God Will Provide ~ The Shoe Edition

"shoes for your feet"

Ephesians 6:15

The weather has cooled down beautifully from the intense heat that we've had the past few days.  We are down twenty degrees from last week. 

Hang in there, Spring!  It's not Summer's turn yet!

One of the difficult things about the arrival of warm weather is that I have to dig out all my warm-weather clothes from under the bed.  Our master bedroom doesn't have a closet that will accommodate everything we own, so my sweetie and I use underbed storage for out-of-season stuff.  So of course it's a bit of a project to do the semi-annual* switch of clothes. 

* Or is it "bi-annual"?

Saturday was an exhausting day,* so although I got a good night's sleep, I had a hard time dragging myself out of bed on Sunday morning.  But I did.  And I ate the fried egg that the Apple of my Eye had lovingly prepared for me.  And I got dressed, and did the hair and makeup thing.

* Rise at 5 a.m., drive to volleyball tournament, 

watch volleyball/endure heat, drive home from volleyball tournament, 

rest briefly, make dinner, collapse in comfy chair and watch some tv, go to bed.

Then it was time.  Grab my Bible, grab my purse, and put on my shoes.

Shoes.   It was time to make a decision.

I don't have a ton of shoes.  I'm not one of those girls.  I like simplicity, so I have a few cold weather pair, and a few warm weather pair.  And in my mind, I was trying to decide which ones were best for the warmth of the day, and the outfit I was wearing.  And in my mind, I settled on a pair.  They're not my favorites, but they would do.  I probably could find something a little more comfortable, but that would require shopping, and I'm not really one of those girls, either.

So I trekked over to the far side of my closet, where my out-of-season, warm-weather shoes were tucked, and you know what I found?  O joy!  Lovely, comfy, perfect shoes, that I bought last year, and had completely forgotten about. 

But God knew.  He was just waiting for me to remember what He'd already provided for me. 

I wonder, sometimes, if He smiles and shakes His head lovingly at me... "Silly girl."

I like to think so.

~ "and as shoes for your feet,

     the preparation of the gospel of peace" ~

Ephesians 6:15

~

Just another manic Monday

"a time to build up"

Ecclesiastes 3:3

I got a little gift today.  An unexpected largesse from the clock.  Or my calendar.  Or something...

It went like this...

My Mondays are wonderfully orchestrated.  Mondays and Tuesdays are the days when it's most important to me that everything go smoothly.  I'm a fairly wing-it kinda person in general, but Tuesdays are my busy day, so that has to go well.  And Mondays?  Well, they're Mondays.  I feel the week is off to a good start if I hit the ground running.  So I keep to a pretty good routine. 

The gift today was an extra couple of hours of time.  While I teach my Adorable and Amazing Boy every morning, it's a little different with my Attractive and Awesome Girl.  For her, I put together a week-long lesson plan, and then she works independently.  We do math together, whenever during the day she's ready, and she comes me to me if she needs help on something, but all the prep for her learning is done by me on Mondays. 

I figure out what sections or chapters need to be done in what subjects, and write it down in my book and hers.  Then I need to make photocopies or print out any necessary worksheets.  Sometimes I need to type them out, if I'm diverging from what the curriculum is doing.  Other times I need to type up tests for her, or print out already prepared tests.  The whole thing can take 90 minutes or even two hours. 

But I didn't need to do that today.  She was sick a couple of days last week, so she's not ready for me to dump a new week's worth of work on her.  She was working hard today, to get caught up, so maybe tomorrow she'll feel ready for me to assign her work for the rest of the week. 

Naturally, I took advantage of that extra time today.  But not by tackling any project like cleaning out a drawer or organizing a closet.  No, I did some of the stuff that's going to need to be done on Tuesday.  Or Wednesday.  Or ~ well, you get the point.  I got ahead, is what I'm sayin'.

The same thing happened last week, actually.  My Monday needed to go a little different than usual, and I found myself with extra time.  So I got ahead.  And by Friday, boy, was I glad I had, 'cause the rest of my week was not on my side.  But everything went smoothly, even though unexpected things happened, and that's because I had built up a bit of a lead. 

That feeling, of being glad I had over-prepared myself, reminded me of something my boy said several months ago.  He was talking about the Dodgers, and the fact that they had just lost four games in a row.  But this was in a season where they had achieved a record-breaking, nearly month-long streak of wins.  And though my son was disappointed they had lost four in a row, he said, "Well, that's why we built up a lead; to prepare for something like this."

I was glad he had realized that.  Things are not always going to be good.  But you can always be ready.  You can have what you need, if you're thinking ahead.  Doing everything possible, while things are in your control.   Money set aside for a rainy day; time or materials organized in case of an unexpected bump in your schedule, and yes, even your faith strengthened and solidified for the trial that's heading your way. 

Appreciate and take advantage of what you have now, for when you might not have it.  Work hard now, and you'll appreciate the dividends later.

Ask Him now, for what you'll need then.  And then trust Him to provide. 

~ "Go to the ant...

    Consider her ways and be wise...

She provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest" ~

Proverbs 6:6,8

~

Of course, it's hard to go wrong with bacon...

"Put on a pot, set it on,

   And also pour water into it."

Ezekiel 24:3

I made something new for my family tonight.  Cauliflower and bacon soup.  It was awesome.

My daughter had volleyball practice this evening, and our routine is that the Apple of my Eye takes her to practice, and I have dinner ready for us all when they get home.

Tonight, I new I wanted to make soup, because my girl's got a bit of a sore throat, and I wanted to help soothe that.  So I started looking through my recipes for inspiration.

Minestrone?  Well, maybe...

Cream of Broccoli?  Nah....

Chicken Noodle?  Not her favorite...

Cauliflower?  Hmmm.... Now that's interesting!

I've been intrigued by the idea of cauliflower soup for quite awhile.  I love cauliflower, so soup seems like an interesting way to enjoy it, but I wasn't sure what it would look like.  Cream of?  Cauliflower and something?  What would complement cauliflower without overpowering it?

I actually had cauliflower soup several years ago, in a restaurant, but I didn't enjoy it all that much.  I didn't think they did it right.  Which is to say, they didn't do it the way I would have...  As I recall it was quite peppery.  The cauliflower was the foundation but not really the flavor of the soup.  I knew then the only way to have it the way I want it, would be to do it myself.  But then I had to find a recipe as a guide, and then think of it, on a night when I actually had cauliflower in the fridge.

