God Provides

God Provides

by Marilyn Mackenzie

If you recall, in the weeks before our triple points week, there were many Gather folks complaining about money issues.  Many wondered how they would pay bills or even eat.  Triple points week helped us all, and those who were in the worst need worked fast and furiously.  I heard about one individual who was on Gather for 16 hours each day.  I couldn't do that, but by doing what I normally do, I got $57 that week.  And I am thankful.

Because of circumstances too much to go into right now, our money has been rather tight lately.  But I have tried not to worry too much.  Once I've given my cares to the Lord, I try not to take them back. 

One morning last week, I realized that we were about to run out of cat food.  That wouldn't do with two cats in the house.  But I didn't have the money to run to the store for more cat food.  Not long after the mail arrived, a Fedex truck pulled up outside and dropped a rather large package at the door.  Guess what was inside!  A large bag of cat food.  Yes, I had filled out a survey at one of the survey sites I visit regularly.  But I didn't realize I had been selected as one to receive a bag of cat food.  Boy, was I praising God for that timely arrival.

My son and I drink coffee regularly.  I used to buy a small container of coffee every two weeks, and by the end of the two weeks, it would almost be empty.  Then one day, the larger can was considerably reduced by a sale and I bought one of those.  Even though the can was approximately twice the size of the smaller one, it lasted much longer than twice the amount of time the smaller ones did.  Each morning as I peered inside the can, I was surprised to find coffee grounds there, especially after two months went by and there was still coffee!  I thanked God for providing so well for us.  I really had no other explanation, since our coffee consumption had not changed.  And yet the coffee supply seemed to be never ending.

Eventually, though, the coffee did start disappearing.  As I wondered about what would happen when the coffee was gone and there was no money to replace it yet, the mail carrier delivered a package that I was not expecting.  You guess it.  It contained a sample of coffee - just enough to get us buy until the next pay day and grocery shopping.

Our breakfast foods were running out too.  Not for hubby.  We make sure he has his cereal each morning, since he has to have a regular eating routine with his diabetes.  But there were no frozen pastries in the freezer and my box of cereal was almost empty.

Are you ready for this?  Sure enough, when the mail came that day, there was a coupon for a new kind of Kashi cereal.  The coupon was for a free box of cereal up to $4.20.  Kroger's had the cereal marked at $4.59, so I paid 39 cents for a big box of cereal.

And the frozen pastries?  Well...I was selected to try some from a survey I completed.  Fedex arrived with the pastries - kept frozen with dry ice  - at the very time I needed them most.

Many folks would call these occurances coincidents.  Not me.  I'm sure they're answered prayers. 

The surveys could have come at different times.  The foods could have arrived at times when I didn't need them as desparately as I did.  I don't believe in coincidences.  I believe that God provides.

 

 

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

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When my son was little, the kid's choir sang these words:

I will cast all my cares upon you,

I will lay all of my burdens down at your feet.

And any time, I don't know what to do,

I will cast my all cares upon you.

These links provide kids singing those words.  It's pretty inspiring. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP5AzV-hSzg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7m_aeB1Hc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPqGHvxBpuU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh8EeID7H-8&feature=related