Our Daily Bread

Silly me. For months and months I could think of nothing to write and now, in the most full and busy season of our life, my brain is overflowing with stuff I want to share with you. I suppose that's because so much is going on.

The topic today, though, is not about how

capitol "K"

Ka-razy

things are getting as we head into the Two Weeks Before We Leave time period. Instead it is about something new that God lead me to, and the immediate fruit I have seen by following His lead. It really seems like such a small thing.

But it's been really really huge.

You see, a few weeks ago I was teaching the girls the Lord's prayer and helping them to memorize it. While focusing on the line "give us this day our daily bread," it occurred to me that I have not been faithful in praying this, in a heartfelt manner, to God. Oh sure, I have my prayer times and Bible reading times each day, but something I seem to have been forgetting is simply asking -and thanking Him for- my daily bread.

It's not like things have been so bad. It's just that, well, I've been stressed. I've been snappy with the kids, easily tired, easily frustrated... The list goes on and you know how it is because you've been there too.

Plus lately with our departure coming up SO fast, there is this slight panic at the back of my throat, constantly threatning to leap out and gobble me up.

So. This revolutionary idea came to me. I decided that every morning I would kneel before God and ask for my daily portion -and thank Him for it before hand because I know that He is faithful. And you know what? It works! It really and truly works people! My goodness! I kneel there at the back slider, still in my PJs, yesterday's mascara smeared under my eye lids, the bright morning sun spilling over my face (and occasionally a one year-old using my lap as a trampoline or a three year old using my ear as what I can only assume she thinks is a megaphone) and I pray and God listens and He actually gives me my daily bread!

I'm not saying it's like some magic button you push at the arcade and bing bing bing! win a prize.
And I'm also not saying that I suddenly handle everything with perfection.
I am, however saying that when a heartfelt child comes before the Lord with a request, trusting in His Word, His Promises, His Power...

Listen. God is faithful, he is a loving Father who wants to give us good things. Who does give us good things.

And when we ask, He gives us more.

More of Himself, more compassion, more patience, more gentleness, more Love. He gives us the grace to handle the things that come our way. If we will only ask, only trust. "Ask and it shall be given to you." (Matthew 7:7)

Guys, he wants this for us. It brings Him glory. His power is displayed in our lives for others to see and it is "made perfect in our weakness."

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

It also goes back to that awesome verse in Jeremiah 29 that I was talking about in my last post: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

It's amazing the fruit I have seen from this seemingly small act. I suddenly have peace, the grace to go about the day, treating my family as I would want to be treated, taking care of what needs to be done, and this immediately deeper connection with my Creator as well.

And again, I'm not saying I magically have become Perfect At All Things.

There are still Moments.

But I feel the Lord's hand in my life throughout my day, equiping me more when I purposefully surrender to Him by asking HIM for my daily bread instead of trying to, well, bake it myself. -Something I think I'd been trying to do a lot lately. I'm so glad God is patient with me, that he gently guides me back to where I need to be -focused more and more on Him.

I encourage you to try this too, see what new fruits God will bring about in your life when you ask and trust Him for your daily portion. I'll vouch that it is so worth it!