More Insight

Insight

(Dragonfly Ministries President, Mary Hamrick)

God's Provision

Quiet times of reflection seem few and far between. These days, quiet times seem to be surrounded by music.  This insight finds me sitting in the restaurant of the House of Blues in downtown Chicago.  Our sons are attending a Christian music concert and I haven’t quite worked up the stamina to step into the hardcore metal arena of Christian screamers yet, so I sit with my salad and listen to the blues, “A Rainy Night in Georgia” plays, and I am taken to reflection of how God is faithful in providing all of our needs.  For me, this is a place of reprise while the boys listen to their music and it seems God has again surrounded me with songs of deliverance, in deliverance from hardcore to blues.  Indeed, He considers all of my needs and makes provision.

This month finds me joyful, thankful and again, in awe of God’s provision – for friends, for community, for a church family, and for His guidance.   Recently, I heard myself say, “Lord, you’ve really outdone yourself.”  I imagined it would take months before I would be willing or able to even come close to confessing that to God.  When I heard these words come from my mouth, I paused, repeated what I had just heard, and then I laughed out loud.  Indeed, the Lord HAD exceeded all of my expectations, and in a short while.  He had outdone Himself.

In Maryland, I met some of my closest friends through a Moms-In-Touch prayer group.  Since relocating, I had missed the companionship of my praying friends, so I inquired about a group that met in our area.  I was pleased to learn that there was a group that met in our new neighborhood.  As we searched for churches, I sensed that one of the women at the Moms-In-Touch prayer meeting would be able to direct us to a church where our boys would immediately feel connected with the youth group.

After our first Moms-In-Touch meeting, two of the moms invited me to join their Community Bible Study.  Another of the women invited us to attend her church.  It was not the same denomination that we were familiar with, but it offered a youth group with students from our school district; after visiting the church, we knew we had found our new home.  This Moms-In-Touch group of four women was able to meet several of our needs; a structured Bible study, a church home, and Christian teenagers who live in our neighborhood. 

After spending a week outside my comfort zone through attending a MIT meeting, a Community Bible Study, and a new church, I lifted my voice to the Lord and said, “Lord, you’ve really outdone yourself.” 

I am beginning to understand that the Christian life is lived more and more outside of the comfort zone of familiarity; for as we conquer one fear, the Lord brings another opportunity along that, once again, pushes us outside of that zone into trusting Him to prepare the way.

In Matthew 6:28-34, Jesus teaches, “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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 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.” 

I wonder . . .  why are we surprised when God makes provision?  He promises in His word that He is the great provider.  Jehovah Jireh – the Lord will provide.  Are you trusting God to make provision for your needs?  Do you believe His promises?  “Seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and God will take care of your needs.”

Mary H.