" So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all of these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)
Something happened this week that reminded me of God's provision for my life, for all of our lives and I wanted to share this with all of you.
I was wanting to go to a particular play last weekend but did not want to go by myself. As I was scrolling through Facebook I saw where a friend of mine had expressed an interest in going to the same thing (or so I thought). So I sent her a message and asked her if she wanted to go with me. She replied that she was going with some friends of hers and that I was welcome to join them. I was so excited! So I purchased my ticket online and then evening of the play I met my friend for dinner. As we were talking she mentioned that she was looking forward to going to the theater and watching this production on the big movie screen. I paused and said, but the ticket I purchased was for a play not a movie. Come to find out this particular event was going on in two different cities on the same night! One was a play and the other was a movie! I purchased a ticket for a play. Of course she and her friends assured me that there would most probably be a ticket for me to purchase at the door! Now that was a statement that would take on a whole new meaning! Once we got to the theater it was very apparent that tickets were selling like hotcakes! As I was standing in line to purchase my ticket I heard the girl say that she only had one ticket left. The group I was with had purchased their tickets ahead of time. Thus I began considering what I was going to do for 2 hours while waiting for the movie to be over because I was sure there would not be a ticket left once I got up to the window. Low and behold, when we asked if there were any tickets left, she said I have ONE TICKET LEFT!! Hallelujah! I purchased that ticket and I was able to watch the movie with all of the other ladies! Amazing!
This situation brought to mind of how God always provides exactly what we need when we need it! Now using a ticket purchased for a movie may seem somewhat trivial to what God would provide. Then again, why wouldn't He do something like this? The odds of there being only one ticket left, the odds of my being the one who needed a ticket, and then the odds of being able to purchase this ticket are somewhat questionable! With God all things are possible! I thanked Him over and over for providing for me in this way!
Please don't misunderstand me, there are many situations where a need is great and at the time it doesn't seem like God is answering or attending to particular need. Believe me, I have been there! It is not an easy place to find yourself! When I had three miscarriages I questioned why God would let this happen and why He had not met my need, my desire to have more children. When my marriage fell apart I questioned why God did not step in and fix it and make everything OK. When I was transferred three hours away from my son and granddaughters to serve two churches, in a very rural area with not much to do I questioned why God would have me move so far away and so far outside of my comfort zone. When my ex husband, my son's father, my granddaughters "Papaw" suffered and died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 56 I questioned God as to why this had to be.
So answering the need for me to have a ticket for a movie seems quite incidental. But then again maybe it's not. For you see, God is always answering our prayers, making a way for us, and providing for our every need. It's just "us" that seem to miss the provision due to our limited understanding. Some unanswered prayers we will never have the answer to until we are with our Lord in heaven.
Looking back through all the trials, loss, and disappointment in my life I can see the hand of God at work in everything. He never left my side. He was there to comfort me when I grieved the loss of babies yet to be born. He was there to comfort me when I grieved over the loss of my marriage. God was there with me to strengthen and uplift me while living so far away from my family and friends. He gave me and my son strength to care for his dad the last few weeks of his life. Afterwards, God comforted us and gave us the ability to continue on.
God answered my need through His healing presence, love, mercy and grace. God answered and provided for my needs through my family, my friends, and the wonderfully loving churches I served during these difficult times.
ONE TICKET LEFT! I was so thankful God allowed me to be the one to receive it that night! It saved me from spending a lot of money shopping in the downtown stores! Haha! Plus I got to enjoy the movie with my friends!
What is it that you need right now in this moment? Peace? Healing? Forgiveness? Grace? Food to eat? Clothes to wear? Water to drink? Eternal life and freedom from the bondage's of sin and worldly ways? Jesus is the answer! God is the answer! He will provide!!
Jesus walks through all the fires of life with you! Refined, Renewed, and Restored!
