He Was There All Along, But Did You Even Notice?

Webster’s dictionary defines the word provision as: “the providing or supplying of something especially of food or other necessities." But truly, it’s so much more than that. God has been right beside me the whole time, even before I learned His name or even knew who He truly was. Isn’t it the truth though? We’re hesitant to speak His name in the work place, but the first in church to holler about the time He provided for us through a friend or family member.

But that was me years ago. A scared little nobody at the age of fourteen. My ninety pound body trembling as I held a brown bag stuffed with macaroni and cheese and milk from the local food pantry.

This tiny inviting church building with a group of ladies offering three heaping bags of food. I remember her holding my hand as I waited for my momma. I saw Jesus in her that day.

He provided through my mother and a clothing exchange at church. It’s almost laughable now. Why do we as humans sit and wring our hands over provision? Why does the very thought of a God whom created the Heavens providing something so simple as a heaping bag of clothes make us shudder? Why, more often than not do we allow pride to enslave and get the better of us?

I didn’t receive that job on my own, no. In His loving sovereignty He stepped in and provided at just the right time. He knew what I needed when I needed it.

But we grow older and puff up. More full of self and unwilling to admit that it was Him all along.

It was Him carrying us through every trial, every joy, every tear.

So, why do we even bother with worry? He’s got it all under control already!

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. -Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV)

God knows what we need! I never want to forget how good God is. Or even how on time He is.

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. -2 Kings 4:1-6

I always thought this passage is awesome. Can you imagine the widow’s initial shock and then pure joy as God’s provision was played out right before her very eyes? Elisha had been sent by God in His perfect timing to meet a need in her life. I see that same provision being played out in my own life today.

Every paycheck, every penny, each blessed nickel provided by the King Himself. Right when I needed it. That’s the beauty of our loving Heavenly Father. If we open up our eyes and just look around. Every single article of clothing. Every bit of food. All His that He has freely given. Because He loves me.

I want to be that kind of girl who never forgets what the Lord has done for me in the past and who looks joyfully towards what the Lord will do in my future.

I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. -Psalm 81:10

Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. -Jeremiah 6:16

May I never forget the bits of provision through a steaming cup of coffee which warms my hands on a freezing winter morning. Or the day He saved my life when I nearly died at the hospital minutes after I was born.

If we were willing to be truly honest, we could fill pages upon pages of notebooks on God’s goodness alone. It was always Him. Never us.

If we’d only stop being so prideful and unwilling to give Him the pen. If we’d only allow Him the tools to do something magnificent in our lives. Can you imagine what a beautiful testimony that would be? That’s the kind of woman I want to be. That’s the kind of woman I’m striving to be.

To God be the Glory. Great things He has done.