My kids love cauliflower, and my hubby tolerates it quite well if I prepare it right, so I knew I had a good shot of pleasing them all, but it went even better than I expected.  They loved it, and so did I.

The funny thing was, I was actually working from three different recipes.  I'd collected them over time, and ended up making all of them.  Or none of them.  What I made was a fourth version.  My version. 

One recipe called for parsnip, which I like, but it didn't sound like the best complement to cauliflower to me.  One called for carrot, but I detest, loathe and abhor cooked carrots.  So that was out.  One recipe called for celery, but cooked celery usually doesn't go over well with my kids.  So no celery.

But the parsnip recipe also called for bacon.  Yes please.  And one called for parsley, which I thought sounded both tasty and attractive.  Half and half?  Don't have any.  Milk will have to do.  Chicken stock?  I could.  But since most of my recipes call for chicken stock, how about beef stock in here? Let's switch it up a little bit. 

It was a triumph.  I love it when that happens.  But I think what makes it so wonderful is that all of the details worked.  A combination of what I felt like cooking, and what I had in the house, but also taking into consideration what each of my loved ones would like.  There was love involved in the preparation of this meal, and it showed.

It was just like He said:  All of these things worked together, and it was good. 

~ "you shall rejoice in your feast" ~

Deuteronomy 16:14

~

Appreciation for Everything

"God provides by His hand"

Job 12:6

Several years ago, while driving home from church, my ten-year-old car died on the freeway.  We had it towed to our mechanic, and we began that agonizing, "Is it time to buy a new car or do we spend the money to repair it" conversation.  We prayed, we looked at new cars, we got advice, and we decided to repair it.

A little over a month later, as I drove home from Bible study, my car died in the middle of an intersection.  I pulled over and it started right up again, but something had changed for me.  I no longer trusted the car.  I no longer felt it was reliable for me and my kids.  And that night, sitting in church, my prayer to God was, "Lord, please, I'd like a new car."  It was respectful, but it was bold.

He knew I wasn't saying, "Gimme, gimme," but that I was expressing my desire to Him, and humbly asking if He would bless it.  I knew it would be tricky for us to rework our budget to add in a car payment, but I knew there were things we'd be able to drop.  It was not going to be easy to afford, but I was asking God to make it possible.  That was a Wednesday.

The following Sunday, we met my in-laws for lunch after church, and they had a surprise for us.  My husband's great-aunt, who knew nothing about our car situation, had cashed in an annuity, and decided to gift us.  And there, in our hands, was the money for a new car.

God provides what we need.  Always.  We recognize that in our food and clothing and shelter ~ and transportation.  But it's more than that.  He provides grace and salvation and the ability to forgive.  And He asks obedience of us, and then provides the faith that enables us to obey.  And He provides the blessings that result.

Every day there are beautiful reminders that God is our Provider.  Jehovah Jireh.  But if there's one day we can forget that, I think, surprisingly, it's Christmas Day.  I'm always grateful for all the blessings on that day ~ fun and wonderful things that I unwrap ~ but those are generally things I want, not things I need.   On Christmas Day, I'm grateful for the gifts He has enabled us to have, and I think I lose track of all things I need, that He has provided. 

And I think that's okay.  He knows I'm thinking of Him.  I think He's forgiving of the fact that there are things I'm forgetting to thank Him for, when I'm thanking Him for so many other things.  But I have to remember that the things I need keep coming, even when I'm not thinking about them.

On that day, all those years ago, when my husband carried in his wallet that check from his great-aunt, we went out to dinner.  Not the Ritz or anything, just California Pizza Kitchen.  And sitting there, looking at the menu, I felt a feeling I had never felt before.  I felt rich.  And I married an artist, so it was not something I ever expected to feel!  I thought, "I don't even need to look at the prices!  I can order an appetizer, dinner, and dessert!"  I felt freedom; a complete lack of worry.  And I felt as if God said to me, "This is what you're supposed to feel like all the time."

He provides things we need, and He provides things we want.  What we provide is appreciation for all of it.  Every day.

~ "in everything give thanks;

  for this is the will of God

     in Christ Jesus for you" ~

1 Thessalonians 5:18

~

Things are looking up!

"Abraham lifted his eyes and looked"

Genesis 22:13

We've been studying Genesis in church, and last Sunday we arrived at chapter 22, in which Abraham's faith is severely tested by God.  It's a favorite passage of mine, not only for the substance of it, but because I taught it several years ago, which means I read and re-read and studied and researched and prayed over it.  And there's simply no better way to experience the Bible. 

One of the things that was new to me, when I studied it, was my focus on Isaac.  I'd always seen this passage from the viewpoint of Abraham, but I think that was also because I grew up believing that Isaac was a small child when this even took place, and that he didn't really know what was going on.  My research into language, and the opinions of scholars, took me to a new understanding.

We see Abraham and Isaac arrive at the place to which God directed them.  They’d been traveling for three days, talking about what, the weather?  How the crops were doing?  They’d presumably been stopping for meals, and to bed down for the night.  Had they been praying together?  Laughing together?  Enjoying some guy time away from Mom?  Yet all the while, Abraham knew what was ahead.   

Then they stopped, and Abraham instructed the two young men to wait for them.  “The lad and I will go and worship, and we will come back to you.”  I love Abraham’s choice of words.  First of all, the faith inherent in the words “WE will come back to you.”  Hebrews tells us that Abraham believed, up until he took the knife in his hand, that God would resurrect Isaac, even though it had never happened before.  But Abraham had already seen a miracle: from a man and woman as good as dead, God had brought life.

It is also significant that Abraham said “We are going yonder to worship.”  I do not believe this was just what he told them to keep them from stopping him.  His obedience to God’s command was worship.  “Worship” means "to perform an act of reverent love and devotion" and it is not confined to bowing down before a statue, or to the first 20 minutes of Sunday morning church service.  Performing the act that Abraham was preparing to could only be done out of reverent love and devotion, and I believe that is what was in Isaac’s heart too. 

