Two weeks later, we stopped at an estate sale. My husband and I used to do this a lot before we had so many mouths to feed and bills to pay. It was unusual for us to even contemplate pausing amidst our busy life to stop and spend money on things we didn't "need".
This particular day, my husband went in and I sat in the car with the kids. He came out a short time later, saying we all should go in. While in the home, we wandered together into each room, looking at antiques and old linens, the remnants of a life. The last room we entered was a screened in porch and there it sat. The couch of my dreams, almost untouched, with a matching chair. I was so blown away that I hesitated and sat down, catching my breath.
I knew our finances and I knew my God. After speaking with my husband, he encouraged me to offer a price I thought we could afford for the two pieces of furniture. The man in charge contemplated this while tending to another customer. I stood and waited, calculating what would be left in our account.
Needless to say, he accepted my lower than average bid and we were the proud owners of the couch and chair! It has sat for several years in our living room. And with climbing boys and wear and tear, it slowly has faded and has a few rips in various places.
As I sit now in the chair, staring at a tangible remnant of God's provision, not for my needs but for my wants, I realize how He always provides. Always! Many times it is not how or what we would expect (usually better!).
I've prayed for clothes for my boys or jeans for me. Such frivolities, you say? Well, when you are down to one pair of jeans...yes, it is still a want...not quite a need, but God listens to the cries of our hearts.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:25-34
I encourage you to seek God first, pray, and connect with the One who loves you above anyone else in your life.
He will provide for you in times of want, need, sickness, heartache, or distress....above and beyond.
"Have faith, My child."
He is calling you back to Him.