Thankful for the Lord's provision - Part III

Today, I want to praise God for his provision in three specific ways.

First, a sweet Sunday School class at our church gave us a very generous gift Sunday evening. It was generous in two specific ways. The sweet words inside were so encouraging - to know someone cares and is praying for you - it makes a world of difference. Plus there was an unexpected gift which we were able to use to cover groceries that evening.

Second, Mrs. F who works at my school's pre-school stopped by to ask if I could use any hand-me-down maternity clothes. The answer of course is yes (see picture below).

(Today Baby Lackey is 13 weeks -

I guess the OB nurse wasn't kidding when she said Baby had no where to go but out)

Meanwhile, back to my point...

To my surprise she walked in a few minutes later with a huge plastic box full of maternity clothes.

So sweet and generous. Plus I'm thankful for Mrs. G's son who both carried the box into the car and onto the front porch for me this afternoon.

Third, after the crazy emotional first two days of this work week, I am so thankful that it pleased the Lord for today to be low-stress and tear-free :) This morning as I was reading Scripture and praying, I kept thinking about the encounter Jesus had with the father of a boy whom he healed of an unclean spirit. (read about it here.) I love, love, love that Jesus doesn't simply heal the boy and bid goodbye but spends time with the father.

In their conversation, the father confesses to Jesus, "I believe. Help my unbelief!" As a younger believer I didn't understand this. How could you believe and not believe at the same time? That can't be right - you either do or you don't. However, as I have matured in my faith and the Lord has grown me I think that statement sums up most days of my walk with him. I believe. I want to believe. I want to believe more. However I am still plagued with doubts, fear, and worry. It's a lived-out reality of what Paul says in Romans 7 "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out." Thankfully - we don't have to be the ones to carry it out.

Timothy Keller writes:

The boy's father says, "I'm not faithful, I am riddled with doubts, and I cannot

muster the strength necessary to meet my moral and spiritual challenges. But

help me." That's saving faith - faith in Jesus instead of in oneself. Perfect

righteousness is impossible for us, and if you wait for that, you will never come

into the presence of God. You must admit that you are not righteous, and that

you need help. When you can say that, you are approaching God to worship.

So tonight I praise the Lord for specifically for this reassurance that I can't do this on my own and God doesn't want me to even try to do it alone - Jesus is able to take care of everything for me and in reality, he already has.