In verse 7 we hear from Isaac for the first time, as he asked his father the question that affects all of us.  “Where is the lamb?”  And verse 8 is one of the verses that remind me why I love to study this book so much.  Abraham’s answer was that God would supply the sacrifice.  But in the King James version it says, “God will provide Himself, the Lamb…” Abraham is answering Isaac’s question, but he is also prophesying the gospel, though he does not know it.

When they arrive, Abraham built an altar, and arranged the wood on it.  How many times had Isaac seen his father build an altar, or offer a sacrifice on one?  But this time is different.  Never before has his father gone to make a sacrifice, without an animal to offer.  And here is where I believe we see Isaac perform his act of reverent love and devotion.  Verse 9: “Abraham bound Isaac, his son…”  

Now, theologians do disagree on exactly how old they believe Isaac was at this time, but I didn't read anyone of the opinion that he was a young child.  Some say late teens, some say in his twenties.  One commentator said 33.  In verse 5, Abraham referred to him as a “lad”, which only tells us he was unmarried.  At any rate, we are talking a young man, probably at his peak of strength, and his 120-ish year old father.  I’m not sure Abraham could beat Isaac at arm-wrestling, much less a struggle to bind him. 

I have no choice but to understand that Isaac acquiesced to what he must have now realized was happening.  Abraham heard God’s voice.  Isaac had only a sinful, flawed, earthly father as his guide.  I’m reminded of the effect Lot’s words had on his daughters and his sons-in-law as he urged them to flee Sodom.  Lot had no authority in their eyes because of how and where he chose to live his life.  But Isaac saw in his father a man faithful... and righteous… 

There’s a poem that says:

I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

I would rather have you walk with me

       than simply point the way.

The eye is a more ready pupil than ever was the ear.

Advice may be confusing, but example is crystal clear.

Abraham’s example to Isaac was not perfect, but Isaac saw submission modeled, and his response was to submit.  In many ways, Isaac is a picture of Jesus not only carrying the wood for the sacrifice, as Jesus carried His cross; but also submitting to the will of his father, as Jesus Himself was obedient to His Father, even unto death.

As the Angel of the Lord called out to Abraham not to harm Isaac, Abraham looked up and saw something unexpected – a ram caught in a thicket by its horns.  This was not the solution he anticipated.  He had been thinking that God would raise Isaac up.  To Isaac, he spoke of the lamb that God would provide.  But what he saw was a ram. 

The fact that Abraham saw a ram instead of a lamb tells me that this is not the fulfillment of Abraham’s prophecy in verse 8.  The question that Isaac asked, “Where is the Lamb?” would not be answered until John the Baptist answered it, saying of Jesus, “Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” 

Now, Abraham was not instructed to offer this ram instead of Isaac, but I imagine that God knew Abraham wasn’t leaving that place without sacrificing something, so He provided an alternative, and Abraham knew God’s solution when he saw it.  

This is one of the advantages to being, as Abraham was, a friend of God.  Being with God, in His Word, and in prayer, enables us to think as He does.  The Israelites, trapped between Pharaoh and the Red Sea, could not possibly have foreseen the solution God provided, but Moses knew to lead them.  The Hebrew soldiers, taunted daily by the Philistine giant Goliath did not recognize God’s solution when they saw it, but David was a man after God’s own heart, and he knew what to do.   

What about us?  Abraham saw the ram because he lifted his eyes and looked.  How often do we wonder “why?” or “how” without ever sitting down with Him to hear the answer “I’ll tell you why….” Or “Here’s how…” ? 

To see the solution, we need to lift up our eyes to Him.  We need to trust His promises, and then walk out that trust in our actions.  Remember what God has done, and believe in what He is going to do.  Be ready.  Be excited.  

And don't take your eyes off of Him.  You don't want to miss what's coming!

~ "And Abraham called the name of the place,

The-Lord-Will-Provide" ~

Genesis 22:14

~

Giving and Getting

"now look, it is dry"

Joshua 9:12

I had to use a laundry "trick" this morning.  For my Awesome Girl.  We were getting ready to go over to my folks' house, to visit with my sister and her family, who are in town.  And my daughter was looking for a particular pair of jeans to wear.

Parenthetically, can I just say?  We're having a surprising amount of "jeans weather" in Southern California.  Cloudy until the afternoon, and only high 70s or low/mid 80s.  I am just loving it.  I'm pretty sure I'm gonna pay for it with the hottest September on record, so I'm trying to enjoy what we've got now!

Anyhow, so my girl was looking for the jeans she wanted to wear, and we found them in the washing machine ~ clean, yes, but hardly pret-a-porter. 

So I did what my mother taught me to do if you want something to dry quickly.  Put it in the dryer with one dry towel.  That's it.  With only one wet item, the heat of the dryer can be concentrated on that item.  And the dry towel will help absorb the wet, allowing the jeans to dry faster.

I know; it's not rocket science.  But it's a helpful trick when you're in a hurry.

All of this made me think of that old joke:  What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?  Answer:  a towel.

I know.  I'll give you a minute to get your giggling under control. 

I loved that joke when I was a kid ~ the wordplay of it and the fact that it's true.  The towel is performing a service to us when it dries our hands, or our bodies.  But in the process, it becomes what we used to be:  wet.   And sometimes I think we can feel that way when we're giving of ourselves:  our energy, our time, our skills... it takes from us. 

But not everything is like that.  Not everything we offer takes from us.  Like grace.  Mercy.  Forgiveness.   That stuff we get from Him, so as the saying goes, "There's plenty more where that came from." 

It means, of course, that we need to be frequently in touch with the Source of these blessings.  But that time with Him, in prayer in in His Word, will enable us to give and give without feeling empty.  He fills us, to enable us to fill others.  

Sort of makes us the answer to the question, "What gets fuller and fuller the more it fills?"  So pour out!

~ "Now may the God of hope fill you

         with all joy and peace in believing" ~

Romans 15:13

~

Tis the season for reliance

"summer is near"

Matthew 24:32

June is a fun and funny and weird and exciting month of the year for me.  School is trying to wrap up for the summer.  By that I mean that we really don't stop school in the summer.  We go year-round here in our humble li'l homeschool.  But we slow down in the summer, take it a little easy.  But the kids have finished or are close to finishing in certain subjects, and I need to start looking ahead to make sure I have the textbooks they need for their next grade.

