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Blessings Built by God

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Todd Dunston always knew he wanted to be a builder. He eventually started his own carpentry business and did well.   Meanwhile, one of his sons started going through some difficulties.  As a single father, Todd had a tough choice to make.  

He shares, “I decided to quit my business for a while and work for someone else just so that I could spend a little more time with him.  There’s something about family that is more important that you will sacrifice and go through anything for your family.”

His new position provided a decent salary for a while, and then his pay was cut in half.

“I used up uh the little savings I had. I did take some side jobs,” he recalls. “It didn't add up though to quite enough, and I kept getting more in a bind with my bills.”

He cut corners to try to make ends meet.  

Todd confesses, “All of a sudden, my good intentions of spending time with my son began to be serious.”  He continues with a smile, “I learned how to make COR casserole: Clean Out Refrigerator.”  

At one point, he had to go to a food bank for help.  He also fell several months behind with his mortgage.

He reveals, “It's a gut punch when you get a letter- you could lose a house that you worked very hard for.”

As a Christian, Todd had tithed for years. Even during these lean times, he continued to give to God.

Todd explains, “Because I was a giver, I had a little more confidence that God was going to take care of things for me. I had nowhere to turn but to the Lord, and that was also my desire is to see God move on my behalf.”

Then, one Sunday at church he remembers, “The pastor read the verse before the offering and God started speaking to me immediately.   And He said, ‘Todd, I've seen your need, and I've taken care of it.’ And I got home, the moment I shut the door, I mean click, my phone rings.”

The call was from a former contractor of his who wanted to hire him for some big projects.  Todd accepted and then asked if he could get a cash advance even before the work began.

“And he did not hesitate.  The next day, there was $4,000 in my bank account. Hallelujah!” he says with a chuckle.

The advance allowed him to catch up on his mortgage and his bills, and that was only the beginning.  He continued to work with that client for several years, during which time his income substantially increased.  Best of all, by this point, things had improved with his son.  

“I believe it was beneficial for him,” Todd shares.  “I began to see a change in him.  He’s holding down a job.  He actually has a small business himself in another state.”  

Todd is once again an independent contractor.  And having struggled himself, he now likes helping others as a CBN partner.

“I like how they go to different parts of the country and different parts of the world, and they're there to lend a hand and to help people in their faith when they're in trouble,” he explains.

Today Todd’s income has quadrupled, and he and his family are doing better than ever.  He encourages others who need a miracle to give, just like he does.

“We all have a part in building God's kingdom,” he says.  “I would challenge others to support the work at CBN. He sees it, He doesn't forget it.”  Todd concludes, “If you're in a difficult situation right now, whatever the problem is, you can trust God with giving. God is going to come through for you.”


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About The Author

Cheryl
Wilcox

Cheryl Wilcox is a 700 Club Producer.