Trust Him even with a little.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8 NASB
I sat spellbound by the missionary’s story. Imagine tearing apart the church’s only Bible to share pages.
Our preacher announced an offering for this worthy foreign ministry, so I dug in my purse for every available dollar. A quiet voice spoke in my heart, “Keep one dollar.” What a strange idea. “That makes no sense,” I argued.
The offering plate traveled down my row. “Hold back one dollar.” Was it God’s voice? “Hold back one dollar.” Time for a decision. At the last second, I returned a solitary dollar to my empty wallet and wondered why.
The next morning I rushed to get ready for a trip with my new boss and a paid consultant. We were to observe a program for mentally handicapped individuals, similar to one I would administer locally. I planned to wow my director as a prepared and calm employee, when in reality, my heart pounded and I battled defiant hair.
I turned to my husband. “Do you have any cash? We’ll probably eat at some restaurant and I don’t have time to run to the bank.”
“Sorry. I don’t have a buck on me.”
Just then, I heard the early honk. Panic. No money, bad hair. For two hours I attempted small talk in the car as I prayed and mentally generated lunch excuses. Something like: “I’m dieting. I’ll just have tea.” Or, “Could I borrow one-million dollars for lunch?” Okay—my embarrassment just made it seem like a million.
We first toured the facility. All too soon, lunchtime arrived. Our guide said something about gratification in providing client work skills and helping the staff. I anxiously followed her as we rounded a corner.
Then I spotted the sign: Lunch—$1.00. Fighting back tears, I gratefully pulled the one-dollar bill from my purse. A handicapped client, proudly wearing a white chef’s hat, accepted the dollar and directed us to a buffet line.
How like God to provide even before we know our need. How like me to waste time and energy in worry. Even as I tried to be generous, God worked to provide. He is such a loving and giving God.
Don’t let fear or worry make you forget God’s love and nurture. Replace worry with anticipation. God will provide every need.
Generous Father, thank You for Your unceasing provision. Forgive our doubt and anxious thoughts. Please teach us to trust You in all things great and small. Amen.
Photo courtesy of microsoft.com.
Nancy Davis Biffle follows a lifelong quest to know God through His Son Jesus Christ. She’s passionate about sharing the Bible’s power to change lives. She is a wife, mother, grandmother of ten, active church member, and mentor who also writes and speaks through Words of Life Ministries. Nancy is a retired marriage and family therapist, as well as a former teacher and school counselor. She volunteers at her granddaughter’s junior high school and at the elementary school where one of her daughters teaches. Nancy and her husband, George, live in Texas. They travel annually with Volunteers in Mission to build churches in Costa Rica. You can reach Nancy at wordsoflife.nb@sbcglobal.net.
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