And in Bible Study, though we take a break for the summer, I have responsibilities.  I help run the class, so there are a few meetings and a few decisions that have to be made over the summer. 

So even while I'm celebrating the slowing down of my schedule, it's necessary for me to look ahead.  There is planning to be done, and action to take once I've done the planning.  And I'm very aware that the energy needed is not coming from me.

'Cause I get tired this time of year.  Sometimes it feels like all I want to do is stop thinking about school and sports and responsibilities entirely.  Not to mention having to make dinner every night.  But that's impossible.

So I've come to like the feeling of dependence I have, on Him.  I like being reminded that I can't do everything ~ or anything ~ I need to without Him.

A few years ago, in church on Sunday, our worship leader started the first song of the morning, after asking us to stand, and nothing happened.  It's a fairly small church, and I guess fairly casual, and so he just stood there, talking through his mic to the guys in the sound booth, as they tried to figure out why his mic was working, but not his guitar.  I'm sure they tried pushing a few buttons, or pulling a few levers, or whatever they do in there.

Until he looked down and realized his guitar wasn't plugged in.

Now, of course, he could still have played the guitar without it being plugged in.  But it wouldn't have been as powerful.  Only those closest to him would have benefitted.   But when it's plugged in, he has the ability to bless far more people. 

I could still accomplish things if I weren't asking God to lead me and strengthen me.  But I can be much more effective, and feel much stronger if I'm staying "plugged in".  My daily efforts are daily reminders that I need Him!

~ "When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" ~

Psalm 61:2

~

Answers to yesterday's quiz:

1.  (a) 30 years  (Luke 3:21-23)
2.  (a) Ravens (1 Kings 17:3-6)
3.  (c) Bricks (Exodus 5:7,16)
4.  (b) Talent (2 Chronicles 36:3)
5.  (c) Levi (Genesis 6:10)
6.  (b) Gideon (Judges 6:39)
7.  (a) Depths of the sea (Micah 7:19)
8.  (b) Omega (Revelation 22:13)
9.  (d) Bethsaida (John 1:44)
10. (c)Bed (Matthew 9:6-7)

A Lesson ~ yes, from brown paper bags

"provide yourselves bags"

Luke 12:33

I'm doing it again.

I'm stockpiling grocery bags.

I am not a hoarder by nature.  Probably the only thing I have more than my share of is books.  I don't hang on to old newspapers or empty egg cartons or half-used batteries.  Storage space is at a bit of a premium in our home, so if I hang on to something, it's because I've made a deliberate decision to.

Although now that I think about it, if the Apple of my Eye had his way, we'd probably have fewer empty cardboard boxes in our garage.  But I hate when need to ship something, and there's nothing to ship it in.  And you never know what size you're going to need.  In addition, I need to store school papers and textbooks, and basically you just never know when you might need a box, right?  But even those I only keep if it's a size I think might be useful. 

So basically, if it's in my possession, it's been carefully chosen.

Now, with all that being said, I do have a couple of weaknesses when it comes to stockpiling.  (Stockpiling sounds better than hoarding, doesn't it?  It sounds like I'm prepared.) 

One of those weaknesses is grocery bags.  Brown paper bags.  Not the plastic ones; I hate those.  They are too wimpy, and they spill their contents in the back of the car on the way home from the store.  But the brown paper ones are awesome.  They hold more, and they hold it more successfully.  And we can use them more than once, and then we use them for trash.  The plastic bags won't work for that.

And yes, I also use reusable bags, too, but I can't use those for my trash, either. 

But not all grocery stores around here carry brown bags.  I guess the plastic bags are cheaper, so they figure if they're going to provide bags for free, they're gonna provide the cheap ones.   So when I am in a store that carries them, that's what I ask for.  And then after unloading my groceries, I fold up the bags and put them on a shelf in the garage.  And when that shelf has a good-sized stack of bags, then I use reusable for awhile until the supply of brown bags is dwindling.  Then I stop using the reusable bags until I replenish my supply.

Riveting story, isn't this?

But I've gotten a little paranoid over the past several months.  I think I'm afraid that my government, who won't let me use the light bulbs I want, and who has more of a say about my health care than I want, is going to ban the use of brown bags.  For my own good, of course.  Much like New York City tried to ban large sodas.

So when my shelf was full of brown bags, I opened up space on another shelf, and I started a new stack.

But I realized with a start the other day, that I have a whole lot of brown bags, and then I realized that the reason is that I'm paranoid.  I'm worried that at some point I will run out of brown bags, and have to figure out something else for my kitchen trash.

Now, does that sound like someone who is at peace?  Does that sound like someone who is trusting that God will provide ~ if not brown bags, then another solution?

"My son, God will provide"

Genesis 22:8

"And Abraham called the name of the place, 

The-Lord-Will-Provide"

Genesis 22:14

"And so it was, because they feared God, that He provided"

Exodus 1:21

"Rejoice... He will provide"

Deuteronomy 32:43

"Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, 

'May the good Lord provide'"

2 Chronicles 30:18

"You will provide"

Psalm 65:3

"You, O God, provided from Your goodness"

Psalm 68:10

"God shall supply all your need 

according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus"

Philippians 4:19

Any questions?

~

C is for Cookie ~ That's good enough for me

"his allowance was a continual allowance

given him of the king, 

a daily rate for every day, 

all the days of his life."

2 Kings 25:30

I baked homemade dog cookies today.  I decided it would be cheaper to make them myself, since we're on a tight budget.  Plus, we always buy the cheapest brand we can, which means they aren't always the right size for our lil barker, so then we have to break them all up into smaller pieces so that we can get even more for our money!  But when I bake them myself, I can make them in just the right size for her.  The kids and I tried them, and they taste pretty boring, but it's okay, cuz we're talking about a dog who eats things you don't want to know about...

I've had many a head-shaking, eye-rolling conversation with the Apple of my Eye, about dog cookies.  We just don't have the same point of view on this issue.  I don't understand why he still feels the need to reward her every time she does what nature has called her to do. 

He says the reward is not for answering the call of nature, it's for answering the call of nature outside, as opposed to in the house. 

