God’s Perfect Provision

I’ll be showing more ornaments from my ‘Memory Swag’, but I’m using this one as a starting point. It was from the first year Ronald and I were married.

Ronald was a second or third year teacher making a whopping salary of $7000 a year. We were paying for my junior year of college and making a ridiculously high rent of $3oo a month. At that time, I was not very wise in money management. In other words, we were usually flat broke!

The first year, Mama gave us her shiny, silver tree. I wish it had held up better. These days, the vintage ones are worth a mint. Mama also helped me scrounge up some craft items so I could make ornaments for the tree. I used random beads on this little stuffed stocking to make a guitar, wreath , tree, and a few other little items to personalize it for Ronald.

During that time, we were pretty consistent tithers. As we were both raised in households who followed God on that account, we followed suit. I will admit I usually paid the tithes last in the budget, such as it was. Not a good idea. But through it all, God was faithful.

So many times, God showed His care for us in seemingly small ways. Once, we were going on a walk in our neighborhood. What we really wanted was an ice cream cone from Weber’s dairy. As we walked, I’m sure we complained about being so broke. Suddenly, Ronald spied something that didn’t fit along the sidewalk! It was a dollar bill! You’d have thought we won the lottery – which we never played but you get my drift. We hurried down the hill to Weber’s and bought an ice cream each. Praise the Lord! I got me some of the best butter pecan ice cream I’d ever had! The memory and the praise still lingers in my heart!

The main image above is of  the Wise men who were bringing gifts to baby Jesus. Along with their worship and adoration, they provided sustenance for the little family – probably for years.

I believe the Biblical lesson is this. From the beginning, God’s plan would be carried out with His blessing. He doesn’t leave us stranded when He has assigned a special task. No one else will be given the job Mary and Joseph had, but He does call us to do things for the Kingdom that require funding. May we have faith to trust God for His provision for our daily lives and for the extras He has called us to do.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT says, ‘God will generously provide all you need.’

And for what purpose? God provides for us who should then give to those who need it so they will praise God.

As generosity is rather a personal mandate for me, I also give to those who don’t need anything. I give things many times just to say ‘thank you.’ As I do the Swedish Death Purge, I am enjoying passing along God’s blessings. Legos, dolls, and books may not be blessings to others, but they were to me. Perhaps the recipients will remember my heart of caring and in the process, they will bless God – which means to praise and exalt Him.

Blessings to God and Blessings I pray for you!

KB