Satisfy Me, Lord

Today, I am thankful for God’s provision. My surgery ended up being very expensive; we have six different services we are paying for, from doctors and hospitals to anesthesiology and medicine. I just paid this month’s bills and am so, so thankful that we continue to be able to afford the things we need.

I’m thankful for creativity, resourcefulness, and pre-planning. I love to give gifts and am a little concerned about Christmas this year. But my planning has paid off – I have already purchased many of the gifts we will be giving this year. Little K’s stocking stuffers have been gathered over the past several months. My parent’s gifts, my sister and her family, as well as my BFF’s gifts are all in my closet. I am halfway done with the hats I am making for the boys. We already purchased the supplies for Little K’s Christmas crafts for her extended family. I am re-evaluating some of the things on my purchase list and have already downloaded patterns for some decorations I was planning on purchasing. I’m looking forward to spending time in front of a warm fire, creating gifts of love for our family and home.

I’m thankful for what we already have: a beautiful home, a big yard, and the tools to take care of both. I was originally thinking about going shopping this weekend but, after paying the bills, would like to deep-clean the house instead. I would like to take the time to touch each beautiful thing in our house, remember the joy in purchasing each part, and appreciate how each piece works together to create a warm and loving environment.

Today, I will not worry about how to pay for the things we want or about acquiring more stuff. God has given us everything we need and will continue to provide for us.

Today's scripture passage is long but worth it:

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds!

“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion – do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers – most of which are never even seen – don’t you think He’ll attend to you? Take pride in you? Do His best for you?

“What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your like in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions., Don’t worry about missing out! You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”