I maintain that she's been housebroken for about eight years now, so I think she's pretty much trained.  After all, I don't still give my kids stickers and m'n'ms when they wake up dry.  Incentive used.  Child trained.  Done and move on. 

But, either on principle or out of habit (begging the question, "Who trained who?") every day Holly gets her ration of treats. 

"Did someone say 'cookie'?"

Which, really, in the grand scheme of things, is fine with me.  There are far bigger issues that I should allow to take up space in my brain.  

And I think, for Holly, it must be wonderful.  I mean, she gets fed every day, but what a treat to also get, well, a treat!  It's not much; just a little something from those she loves most in the world. 

So naturally, while thinking about all this today, I thought about Mephibosheth. 

Didn't you?

I love the story of Mephibosheth, as I may have mentioned in the past.  We find him in 2 Samuel, in a few different chapters, but mostly in chapter 9.  He was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of King Saul, and David's closest friend.  And after Jonathan had died and David had become king, David honored his treasured friendship with Jonathan by honoring Mephibosheth.  "Mephibosheth shall eat bread at my table always."  (2 Samuel 9:10)

It was an privilege for Mephibosheth, but it pleased David to do it.  And my favorite thing about that story, and about that verse, is the word "always".  There's just something about a promise from someone powerful; someone you know can fulfill that promise. 

It's the promise of manna. 

It's the promise of "Give us this day, our daily bread..."

And to be honest, it reminds me that it's not about much, but about consistency. 

God gives, every day.  He gives beauty and peace and joy and blessings. 

I can look over there -->,
     and think He has given them -->
          more than He has given me

and sometimes I do that...

But that means taking my eyes off of what is in my lap.  And to forget, is to cease to be thankful.

~ "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life" ~

Psalm 23:6

~

Little is Enough

"Jesus took the loaves"

John 6:11

We're studying the Gospel of John in my weekly Bible study.  It's always so fascinating to study the gospels, because there's so much to them.  Each writer wrote from a different angle, and for a different audience, and even at a slightly different time in history.  But when you read them all, and put them all together, you get such a wonderful, informative picture of Jesus' birth, and the years of His public ministry.

We recently studied chapter 6 of John.  It's a packed chapter, including Jesus feeding the 5,000 and also the account of Jesus walking on the water.  (That's the same instance where Peter walked on the water, but that's not included in the book of John.)  Plus, chapter 6 includes Jesus' discourse on being the Bread of Life.

Yup.  A packed chapter.

But one of the details that struck me on this reading was Philip and Andrew's reactions to the lack of food right before the miracle of the loaves and fishes.  All the disciples are kinda standing around, as Jesus says to them, "well, what are we gonna do about this?"

Although I don't think Jesus was the type to say "gonna"...

He was challenging them.  Testing them.  

Philips's response seems to indicate that he was thinking small, in terms of a solution to the problem.  He answered Jesus with the estimation of how much money it would cost to buy bread.  If, in fact, there were anywhere nearby to buy that much bread.

But you can tell by his words that he's sort of throwing up his hands.  He had thought of one solution, and discarded it, even before he got it all the way out of his mouth. 

It's a little disappointing to me, because I like Philip.  But I know that the other mentions of him in Scripture back up the fact that he was an outstanding man of God.   So we'll just assume he was having a bad day.

But I'm even more disappointed in Andrew's response to the problem.  Andrew has a suggestion, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish."  I imagine his voice is hesitant and questioning.   Meek and a little insecure.   But remember, these men had been with Jesus in Cana when He turned water into wine.  They know He can do something with nothing.

But then Andrew finished his sentence:  "... but what is this, among so many?"  It's as if he is saying, "nevermind."

Have you ever watched children play hide and seek?  And you see the seeking child come so close to where the hiding child is, but then they turn around and go a different way?  And you think "ohhh.... they almost had it!"

That's how I feel about Andrew here.  He came so close to solving the problem.  But that solution was not those loaves and fishes ~ that solution was Jesus.  Andrew came so close to saying, "We have a little bit of food.  Here, Jesus!  Feed them!"

I think this mistake, this "near miss" of Andrew's, bothers me so much because it's something I seem to see more and more.  People who are willing to serve God, but don't think it will be enough.  People who have a gift or talent or offering, but belittle it as they give it.  Or belittle it and then don't give it. 

It reminds me of the story of the widow's mite, in Mark 12 and Luke 21.  She threw her small amount into the treasury, without any shame or deprecating words about how, surely, this was too little to be of any use...

We are all poor.  When we give to the King of kings, we are giving out of our poverty.  And we can ~ and should ~ expect Him to take our little, and make it much. 

If you're hungry, look to Him to be fed.  And if you have something to offer, offer it ~ and then watch and see what He does. 

~ "The eyes of all look expectantly to You,

and You give them their food in due season" ~

Psalm 145:15

~

Peace, Love, and Silly Cow

"the Lord will grant you plenty"

Deuteronomy 28:11

One of my favorite things about winter ~ even in sunny Southern California ~ is that I get to drink hot chocolate.  I mean, I suppose I could drink hot chocolate in the summer, but it's not the same.

I don't drink coffee.  Never have.  So for the most part, tea is my drink of choice when I want a hot beverage.  But I love hot chocolate.  I love to try different varieties, different brands, different flavors.  And, I mean, I'm not really talking about Swiss Miss or Nestle or one of those. 

Which is to say, if you're going to open up a packet and add hot water, I'm really not interested.  But thanks anyway.

I mean a more, sort of, gourmet, hot chocolate, I guess.   I always love when Trader Joe's market comes out with their flavor of the season.  Which, this season, was the same as last season.... which is fine; I liked that.  But I was hoping for something new to try. 

In September, I went an a retreat with some of the women in my Bible study.  We went up to a friend's mountain cabin, where it was cool at night, so when we stopped in a store up there to get some supplies, I found some hot chocolate.  It was such a treat to have a nice mug of hot chocolate before bed.

Turns out, it's a wonderful brand.  First of all, let's talk about the packaging.

sorry; the picture is kinda small.  I got it off the company's website

I know, right?  It's like a little milk bottle.  Yes, I was attracted to the packaging.  As a consumer, I'm a marketer's dream.  What are ya gonna do?

Next, is the name of the brand.  Are you ready?  Silly Cow Farms.  Can you stand how adorable that name is?

