Getting what we need, not what we want

There isn’t anyone who can always know your needs. With my husband out the door, kids off to school, and me off to an early appointment, I started the day at a quick pace and stuffed my needs. When I could check off box number one, I jumped in the car and was greeted by a loud rumble. My stomach. Had forgotten to eat anything again; it just got lost in the morning. How peaceful is that?

I quickly evaluated my options and decided to swing by McDonald’s on the way to meeting #2.  I would resist the hashbrowns and go for the oatmeal. When the drive through voice asked for my order, I took the first one I saw, “Oatmeal with Maple.” She blurted out my total, and I pulled up in line, pulling out my eyeliner to finishing getting ready for the day that was leaving me behind. Who was this woman in the driver’s seat of my car? I regretted choosing “with Maple,” knowing I would probably find a blob of 300 sticky calories on top of my used-to-be healthy fibermeal.

I had to change course. With bag in hand, I pulled in to a parking spot and turned on some Hillsong Christmas music. I needed to re-direct my thoughts to the Prince of Peace and His presence with me, letting Him direct my day. I unbuckled my seat belt and decided to sit there by the bank and let His peace wash over me and my oatmeal.

Opening the bag, I peeled bag the lid to discover, not a blob of sticky maple, but a handful of chopped apples, some dried cranberries, and a few nuts. It seems that the Lord had taken back the day and given me what I needed, not what I managed to ask for. There IS someone who always knows what I need, and He wants to give me what I need, not just what I want.

And that’s so much better for me.

““When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (NLT – Matthew 6:7-8).

Does it make you feel better knowing there’s someone today who knows what you need and will supply it?

• pull over
• get quiet
• admit your weakness
• let Him fill your day’s dish