Trusting the Lord's Provision Part 2

So, I've been really struggling to sort out the really practical things of life lately.  The main one has been food.  Contrary to what everything thinks, it's not because I don't have any, and it's not because I don't want to eat.  It just seems to be that the day fills up so quickly and suddenly, it's the end of the day and I realise that all I've eaten was the apple I grabbed on the way out the door.

Well, let's just say that while I've been out and about, it really would have been simple enough to stop off somewhere and buy something.  But, I'm so conscious of every dollar I spend that I kept avoiding buying food out.

I know most of this stuff is just my own lack of discipline to have something prepared and ready to take with me through the day.  Nonetheless, the Lord has provided in ways I never would have imagined.  While I was away in Adelaide, two girls from Church snuck into my house, cooked up a whole bunch of stuff, filled the pantry and the fruit bowl and left numerous snacks and treats.  I was so surprised when I got home that I sat down and cried.

I am so thankful for the way they have blessed and honoured me, and I'm so thankful that the Lord provides me with people who actually love enough not just to say words, but to go out and do something.  I trust that God will bless them abundantly for their generosity.  And I'm really glad I've got people who will say the hard words to me when I need it!

Praise the Lord for His provision!

To Sir, with Love

So, I'd just like to take this moment to thank my Dad for some of the ways he's impacted my life:

1. Apple and cheese.  If it wasn't for my Dad, I would never know the delights of apple and cheese.  This amazing delicacy is now commonly (ok, maybe not commonly) shared among the Canterbury Crew.  I love the way the crispiness of the apple contrasts with the softness of the cheese.  So delicious.  I love the way I get apple to cheese ratio perfect.  My favourite apple and cheese story was when I was little and James and I were wrestling in the loungeroom, and he threw me into a chair and I got a blood nose.  We got sent to bed with no tea, but I woke up in the middle of the night and I was starving.  Dad let me come in his bed and eat apple and cheese.  My second favourite apple and cheese story was when we all had apple and cheese when Marcus lived at College.  I can't really remember what happened - just that it was a pleasant experience.

2. Never buying anything.  When I was little, I really wanted this toy pony.  I really really wanted it...not sure why...  My Dad told me, that if I got it, I wouldn't play with it as much as it was worth (I think it was $25)  I thought I would follow Scripture and be the 'persistent widow'.  Well, Dad ended up getting me the toy horse, and I remember having to force myself to play with it, because I was too proud to admit that he was right.  Now...I never buy ANYTHING!

3. Night walks.  I love night walks.  There's something in the fresh night air that just makes me feel all thrilled inside.  When we were  in America...7 years ago...Dad and I always went walking at night.  It was so exciting to see the night life and to enjoy the atmosphere of the different places.  I am really sad that I can't go walking at night by myself...if I ever get married, it will be good to go on night walks.

4. Research.  This is slightly linked with number 2 (never buying anything).  If my dad is ever going to spend money, he will always make sure he is getting the best thing.  He will spend weeks and months researching the product, prices and options for buying.  I'm exactly like that.  The only difference is, my Dad does the research and then he buys it...for me, I get my Dad to do the research, and I never end up buying it (see number 2).

5. Travelling.  My Dad loves to travel.  If he's not on a cruise around Canada, then he's planning his next cruise to New Zealand...I also love to travel.  I love to see different places and different cultures.  I love to get out and do something new.  I also like to make the most of my time travelling...which is why I never really count it as a holiday.  (Recent story to illustrate: We were in Tasmania for a holiday - see previous post - and we were planning our day.  We all agreed on an early start so we could pack as much in the day as possible.  As we said our goodnights, I said, 'So, 7 oclock then?'  To which the girls responded, '7 OCLOCK...more like 10oclock!!)  The main difference here between me and my Dad is that I an unable to travel as much as him due to lack of time/resources.

On the days when it all falls apart...

You are the reason he rises in the morning. (Isaiah 30:18)

You are the one he quiets with love. (Zephaniah 3:17)

You are the one he longs for. Not just likes but longs for. (Isaiah 30:18)

You are a child of God. (John 1:12)

You are an heir to the throne. (Galatians 4:7)

You are his workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)

You are the only part of creation God breathed to life. (Genesis 2:7)

Thanks Jon: http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2010/09/the-question-we-all-ask/

Trusting the Lord's Provision

Well the biggest thing that's going on at the moment is that I'm really learning what it means to trust the Lord's provision.  The biggest test comes in the form of a question: 'How long Oh Lord?'

It's easy to trust the Lord to provide what we need in the short term...maybe because in the short term, we never really have to wholly depend on the Lord (so we're never really trusting).  It's when it becomes a long term thing that we really have to depend on God's Providence.

So, I've recently dropped a little bit of work so that I can take up some other ministry opportunities at Church.  This has obviously affected my income a fair bit.  While I can look at my bank account now and easily trust that God will provide what I need...it's going to be when that gets lower and lower that it really becomes a question of whether I trust God, or whether I've just been trusting myself.

So I thought I'd blog about this little journey and see how the Lord provides and guides.