Provision

the act or process of supplying or providing something; something that is done in advance to prepare for something else. the act or process of providing, the fact or state of being prepared,


as many of you know this year God is teaching us to get comfortable being uncomfortable...man has it been a ride, so many changes, challenges that seem to come out of left field trying to balance it while still trying to continually lay down these, mountains of anxiety, worry, doubt, at his feet and leave them there for longer than a millisecond...because that's the best place for them. He can do more with it there than I could ever imagine.


I have this tendency to stock up, to supply things for myself that when things get crazy I can "provide" whatever it is that I need, which gives me no incentive to lean on or call on my savior. While he wants us to be independent in some aspects, God wants us to be fully dependent on him, for all things. ALL things?! I'm not good at that. I like control, I like plans.


I used to be able to roll with things...we would go on an adventure with a bag of clothes and no reservation to stop and find a place once we got there, not any more this mama has to have a plan, a detailed one at that. I like to be overly prepared to know, what's coming next, where we will be in the next week, I like to know how its going to work out, who is going to be there, when they will get there, that to me is comfortable.


I have two boys who live life wide open, there isn't much in our lives planned out...life right now is just free, unplanned, space for them to be boys growing into little men. That's about to change, our oldest is entering kindergarten 30 days from today...I'm not ready at all its hard to believe he isn't a baby any more let alone big enough to be going to kindergarten.


Anyhow...


Since becoming a mom that free spirit, has been more weighed down, I'm glad to hear people still see me as someone who just rolls with things, because I really strive too. It takes a whole lot of Jesus, but he gets it done in big ways.


So over the past few weeks this word provision has been bouncing in my head, so I've prayed for that, for how God will provide, needs, whether its spiritual, emotional, physical that he will be our provision, nothing else. That we will look to him to fulfill us, that's all he wants.


I was blown away by how much faith our friends in India have for God to provide everything they need, the more time I spend with God I realize that the more I lean in and strive to abide in Jesus, the easier it is to trust that he will be our provision in everything. That he will not only hear us but he will answer us in the best way possible, and he will provide for us abundantly.


God has such big plans for us, all of us, He is calling us deeper, to be filled, to be overwhelmed by him and when life feels too big and we feel like we are drowning in it all to fall to our knees or to our faces and lay it all down, He wants us to let him know that we trust his provision, his help, him alone.


What a year...its only July. I'm humbled to know that God is working on this heart, in our family making us to be more like him, calling us to go deeper and seek after him diligently...its not perfect, its messy, beautiful chaos, praying he continues to guide us, lead us, draw us deeper and closer.


Psalm 144: 13-15
Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed is the people whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.




Psalm 132: 13-16
For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, "This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.


I leave you with this prayer! For all of us...because God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine. Keep seeking him.


Ephesians 3:14 - 21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.

Hungry

I had the opportunity to open our home to a group of beautiful women, of all ages. it is such a treat to circle around my living room with these ladies and just talk about Jesus. Each one of these ladies had Jesus woven all through their stories, each one brought something special and unique to this group. Each person God had called to come, for a special time of fellowship, and studying of God's word.




I weighed the decision to host for several days when it was brought up again that they needed more women to host in my neighborhood. I knew what I needed to do. In one way or another each one of these ladies brought up how excited they were to have a bible study in their neighborhood. Each woman came with a desire and willingness to draw near to God and seek him, it has been such a humbling experience to hear these women pour out their hearts, their deepest desires to simply trust God more, have more faith and to leave those everyday burdens in his ever capable hands.


One thing that has stood out to me is the hunger for a deeper connection with God, as well as fellowship with one another, because no one quite understands you as well as your girl friends. It is a sweet time, where we can lay it all out, and uplift one another. God has called us as Christians to do things that aren't popular, that can cost us a lot but he promises, peace, rest, hope, and love. The beautiful thing is equips us, after he calls us. He guides us, teaches us, carries us along as we seek after him.


Last night my husband and I were talking about the power that is in the midst of praying women. At the very least its beautiful to see women just seeking God, in bible study and prayer. 11 of us circled in my living room last night, we talked about life, children, struggles, the bible, controversy, and we laughed.


I've said it a couple times how humbled I am that God would use me, I'm humbled and honored that he called me to open our home for these ladies to meet. My heart is so full, I find that its easier on this side to let go and let God. There is nothing like fellowshipping with other believers in all different stages.


It is hard to believe looking back over the last few years to see how far I've come, how much God has changed and continues to change. To say its been difficult is an understatement but its been more than worth it a million times over.


We are so hungry for Jesus, for authenticity and connection. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice, for you calling us to something greater than we can fathom, Thank you for not allowing us to get comfy where we are, thank you for drawing us out and together, help us seek you and grow, help us encourage one another as we each strive to dwell in your throne room.


Love you friends! find a place to connect, to draw together, to just dwell with Jesus and other believers. It is life giving and crucial.


Until we meet again...blessings and prayers!!