The conversation went like this: 

Hello? Is Terry there? (The owner)
Who's calling? 
Kaitlyn Burdick. Ford Explorer. I had a question about billing. 
Oh. Yeah. You're totally good. You don't owe anything.
Yes, but could I talk to Terry? 
Sure. 
Hey Kaitlyn, I thought you would be calling when you saw that the $4,000 was still pending. 
Hey! Yeah, I just want to make sure we're paying what we needed or if someone made a mistake and we needed to fix it. 
Nope! It's all paid for. I thought about telling you you were the costumer of the month, but I knew you wouldn't believe it! Naw, everything is paid for - the whole $5,013.40. 
Wait. What? 
Yeah. 
I'm sorry... I just don't believe it. 
I've seen people pay for others and help out and all, but I've never seen this much paid off. 
Do you know who did it? 
I cannot tell you who it was. All I can tell you is, you have some pretty amazing friends watching out for you. 

*silence* 
*15 attempted sentences* 
*Tears*

I'm so sorry... I just don't have words.
...Are you serious? 
Yes. Things are looking up for you. 
God did this. 
If that's what you choose to believe. 
Yes, it is what I believe.
God did this. 

...

I went around telling people, trying to figure out who did it, when another friend said, "Kaitlyn... I think you should stop playing detective, and receive the blessing God has given you." 

To this day, I have no idea who gave this blessing.
To this day, the ripple affect of someone's financial obedience to the Lord and heart of generosity is more than they will ever know. 

Because of this, we paid all our bills and even extra on our payments. 
Because of this, we are able to purchase a ticket to see each other for our anniversary.  
Because of this, we had enough to help out others going through hard times.
Because of this, we had a breath in the midst of chaos.  
Because of this, the Lord is glorified. 

PAID IN FULL. 

Jesus did that for us. 
He paid the ultimate cost. 
Our eternal invoice says: PAID IN FULL. 
All caps.
Written in a circle.  

Brian: Some day, when we have the ability, I want to do this for someone else. 
Kaitlyn: Yeah, Babe. Me too. 

The ripple affect of obedience, generosity, and love. 

Burdi Love.