Jodi Pennings, pictured here with Mike, her husband of 17 years, owns and operates a farrier business called, “Lucky Horseshoeing.”  As a hobby she enjoys rehabbing lost-cause horses and finding good-fit homes for them. She is a member of the Lena Church, leading in Sabbath School and Personal Ministries. This is her story.

 

I am a farrier, traveling from farm to farm trimming and shoeing horses. I was raised as a Seventh-day Adventist, but unfortunately fell away from practicing my faith.

Life went on, and in time I married. I was busy and my farrier business was doing well, but I knew something was missing. My older brother sensed my restlessness and began witnessing to me of the peace Jesus brings to life. Soon I began Bible studies with Pastor Rick Binford. I loved the studies! Suddenly the Bible wasn’t just rules but revealed a God trying to save me and show me how to be completely happy.

I was so excited and wanted to be re-baptized. I remember taking a walk with my husband and he was not happy with my new choices, as my beliefs were changing my lifestyle. I was walking along and thinking I could just let this all go, and go back to my old life. My husband would be happy and life would be easier. I prayed right then and there for God to give me the strength to move forward, and He did. By God’s amazing grace I was re-baptized. God had blessed me so much. For the first time my life was complete.

As my husband and I do not share the same faith, tithing became an issue. Again I prayed, and we came to an agreement that I would tithe from my income. I was grateful, yet felt I wanted to do more for God in offerings. How was I to do that and stay true to my husband as well?

Once again, I took this to God in prayer and He provided an answer. As a farrier I often receive tips, so I decided I could dedicated any tips I received to Him.

At church that week I had learned that our Pathfinders had advanced to the Bible Experience finals and needed funds to travel to Washington D.C. So Monday morning before work I prayed, “Please, Lord, I want to help; all my tips are Yours.”

After my second job that morning, my client added a hundred dollars to the bill as a tip. I was so excited! I had to call and share the amazing news with my pastor. I then stopped to tell my younger brother and his wife the good news and they promptly pulled out their check book and added to the blessing. It was amazing!

God’s answers didn’t stop there. I prayed one morning about my desire to help support a church plant our church is sponsoring, and that very morning a client added a seventy dollar tip to his bill. Tips are common but not for that amount.

I am blessed with wonderful clients and the skills that God has granted me to work for Him. God has answered my prayers to remain faithful to Him and to my husband.

God’s gracious answers to prayer continue. One of my client’s daughters, Sarah, took Bible studies and was baptized into the church. And my younger brother and his wife have chosen to be baptized.

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” Psalm 9:1

Jodi Pennings of the Lena Church, with Juanita Edge, Communication Director