When I was a kid, I got a purse for Christmas. It was cute. Leather-ish, I think. And I was so disappointed when I opened the box it was in, because the box was for a remote control car.
I thought I was getting a remote control car, which was ten freaking times better than a purse. I didn’t do purses. I still don’t. I’m not a purse person (does that need to be hyphenated? Purse-person?).
The gift-giver meant well. I’m sure she had just run out of boxes to put it in, and I recovered pretty quickly. I didn’t want to be ungrateful, but I sort of felt like she’d pulled a switcheroo. Like I’d been promised a gift I would love only to have it supplanted with something I didn’t really want or need.
Anyone else ever look at God’s promise of provision like that?
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.
Philippians 4:19
Honest talk here, y’all. Waiting for God to provide is hard and frustrating and sometimes disappointing. (Hey, I said I would be honest.) I feel like He tells us He’ll provide and then He does what He wants.
Me: God, I need money to pay my bills.
God: Of course. Here’s a cow.
Me: But—I don’t need a cow.
God: I have provided.
Sorry. I’m waiting for lightning to strike me even as I’m writing this.
There’s no easy answer for this. I’ve had to learn over many years what God’s provision actually looks like. It’s true, sometimes He provides exactly what you ask for, but in my experience, those cases are rare. Most of the time, He gives me what I need, which is usually less about my physical comfort and more about my spiritual maturity.
Like that gift I got when I was a kid. It may not have been a gift I wanted, but I learned what gratitude actually felt like. To be thankful for something I’d been given even if I didn’t want it. That’s a valuable lesson, no matter what age you are.
God does provide. He does answer prayers. His resources are limitless, but His wisdom and compassion is greater still. He knows what we need. And if He doesn’t give us what we want, He’s trying to teach us something.
Whether it’s food and clothing (Matthew 6:25-33) or direction for where to go in life (Proverbs 3:5-6), God has promised to provide for you.
So the next time you ask Him for something specific and He gives you something you didn’t want, ask yourself why you wanted it. You might learn something about yourself, and you’ll definitely discover something about God.
Questions for Reflection:
When was the last time you intentionally thanked God for what He has given you? Even if it’s something you didn’t want?
Have you told God about your frustrations? Why or why not?
Make a list of what you need (what you actually need). Pray over your list and ask God to help you. See what happens.
Week 50 Memory Verse:
My most recent health issues have caused me to be in closer communication with my Father!
Ever since the COVID-19 landed in our country, I have been thanking God for his many blessings including enough money to have good insurance, for a big home to wander around in with lots of separate living areas in case we need a break from each other (Ha!), for sending me to a great doctor, for a surgical procedure, for my three wonderful and brilliant, and godly kids and my sweet Mom who will be 92 years young next month, for my faithful and kind spouse of 52 years, (almost 53!), for my church, my friends, my Pastor, and for the prayer connection I have with my Father and my Savior! God is good! All the time! Amen!
Weighty truth, and great questions for reflection.