God's Provision

In my reading of the Bible, my knowledge of the stories from the Bible times, I often used to wonder why miracles don't seem to happen these days. I wondered why God chose to split the Red Sea for the Israelites, or how Jesus chose which paralyzed man to heal, or why He doesn't show up on a beach where I was swimming with a fish fry like He did for the disciples. I know that miracles happen, but in my knowledge of them, they seem to happen in foreign countries to people who have no other way. And when I think about it, it is the same in the Bible. Jesus didn't heal the the people who were healthy, He didn't feed the people who were at home with their pantries full, He didn't part the Red Sea so the Israelites could just go for a walk in the park. In each of these cases there is a need to be met, an opportunity for God to bless someone, and an opportunity for His glory to shine!

And, through my time here in Texas, living away from family, away from friends, and away from my mother's cooking, I'm learning that maybe miracles do happen to me, I just need to give God opportunity. I read a quote recently that reminded me of this: “When we are weak, Christ has the opportunity to be strong. When we are shattered, he can then go to work reassembling us. When we are defeated, he lends us his victory. When we are dispirited, he infuses us with his joy” (Gracia Burnham, To Fly Again). He provides when there is need. At home, my mom and dad do a pretty good job of making sure I'm warm, I'm fed, and I have a job to provide money. Here, not so much. So while I'm here, God has opportunity because I have need; and I am amazed to see the ways in which He provides. He is amazing. 

Just to give you a glimpse of the ways He provides, here is a list from this month (by no means complete) of things I have received, without any mention on my part of need:

-food (cereal, bacon, fruits, veggies, honey, hot chocolate, bread and biscuits, oatmeal, cupcakes, tamales, tortillas, chips, fish, a pumpkin, etc)

-a space heater (we're not using the main heater in our house because it heats the attic better than the house, and I was getting pretty chilly)

-a friend (she came out to visit, and took care of me when I got sick)

-a week off of work (right when I got sick, perfect timing)

-encouragement (sometimes things get hard, and encouragement seems to come when I least expect it and most need it)

-rides (I have a habit of walking most places, but I really appreciate those times when people surprise me by offering me a ride)

-necklaces (though they aren't a necessity, they are beautiful)

-money (both random generosity, and also some designated for gas, food, or bills)

-a house (to house sit for a couple of days, complete with a heater, bathtub, food, and dogs)

What a miracle! And looking back at this list, I can see that God doesn't provide only what I need, but He gives extra, enough that I can share with others and so double the blessing. How amazing is that!