Flying Birds and Wafers

Can you imagine if God said He was going to supply your nourishment needs by sending flying birds in such abundance every morning that you'd be able to reach out and grab them? And that He'd send wafer like crackers to fall on the ground every morning so that you had enough for food for the day? You might have a hard time believing Him. But that's exactly what He did for the Israelites. He provided for them daily...every single time they needed food or water, He made a way. He used Moses' rod as an instrument to turn bitter waters to sweet and rocks to dessert streams. What an amazing God!

And you'd think after He'd done all that the Israelites would have been in awe...that they'd be overflowing with praise and worship of their God. That they'd be convinced that He was the real deal. Faithful. Loving. Present. Provider. And yet, time after time after time, guess what they did? Yep, they complained.

Complained that Egypt was better. That God has brought them out of enslavement to leave them in the dessert and die. They complained that the food was better, the water was cleaner, pharaoh was a better leader and that the pasture was greener in Egypt. And don't you know Moses and God were tired of hearing it!

I wonder if God ever tires of hearing His children whine and complain. Our houses aren't big enough, our bodies are not pretty enough, our children are not good enough, our bank accounts are not large enough, our cars are not nice enough and the list could go on and on. And yet every single day He provides figurative quail and manna for us...He gives us everything we need.

Complaining goes hand in hand with discontentment. Two ugly sins that influence other areas of our lives. If I'm whiny...I'm giving others around me permission to whine. If I am discontent, nothing will ever truly satisfy...there will not be a house big enough, a car nice enough, a husband smart enough. Because I am looking at others as if they are the problem when really the problem is me. I am not satisfied with God's provision for me. I am not content with the quail and manna He has chosen and provided for me. When I complain, I'm telling God I don't think that He's orchestrated my life correctly...maybe I don't think He knows what He's doing.

But His Word tells me differently. He has provided for my every need. He knows my steps. He desires good things for my life. He has made a way. Every good and perfect gift is from Him. He places value, not in things, but in people. He is sovereign. He knows what He's doing. All I need to do is trust. He's got this. Today, tomorrow and forever.

Day #3 Beautiful Simplicity

sim·plic·i·ty

 noun \sim-ˈpli-sə-tē, -ˈplis-tē\

: the quality of being easy to understand or use

: the state or quality of being plain or not fancy or complicated

: something that is simple or ordinary but enjoyable

There's something about the beauty of simplicity. The understated loveliness of something that just is. In a world full of itself...of obtaining and accomplishing and striving, it is a refreshing change of pace to enjoy the simple things. There is value to the rare, one of a kind, singular or unique possession. Whether it's a piece of jewelry, a flower, a well worn antique, a favorite scarf, a Bible verse or a schedule that isn't packed to the brim with engagements. Simple is sacred. My soul craves for the yesteryear's of "just enough, primitive, and bare essentials" while living in a world of non-stop, me-first, not enough. Simplicity makes way for the important, the irreplaceables. Family, friends, love, time, Jesus..and everything about Him. 

So as I make my own way in this hectic fast paced world, I have the responsibility to make room for the things that really matter. The scheduling is up to me, the stuff is up to me, the way we live....largely up to choices Bruce and I make. It's nice to enjoy the modern conveniences and luxuries that 2013 afford us, but as the values and morals of God's Word seem to be slipping away, those simple things that He lovingly instructed us to observe; kindness, sabbath rest, love, compassion, a word to the lost...those are the things I need more now that ever. I need to remember....

Simple is beautiful.

Possessions aren't bad. Schedules aren't bad. Stuff isn't bad. Unless we let it run our lives so that moments of simplicity are no where to be found. Simplicity calls for a lifestyle devoted to the most importants. The things that really matter getting the attention they deserve and then all the static voice in the background, well, it finds a place...but not THE place. Not The place reserved for the sacred and the beautiful and the simple.

Seem unrealistic? We're not talking about throwing your microwave out the window or going back to making everything from scratch..(unless you're in a foreign land and that's what your norm is). We're talking about an attitude and an effort made so that stuff and schedules and cash don't take the place of God's Word and your kids and your spouse..the big stuff. It's about breathing in the simple beauty around you...Taking time to smell the proverbial roses...and maybe the real live ones too!

What's that look like, you ask. It's different for everyone. It might look like soccer games and ice cream sundaes for one family and naptime and movies for another. It's only your job to figure out what works for your family. He's got a plan for you...one graced with simplicity and beauty.

Matthew 6:33- Seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness...and all the other things will be added to you.