God Built Her New Business
In 1985 as a new Christian, Deanna Todd began watching the 700 Club. She was a single mom of two kids and found encouragement and peace during difficult times through the ministry of CBN. “I would call CBN periodically, ask for prayer. They were so gracious and good to me. They prayed and over and over the Lord would answer those prayers,” she says.
Deanna would donate to the work of CBN on occasions but didn’t do so consistently. She made her living as a contract wallpaper hanger for several hotels in Florida. Then during the real estate crisis in 2007 her work came to a halt as new hotel construction stopped. Deanna says, “It was as though the world stood still. The housing crash was just beginning and my business tanked. It was a very deep and dark place. It was a bleak time. All I could do was cry out to God.”
With business expenses and work opportunities completely dried up, she was $20,000 in debt. Deanna remembers, “I would turn CBN on and they were there for me. I would say they were a great anchor, I called CBN and I asked them to pray. I said in the middle of my bed, crying out to God to help me, I told God that I would commit myself to be constant in my giving, if he would open doors from that point on, I would be faithful. I said, ‘Lord, show me what to do.’ And I called a lady that I had hung wallpaper for, and she did not have any work for me. But she said, ‘Deanna, why don't you clean houses? You're very good. You could do something like that. As a matter of fact, I'll give you your first job.’ And there began my new business.”
Deanna called several more former clients. Before long, she had a thriving house cleaning business, and with every new job, she remained faithful to tithe ten percent of her income. “Then the jobs just started coming. And within nine months I paid off all my debt. I knew it was only the hand of God and my faithfulness to him that had brought me through I never missed a bill,” says Deanna.
Deanna has been a CBN partner since 2011. Time and time again she has seen God faithfully provide for her needs and give her peace. She encourages everyone to be faithful in their tithes. “Ever since I committed 100% to the Lord to give my tithe and to be faithful to do that, everything has changed. He has been faithful to give me peace. My job and my work has been consistent. It is such an honor to be able to tell the world what God has done for me as a single mom. He's always been there. His blessings are upon us. We can believe that and expect that and I do,” she says.
