Day 17
PROVIDER
PROVIDER
Look at
the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26
Have you ever felt God's provision in your life? A time when something happened and you knew without a doubt it was from Him? Here's an account of such a time I experienced many years ago.
It was my birthday, and the day God provided for me in a mighty way. My daughter was 4 years old at the time, and I was struggling as a single parent. I remember specifically wanting to make shredded wheat bread. My senses took over and I could almost taste and smell it. Reaching for my go-to cookbook, I found the recipe. I was ready! There was just one problem. I didn't have all the ingredients. Going to the store was not an option. I didn't have funds to make the purchases and I didn't think the store clerk would give me the items based on the fact it was my birthday.
In despair, I sat down at the table and started crying. Not because I didn't have the ingredients for shredded wheat bread. I was crying because I felt very alone and I was tired of life being incredibly hard.
A knock at my door snapped me out of my pity party. It was my neighbor, who knew it was my birthday and had a gift for me. She asked if I liked shredded wheat bread as she handed me a loaf of warm bread she had just baked for my birthday. True story!
I believe God allowed the events of that morning to unfold this way, so I’d know without a shadow of a doubt who the source of the provision was from. God was speaking to me, and used my neighbor to accomplish His task. I realized at that moment I was not alone, not abandoned, and not in despair. He was right there with me. My daughter and I were going to be okay.
If you missed yesterday's devotion on REFUGE, the theme of it fits well with PROVIDER. You can find it here: Day 16 - REFUGE
If you missed yesterday's devotion on REFUGE, the theme of it fits well with PROVIDER. You can find it here: Day 16 - REFUGE
Do not be anxious, said our Lord.
Have peace from day to day -
The lilies neither toil nor spin,
Yet none are clothed as they.
The meadowlark with sweetest song
Fears not for bread or nest
Because he trusts our Father's love
And God knows what is best.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~
Thank you for all your responses to this Advent series. You are all appreciated.
You can find this series in the following places:
Little Birdie Blessings Blog
Yesterday when I was out walking I saw under a tree a mother bird fluttering around as if a little distressed, then I saw a juvenile bird (we're in summer in Australia) on the ground. It didn't look alarmed but it did not move to fly even though I was close ... I was concerned and prayed ... I didn't want to needlessly interfere.
ReplyDeleteContinuing on my walk I thought of the verses you used and laid them before the Lord. Our God heard and when I came back that way they were both gone and to be heard in the tree.
We need to constantly remind ourselves of this. I have lived by faith so know what you mean by your wheat bread story. Our God is amazingly gracious ..praise Him.
Thanks for sharing,
Shaz in Oz.x
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Oh, you made me cry. It is indeed THE most amazing feeling when you KNOW that God sees what you're going through and then sends something (or someone) to show you that He is with you. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this awesome story. Have a VERY Merry Christmas and thank you for your posts!!! : )
ReplyDeleteYour story is wonderful...yes, I, too, have had such moments when I knew that I knew that I knew that I was not in this world all alone. Another just this week...
ReplyDeleteThis gift reminds me of the song that says Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, His grace is sufficient for me...
Our God is so good - yes, I have known those moments too. Again, I thank you for these wonderful graphics and devotions
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine