God Provides

It has been one of those weeks here.

Erik's car ran into some trouble last Saturday, so he had to take it in to get looked at. 5 days later, we are still one one car. Which of course he needs to drive to work every day. 

So the kids and I have just been at home, doing our thing, with weather that hasn't really been warm enough for us to do much outside.

During this time we were kind of stressed/nervous about what kind of expensive repairs the car might need.

Erik's also had a busy week, with guitar lessons, meetings, and extra work he's been trying to get done.

And 3 of us have colds. The kids are coughing and stuffy, and I am stuffy and just run down.

Last night Erik had to take care of some errands after school, and then had to leave shortly after 6 to go back for a parent meeting in the evening. I was supposed to be at choir practice but wasn't able to go. It was one of those days where we were both stressed and exhausted and just didn't have time to be nice to each other.

And it was just one of those days when I felt like everything was crazy, we both couldn't believe it was only Wednesday, and so on, and so forth.

Later I felt the need to just sit down and STOP. To close my eyes and pray. To listen to what God had to say to me.

As soon as I did that, all kinds of thanks came pouring out of my mouth.

As it turns out, we owe a fairly small amount to fix the car.
Thank you, God, for giving us help with the cost.

Even if we HAD needed to pay the full $1500+ to fix it, we wouldn't have gone bankrupt in doing it.
Thank you, God, that we have a pretty reliable income.

It was a long day without much time at all to spend with my husband.
Thank you, God, for the lessons and projects that allow Erik to bring home a little extra money.

The day was busy and noisy.
Thank you, God, for the opportunity to babysit and allow my kids to have a playdate while getting extra money to save toward a family vacation.

We are almost out of eggs and we need them and no one has time to get to the store.
Thank you, God, for a friend that called and offered to pick up some things for me.

We are over our grocery budget for the month. There are 10 more days to go and we are almost out of toilet paper, coffee, and other essentials.
Thank you, God, that we have extra in the budget each month to meet our needs. That even if we are  over budget, things are not so tight that we have to put back things in our grocery cart.

There are always dishes to be done and counters to clean up.
Thank you, God, for my dishwasher. My kitchen. The comforts of being able to make healthy meals at home.

We are feeling a little sick.
Thank you, God, that we are only dealing with colds. Thank you that we can afford to buy medicine. Thank you that we have excellent and affordable medical coverage when we need it.

We are stuck at home.
Thank you, God, that I have so much quality time available to spend with my children. Thank you for the break from running around doing errands and other things that are not fun anyway.

I wanted some rest and alone time.
Thank you, God, that my kids still want to play with me and love being in my company.

God just kept telling me over and over, "Don't you see? I have provided for you. Everything around you is a gift from me. Everything in your life comes from me. I love you, my grace is sufficient for you, and I will provide everything you need. I have provided for you."

It's not often that I feel like I hear something from God. Probably because it's also not often that I give him the space to speak to me. But suddenly I was humbled, and overwhelmed, and reminded of how incredibly blessed we are. We have so, so much. Unbelievably much. More than we deserve. 

"But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."                                                                                                                              
                                                     --Philippians 4:19