Yup.  I'm a sucker.  But this time, it paid off.  Because it was some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had.  It was rich and chocolatey and velvety.  Delicious.  {This, of course, is not a paid opinion.  Just an enthusiastic one.}

The problem was, I had only purchased one bottle.  I had no idea it would be so good, and when I realized it, I wasn't able to go back and buy any more.  And the next day, we drove back down the mountain.  I knew I had to enjoy that jar because when it was gone, there wouldn't be any more.  It would be at least a year until I got anywhere near that store again.

Okay, now flash forward to December.  In my family, everyone generally gives a few gift suggestions to one another, so one of the things I said I'd love was some hot chocolate.  It's not too expensive, and I thought that since some of my relatives shop at stores that are different than where I shop, I might get something new and different. 

And on Christmas morning, I opened a package from my in-laws that included a tin of silky, rich, dark chocolate powder ~ and a bottle of Silly Cow Farms hot chocolate. 

Merry, merry Christmas. 

I was excited to have another bottle, but when I thanked my mother-in-law, it got even better.  She told me that she found it in her local store, and she'd be happy to get me some more if I needed it. 

Which means, I not only do I have more than one bottle of Silly Cow Farms, I also have a source for more.

And that joy in my life ~ yes, hot-chocolate-induced joy ~ made me thankful to God.  And not just for hot chocolate, but for the fact that I have a source.  And not just a source for hot chocolate. 

I started thinking about how God is my source of strength and wisdom and grace and forgiveness.  If we need it ~ not just want it, but need it ~ He's got it for us.  In unlimited supply.

So what do you need?  Patience?  Courage?  Perseverance?  Hope?  Faith?  Love?  Understanding?  How about peace, joy, or a miracle?  Yup.  He's got 'em.  Try asking.

He is everything we need.  And He's all we need.

~ "trust in the living God, 

who gives us richly all things to enjoy" ~

1 Timothy 6:17

~

Meeting your need

"according to each one's need"

Exodus 12:4

I once overheard an exchange between friends, and though I wasn't part of the conversation, I learned something that has stuck with me ever since.   Really, it was just a new way of looking at things, but who couldn't benefit from a change in perspective once in awhile?

The one friend was complaining about some huge, unexpected expense in her life ~ an appliance breakdown, a car repair... But the cost wasn't really her complaint.  Her complaint was that her husband had just gotten an unexpected bonus from work, and now that was going to be gone.  She said, "How come every time I get ahead financially in some way, there's something that comes up I have to spend that money on?"  And the second friend replied, "Did you ever think that God was providing you with what you need, before you need it?"

Well after I heard that, I started to see it happening in my own life once in awhile.  It probably happens more than once in awhile, but I guess I don't always see it...

But I started thinking about it again recently when a friend of mine shared something nice that happened to her.  Her oldest is off to college ~ all the way across the country, on an athletic scholarship.  It was the weekend she left home.  She and her father had flown halfway across the country, and spent a day with some friends.  Then the next morning, they flew the rest of the way across the country.  And when they arrived at their destination, the girl realized she had lost her wallet at the restaurant where they had dinner, at the halfway point.

This was a big deal because losing your wallet is a big deal.  But also because the girl now had no ID, and could not start school without it.  She couldn't register for classes, she couldn't get into her dorm, or get her dining room card or her school ID.  This was a Friday evening, she was supposed to start class the following Monday.  My friend called me because she was worried and stressed and wanted someone to be praying for the situation.  You know how it feels when your child needs help, and you're all the way across the country?  Helpless; that's how it feels.  Her husband was there with their daughter, but my friend was anxious and wanted to be there, too.

Now, all of this was taking place while she was at work.  Her two younger daughters were at home (younger, but still mid-teens).  They were supposed to be doing homework and chores until their mother got home.

But when she got home, my friend discovered that on this day ~ of all days ~ well, let's just say they had not been totally focused on their chores and homework.

Or rather, they had not been totally focused only on their chores and homework.   They had also cleaned the house, baked cookies, and made lemonade.  This is what was waiting for my friend when she got home from work, worried and stressed.

Cookies and lemonade, flowers and a clean house.  Think that was a coincidence?  I don't.  I think God prompted the girls, because He knew the timing was perfect for my friend to receive the gift.  Her daughters didn't know she needed it, but He did.

I love that about Him.  It's such a wonderful sign of His wisdom, and His love for us.  He not only knows what we need before we know we need it, He also provides what we need before we know we need it!

(Oh, and God got everything worked out with the college, too!   :)   She started her classes that Monday!)

~ "The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want...

You prepare a table before me...

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over" ~

Psalm 23:1, 5

Takes one to know one

"I have given you an example"

John 13:15

Well, in between watching the Olympics, and trying to stay cool as the mercury rose, I found myself doing some Algebra today.   I know it's summer, but we never stop school completely for the summer.  There's always more to learn, and I think if we're not careful, our brains can atrophy if we stop learning!  And that goes for all of us! 

Awesome Girl has just a few more lessons in her Algebra book, so we're getting those completed so that she can start the next level of math in a few weeks.  She's pretty excited.  No, really!  :)  She's good at math, and enjoys the challenge. 

But before we could start today's lesson, we had to go over yesterday's.  If she gets any problems wrong, we go over those and make sure she understands whatever she didn't understand when she originally did the problem.

For one of those problems today, she had an interesting response when we went over it.  She said she had been unsure how to proceed with the problem, because it was unlike any of the "practice" problems in the text, so she couldn't see the step-by-step to solving it.  She kinda said, "Ohh.... there weren't any examples of that kind for me to follow."

That statement really gave me pause.  She was right; it was a new concept, and it would have been helpful for her to see a couple of different kinds of possibilities she might encounter.  And I started thinking about Scripture, and how the Bible is full of examples, of many different kinds, for us to follow.  Maybe that's why the book is so big!

Kings and queens, shepherds and soldiers, teachers, farmers, priests, midwives, artists, tentmakers and a carpenter.  Impatient, disobedient, weak, cowardly, discouraged... leaders and followers, rich and poor, fathers and mothers and grandmothers.  And more.  Men and women, and even children showing us how ~ or how not to ~ live for God. 

