An Act of Faith Worth Two Extra Dollars

Conviction, Faith, and $2 of Proof
By Lisa Schafer, the Christian Drama Queen

Let’s talk about Hebrews 11:1—that verse we all know:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

That word conviction doesn’t mean being found guilty of a crime—it means being firmly believing.
And let’s be honest—how often do we walk in “super faith,” firmly believing no matter what?

Yeah, me neither.

Let me tell you a story.

At 26, after years of infertility and heartbreak, my husband and I adopted our first baby. Five pounds, three ounces, full of curls and big brown eyes—I was in love. But reality hit fast: we couldn’t afford for me to stay home.

So after maternity leave, I went back to my bank job part-time, noon to five. Every day, I dropped off my newborn with a friend, then bawled my way to work. I hated every minute of it. Guilt haunted me: “You prayed for this baby—and now someone else is raising him.”

I wasn’t judging working moms—that was just my internal storm.

After a few months of tears and prayer, my husband and I decided to take a step of faith: I gave my boss 30 days’ notice. We had no plan—just faith. Losing my part-time income meant we’d be $1,104 short each month. We did the math, cut what we could, and said, “God’s going to have to work it out.”

And we meant it.

That Sunday, we shared the news at church—and the gasps were audible. Even our faith-filled friends questioned us. But we felt peace.

The very next morning, our landline rang. It was 1992—no cell phones, no cute ringtones, just RIIING! I answered groggy, baby in arms.

It was my husband.

He could barely speak: “You’re not going to believe this.”
His friend Ann, who’d mentioned a year earlier she might sell her tiny janitorial side business, walked up to him at work that morning and offered to hand it over—that very day.

Want to guess what her little side gig brought in each month?

$1,106.

Two dollars more than we needed.
God didn’t just provide. He winked.

Now, I’m not telling you what you should do. I’m just sharing what we did—and how God showed up.

Fast forward to today. I just put down a deposit for a women’s retreat. I have no idea if enough will register to cover it.

But here I am again... waiting in faith. (Follow up—He covered it!) 

Does the budget make sense? Nope.
But faith isn’t seen. It doesn’t show up in your spreadsheet. It shows up after you step.

After my husband’s call that morning, I fell to my knees, sobbing with gratitude. I couldn’t speak. Just spirit-filled wailing. It was raw, holy, and unforgettable. Jude 1:20 calls it "praying in the Spirit." That was it. I felt God in the most real way possible.

So now I ask you:

Is He asking you to trust Him too?
To take that terrifying, uncertain step?

You can.
Whether it’s for $1,100… or something much deeper.

I’m not a therapist, a doctor, or a finance expert. I’m just a redeemed mess of a woman with stories to tell and a God who never fails.

You are loved.
You are seen.
You can trust Him.

And sometimes… He’ll even throw in two extra bucks.