His parents live in Florida and we're going to visit them this week. They sent us a list of things they need and can't get, including the ridiculously hard-to-find toilet paper. Felt like we were on a scavenger hunt yesterday trying to get everything on the list.
Eight stores and four hours later, we had all but a few things bought - found a few items here, a few items there. But alas, no TP.
This morning we're hitting Costco when they open. We reviewed our strategy before even getting out of bed. Two carts, two shoppers, two packages of TP (one for them and one for us). We need to get there early, yes, so we can be one of the first in line. Wait, where is the TP in this store? Should we rush to the left or to the right?
WHOA!
What just happened here? Rushing after TP? Rushing after ANYTHING that our God can and will provide, if only we ask?
It's so easy to get caught up in the panic (aka fear), especially during this time when so many people are sick, out of work, missing senior year of high school, and low on food. As Don and I talked today, we could feel our adrenaline racing like we were about to enter a competition.
That is not how God wants any of us to live. That's not how we show His peace to a world desperately in need of hope. That's not how we display confidence that our God will provide.
Most importantly, that's not who we ARE as His children, His heirs, His beloved. He gave us His peace, not as the world gives but above and beyond anything that comes from our circumstances.
Our God parted the Red Sea, turned water into wine, fed over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. He gave a young virgin girl a baby - His Son - who died a violent death for our sins...and then He raised that Son from the dead. Our God sent us the Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us into all truth.
This same God can provide all the toilet paper we need, to be sure!
Let's all go out into this day thankful for our God and His provision, looking for Him to provide in unexpected ways, and looking for ways to be His provision to others in need.
Fear, be gone, you will not have us this day!
In Jesus' Mighty Name, AMEN!
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative,
God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out.
You’ll find all your everyday human concerns
will be met.
(Matthew 6:33, The Message)
Rejoice in the Lord always
[delight, take pleasure in Him];
again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience]
be known to all people. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious or worried about anything,
but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
continue to make your [specific] requests
known to God.
And the peace of God
[that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding,
[that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
(Philippians 4:4-7, Amplified)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear,
but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm,
well-balanced mind and self-control]
(2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified)
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