I love that about the Bible.  I love that there is someone you can relate to.  Probably several someones, depending on the circumstance you are living through.   Some of them are more "famous" than others.  But they're there for you.   Find them, and learn from them.

"all these things happened to them as examples, 

and they were written for our admonition"

1 Corinthians 10:11

Nowhere to run to, baby?

"Therefore you shall flee!"

Isaiah 30:16

Our family all got new cell phones a few weeks ago.  The one that the kids use when they're away from home was so old it needed to be replaced, and my Hubby's would never work from home, so he's been wanting to switch to a different company, to get better coverage.  My phone was fine, and I loved it, but we all gotta be on the same plan, so....

So I'm still learning the in's and out's of my new phone.  How to do all the stuff I do ~ which is really just receive calls, and text my kids and hubby ~ and learning any features that are new to me, that I might want to make use of.

So the other day I asked my Awesome Girl to see if I have any games on my phone.  I really am not one to play electronic games, but I thought if they were there, I might make use of it once in awhile when I'm having to wait someplace. 

But it turns out, the only thing my phone came with is a demo version of Pac-Man.

I hate Pac-Man. 

While I don't play a lot of computer games, the ones I do play are things like Solitaire, and Mahjong.  Games where I can relax, take my time, maybe use a little strategy.  And if it's something that's timed, that's fine, as long as it's just me trying to beat my best time. 

And I hate games where I have to rush to avoid losing, or worse ~ games where I'm being pursued.  Those make me crazy; panicky.  And I hate that in a game like Pac-Man, I'm being chased, and I have nowhere to run to.  No "safe" place. 

I need a safe place.  Fortunately, it's only a concern for me in video games.  I think about that sometimes, when something is worrying me, or when I don't know what to do with an upcoming decision.  I can always rely on the knowledge that even if I make a mistake, He'll take care of me.  That if something is wrong in my life, I can flee to Him through prayer, or in His Word.  He promises peace in trials (Philippians 4:6-7); wisdom in confusion (James 1:5); and courage in fear (Isaiah 41:10).

If you gotta flee, He's the place to be.

"Indeed we do come to You,

 for You are the Lord our God"

Jeremiah 3:22

Neediness

"I take pleasure in needs... 

for when I am weak, then I am strong"

2 Corinthians 12:10

I needed a friend to provide a ride home for my Amazing Boy today, because I had someplace I had to be.

I needed a car in order for me to drop him off, and to get me where I had to be. 

I needed a hearty lunch, because I wasn't able to have dinner tonight. 

I needed a chair to be able to prep for the study I had to attend. 

I needed materials and a brain to be able to teach my kids.

I needed kids with the ability to learn what I was teaching them. 

I needed my husband to go to his job, so that I could be a stay-at-home mom.

I needed a good breakfast to start my day. 

I needed a warm bed to rise out of first thing in the morning.

I needed a home in which to be a stay-at-home mom.

I needed a working washer and dryer to do my laundry for me.

Truth be told, all I really needed today ~ every day ~ is Him. 

~ "God shall supply all your need 

    according to His riches in glory 

   by Christ Jesus" ~

Philippians 4:19

Here at the wall

"the sparrow has found a home"

Psalm 84:3

I know these pictures can be small, but can you tell what that is?  It's a wall.  And not a very well-built one.

Well, actually, I shouldn't say that.  It's well-built, in that it's still standing after many years, but it's sloppily done.  The mortar was not troweled as the wall was built, it was just left to ooze out between the bricks.  Now, years later, part of it has fallen off and there are a few holes in between bricks.  It's not very attractive.

Well, actually, I shouldn't say that.  It's aesthetically pleasing, in a historic way.  But it's not sleek and beautiful.  I would also not use the words "inviting" or "hospitable" to describe it.

And yet.... here's the whole picture:

My Awesome Girl took this picture when we were in San Antonio, Texas, last year.  This was near the Alamo.  So I don't know how old it is, but it could be as much as a hundred years.

It looked like the last place a bird would want to hang out, but there were dozens of them on that wall.  So clearly it held some appeal for them.  They found something they need there.  A perch.  Safety.  Height.  God provided for them, and they accepted the place He provided.

I've always loved the phrase "bloom where you're planted".  It's not Biblical, per se, but the sentiment is.  Where God has you, and what He has for you, is part of His plan.  Accept it.  Enjoy it.  Sometimes ~ or maybe often ~ we want something that looks like what we think it should look like.   But really, what do I know about where I should be?  After all, I wouldn't have chosen that wall as a resting place for those sparrows.  But they liked it there.  So if they can trust Him, of course I can, too.  After all, as the old hymn says, "His eye is on the sparrow, so I know He watches me."

~ " 'I will put My Spirit in you, 

and you shall live, 

and I will place you in your own land.  

Then you shall know 

that I, the Lord, have spoken it 

and performed it,' says the Lord." ~

Ezekiel 37:14

Waste not, want not

"Having then gifts... let us use them"

Romans 12:6

I was running some errands last week, driving in the rain.  I like driving in the rain, cuz I like rain.  I like the cool grey skies, and the rich green color of the leaves when the sun is not shining on them.  Sometimes, if it's only drizzling, I even have my sunroof open.  Which, of course, makes it a rainroof.  My kids just love it when I do that.  Not.  But they do tolerate it.  They're good kids ~ Amazing and Awesome, you know.

But when I was running errands, it was raining pretty hard.  Not driving rain, you understand.  Just me, driving in the rain.  But I saw two things that got me thinking.  Actually, it was sort of one thing, two times.

The first was at a bus-stop I drove by.  There was one person waiting, a young man who looked to be in his early to mid-20s.  But he looked like he was slightly developmentally disabled.  One of those wonderful stories of someone who started life a little behind everyone else, but was loved and taught enough to function in society.  Maybe he even has a job, and the bus is how he gets there.

There was no shelter at this bus-stop, just a sign and a bench, and the young man who was waiting had an umbrella in his hand.  It was open, but he wasn't holding it over his head.  He was holding it sort of in front of his face.  I don't know if he was inspecting it, or was confused about the service it was supposed to be performing for him, or simply liked to feel the rain on his head.  I was just driving by, so I didn't get to assess the situation very well.  But I thought, well, that piece of equipment is not really doing the job it was intended to do...

