All That and Toilet Paper?

Today's guest devotion is by Diann Hunt, from: Delight Yourself in the Lord…Even on Bad Hair Days © 2011 Summerside Press

All That and Toilet Paper?

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.  Mark 6:51-52

Like many newlyweds, when we were first married, we struggled financially. Six months into wedded bliss, we found ourselves needing groceries. Being young and full of faith, we decided we would tell no one…but God.

            

Several days into this, as our stomachs growled and the food cabinet grew bare, I got a call from a friend wanting to know if I would go shopping with her. The last thing I wanted to do was go shopping. We barely had enough to put a meal together; shoes were the last thing on my mind. Yet, not wanting to spoil her enthusiasm and not wanting to let on that there was a problem, I quickly agreed.

            

Once I hung up the phone, I asked God for strength and grace to go shopping with my friend, and for help to keep our need from her. We wanted to rely totally upon God for this need.

            

So I got dressed and ready to go. My spirits perked as I thought about spending some time with my friend and enjoying our day.

            

When she showed up at the front door, she had a paper sack filled with groceries in her hands. I opened the door and she walked inside, heading straight for my table. She plunked the groceries on the table and turned to me. “I know this seems crazy, but during my quiet time this morning, the Lord told me you needed this.” Then she marched back to her car and brought in several more bags of groceries—right down to paper towels and toilet paper!

            

God had thought of everything.

            

I’ll never forget that day. We hadn’t told a soul of our need. We were careful to not let on to anyone that we had a need. I don’t know if we were putting God to the test or just plain trusting, but He came through for us. The thing that I hadn’t expected was how surprised we were. We say we trust Him, so why is it when He comes through for us we are surprised?

            

God met our need that day—and every day since then.

            

Do you have a need? Have you given it over to Him? God uses His people to reach out to others. It doesn’t hurt to share your need—unless He tells you to do otherwise. But no matter how you handle it, He is there for you. Trust Him. He’s a BIG God.              

Today’s Prayer:  Father, thank You that You are so much bigger than any need we have. Thank You for understanding our fears and for the strength You provide in times of challenge. Help us also to be an extension of Your hands to others in need.    

Diann Hunt admits to seeing the world from a slightly different angle than most, and she will do just about anything (within reason) for chocolate. Since 2001, Diann has 20+ books, including Love Letters in the Sand. Diann has won the American Christian Fiction Writer's prestigious Book of the Year award in her genre. Diann and her real-life hero-husband make their home in Indiana. Visit her website at www.DiannHunt.com

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What are We Missing?

Marcia Lee Laycock is the winner of the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award, for her novel One Smooth Stone. Visit her at www.vinemarc.com

There is a story in the Bible that has always somewhat intrigued me – the story of the “most excellent Felix.” (Acts 24:3) He was the governor who tried the apostle Paul, the governor who kept Paul under house arrest for over two years, because “he was hoping Paul would offer him a bribe.” (Acts 24:26). Felix kept sending for the apostle, talking with him many times over the course of those two years, waiting for the bribe.

That makes me chuckle just a little. Felix was waiting for a bribe but getting something much more valuable – the wisdom of one of the best minds in the country and no doubt much to think about in terms of his spiritual condition. We don’t know how those talks affected the governor. We only know when he left his office he left the apostle in prison.

It would appear that Felix was so focused on what he wanted he missed what he really needed.

I think we are all a little like that. We want many things – financial security, promotions at work, a big house and a good neighborhood to live in, a new car every other year, a big screen TV to watch all our favourite shows, good health and fitness.

But what are we missing?

Are we so focused on financial security that we work too many hours to the neglect of our families? Are we so driven to get that promotion that we miss having a genuine and caring relationship with fellow workers? Are we so proud of the house and car that we alienate our neighbors? Are we so addicted to the TV that we never have a meaningful conversation with our spouses and children? Are we so obsessed with the fitness of our physical bodies that we neglect our spiritual souls?

As writers, are we too focused on how to market our books, too drawn to the thought of selling millions and the big purse that would mean? Do we dream too much about that huge platform we’re developing? Perhaps we’ve forgotten to be thankful for what God is doing in us and through us as we write. Perhaps we’re too quick to brush aside that single reader who was given the courage to make one small step closer to God.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves, “As a writer, what do I need?”

I can think of a few things to put on that list. I need patience to wait for God’s timing. I need trust to know that God is in control; humility to leave it all in His hands, no matter what the outcome. I need to value the people I meet as I ‘market,’ and seek to meet their needs. I need grace to see my readers as potentially part of God’s family. I need passion for God and His word. Most of all, I need to draw closer to the Lord as I move through the whole process.

Jesus has told us what we need, told us to be careful to seek it. He said – “But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well…”

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