I have all that I need...

Today's Scripture: 

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

 As I scrolled through postings on Facebook today, I came across one from a former student of mine which stopped me dead in my tracks.  She is a young wife and mother, and I believe she is just about twenty-one years old now with a toddler.  I was utterly amazed at the wisdom in her post.  It read, “I may not have everything I want, but I have everything I need…”  I just stood there and whispered, “She gets it, at twenty-one she gets it!”  Why didn’t I get it at her age?  I had to go through some major life issues like bankruptcy, miscarriage, etc. before I got it.  We, as a nation, are so blessed; even our poor have much in relation to the poverty and despair in some countries around the world.  Now don’t get me wrong; I know there are people hungry and homeless here in the USA, down on their luck for certain.  But, it is surely not anything in comparison with death to AIDS, malnutrition, unsanitary water, or disease seen in third world countries.   I feel like a broken record as I constantly remind my daughter, who has everything she could possibly want, she should be grateful for all she has been given.  I know it is easy to take things for granted; I have been guilty of it myself.  Today’s scripture was the one I memorized and clung to during my bankruptcy.  We lost our house, boat, car, business…but there was never a day that went by that I didn’t have a roof over my head, food to eat, and support from friends and family.  God will always meet our needs, they just may not always look as we would like for them to…clothes from Wal-Mart or even the Goodwill cover your behind just the same as Abercrombie. 

 I worry we are raising a generation of spoiled rotten kids who expect far more than is necessary.  I always loved the Veggie Tales with Madame Blueberry who was always shopping at the “Stuff-mart”.  We fill our homes and closets with just that… STUFF!!! Is most of it necessary, NO WAY!!! There is no better feeling than to purge your home of “stuff” and give it to a charity, your church, or someone who you know needs and would appreciate it.  Luke 12:24 says, “Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!”  God provides for us in ways we may not expect, but as sure as the sun will rise in the morning…He will.  Trust me, I am a living testimony…it may come in the form of a gift card to the grocery store, a folded up twenty dollar bill someone presses into your hand, Christmas gifts for your children from friends who labeled them from you, or a new profession with success you never thought possible…but He will meet your needs…He will.