So I kept driving, and when I was arriving at my destination, I saw a woman walking her dog.  And it was still raining.  But she had an umbrella, so she was nice and dry.  But her dog was walking along behind her, looking drenched and bedraggled. 

{Okay, side note here.  Because I love words, I just looked up the word "bedraggled".  I wanted to see if it meant the same thing as "drenched" because I didn't want to be redundantly repetitive.  Turns out that "bedraggled" is really a combination of the root word "draggled" and the prefix "be".  Did you know "draggled" was a word??  This is my new favorite word, simply because I never knew it existed.  It means "dirty or wet, typically by being trailed through mud or water".  Now, when you add the "be" in front of it, it means "thoroughly draggled".  Betcha didn't know that!  So now that I think about it, "drenched and bedraggled" seems a bit much...  Okay, back to the dog now.}

Her dog was walking along behind her, looking very wet.  Because although the woman had an umbrella, it was only over her.  Which makes sense; it's what I would do if I walked my dog in the rain.  But it struck me as odd, after seeing the man at the bus-stop.  Here were two cases where this tool was not doing all it could.  In both cases, there was an umbrella in the vicinity, and still someone getting wet.

And I started to wonder what there is in my life, that God has given me, that I'm not using to its full potential.  Maybe gifts He has given me, that I'm hiding under a bushel.  Maybe friends in my life who could be teaching or encouraging me if I made the time to connect with them more often.  Certainly I could say it about the Bible, which spends more time sitting on my table than it does open in my lap.

It's foolish to leave something valuable behind.  It's thoughtless to ignore something you have, that someone else wishes they had.  It's rude to ignore a gift someone has given you.  What umbrella do you have, that you are not using to its full potential?

~ "that you may be perfect and complete, 

   lacking nothing" ~

James 1:4

Necessary Faith

"God tested Abraham"

Genesis 22:1

Sacrifice is a difficult word for us.  At its worst, it's a reminder of the unpleasant acts necessary in the Old Testament, for sins to be forgiven.  Even at its best, it's the surrendering of something precious to us.

But God instructed Abraham:  “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love… and offer him as a burnt offering...”  It's a painful, almost inconceivable command, but God has so much for us in this sentence.  First of all, He referred to Isaac as Abraham’s “only son”.  He says that more than once.  Hebrews 10:17 tells us, “Their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more.”  Ishmael was the fruit of Abraham’s impatience, and God doesn’t even acknowledge him.  

Next, is God’s use of the word “son”.  He uses the word 13 times in 19 verses.  Do you think He wants us to know that He gets it?  That He knows what He is asking?  And this is the first use, in the Bible, of the word “love”.  And the first time God uses this word, it doesn’t have to do with husband and wife, or mother and child, but father and son. He doesn’t make this command lightly.  He wants Abraham to know – He wants us to know – that He gets what he’s asking Abraham to do.

God is very direct here.  He tells Abraham where, he tells him what, and he tells him when.  And in obedience, Abraham rises EARLY IN THE MORNING to saddle his donkey, split the wood necessary, take Isaac and two young men, and set off to do as the Lord commanded.  Verse 3 says “he rose early in the morning AND saddled his donkey AND split the wood AND went to the place…” The word “and” used here, in the original language implies continual, deliberate, willful action, without hesitation.   

But what enabled Abraham to obey so immediately?  The same faith that stirred him to action so many years before.  Hebrews tells us  “By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.”  “By faith, he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country.” And  “By faith he offered up Isaac.”  If it were possible to measure the faith necessary to obey this command, it would be the Grand Canyon of faith.  Or the Mount Everest of faith.  Where does Abraham get this faith?  Would I have it?  Would you?  Yes.  Abraham got his faith the same place you and I get ours.  From God Himself. 

Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  Jesus commanded the lame man, “Rise, pick up your mat, and walk” and at Jesus’ words, the man was enabled to obey.  Our faith comes from His Word.  The faith to obey not just when it makes sense.  Charles Spurgeon said, “Without our God, we should fear to move, but when the Lord bids us go, it would be dangerous to tarry.”  What opportunity is God giving you, to exercise your faith?  He is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides.  We can trust Him to provide the faith that empowers us to obey.  

~ "Abraham called the name of the place, 

'The-Lord-Will-Provide' " ~

Genesis 22:14

I've got plenty of sauce, too...

"the Author and Finisher of our faith"

Hebrews 12:2

Remember I told you a couple months ago that my in-laws had moved?  Although I miss them, that made for a nice discovery this morning.  See, the other night, when I made dinner,  I used up all the pasta we had in the house.  I'm not planning on going to the store for several days, and pasta is really a staple in our house.  The kids and I are home all day, every day, so it's somebody's lunch at least once a week.  Maybe more.  And maybe breakfast, too.  (That would be my Awesome Girl, who thinks there's no reason why lunch and dinner foods can't be breakfast, too.)  And normally I'd keep some extra in the pantry, but, well, you know how it goes sometimes...

So it's unusual for us to be without pasta in the cupboard.  We'll manage, of course; it's just odd.  But this morning, Awesome Girl went looking for some more granola (yes, she likes breakfast foods for breakfast, too) for her yogurt.  We looked way back on the highest shelf of the pantry (where the stuff is hard to see) and guess what I found ~ pasta. 

When my in-laws moved, they gave us a lot of the surplus from their pantry.  When you're moving halfway across the country, the last thing you want to pay movers for, is a box labeled pasta...  So they gave us quite a bit, which I stuck in the back of the pantry, and forgot about.  And this morning I discovered I have a whole lotta pasta.  And I thought to myself, "Huh... I wonder what else I have that I don't know I have..."

And the answer to that is:  more than I think.  I think that sometimes, spiritually, we think we're low on something, or lacking something we need.  Like peace.  Or courage.  Or wisdom. 

Or maybe you think you don't have the talent, skill, or gift for what He has set before you.  Maybe you think you're missing the gift of teaching, or hospitality, or compassion.

But you're not.  You may not know that you have what you need, but you do.  It's just way in the back, waiting to be used.  And the reason you don't know you have it, is that you think it originates with you.  But you're not the source of anything good in you.  He is your supply, and He is never-ending. 

~ "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God... 

that the man of God may be complete, 

thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~

2 Timothy 3:16-17