I have just finished weeping my tired eyes out before the LORD over our finances. My husband's check just came in and my job is to wisely spend it. We are at the tail end of the year. The property taxes, home owner's insurance and car insurance are all due. So are the light bill, the water bill, and school tuition. Groceries and gas must be included, as well. Our God, Jesus Christ, is The God of Miracles. Our trembling before our problems He calls "faithless". See here what I mean:
"When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, a huge crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or the water. So, I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't heal him."
Jesus replied, "You stubborn, faithless people! How long must I be with you until you believe? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me." Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment on the boy was well.
Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, "Why couldn't we cast out that demon?"
"You didn't have enough faith," Jesus told them, "I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." Matthew 17:14-21 NLT
This was not only MY reading this morning, but my husband's, as well. We found this out after our Bible studies this morning over a quick goodbye prayer. God has us on the same page.
There is no money to slather thinly in all the areas I mentioned above. And the part that brought me to tears is this: The Christmas Expectation.
I mentioned to a friend of mine that I was not planning on putting up the tree until someone in my family finally mentions it. Deep inside I am hoping that all the holiday cheer out there will be enough for them in here. No. Last night the youngest Morris asked, "When can we put up the Christmas tree?". I asked in return, "Why do we need a tree at home, when we can enjoy so many different beautiful ones everywhere else?" The answer: "Because WE NEED PRESENTS UNDER OUR tree."
And THIS is what broke me this morning. The presents. What presents? Where will these presents come from? How can I make that slather any thinner? And moreover, WHAT do any of my people NEED in addition to ALL that we ALREADY HAVE???
I felt like that was a heavenly question as I blubbered on my knees. And then it came to me; a Christmas Inventory. So, I wiped up and sat down here at the computer and typed out the list. I made four copies; one for each member of my household.
And once these are all filled out in quiet honesty by each one of us, I will gather them up and see what else is truly NEEDED under this wonderful roof my Miraculous LORD has supplied. And a more marvelous thought came to me (from Him, I'm sure). After the tree is put up, I am going to request that we display some of our favorite things under the tree as a sweet reminder of what we ALREADY HAVE. How's that for a Christmas Inventory?
Name:__________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
How many pieces of clothing do you have? ________________________
How many pairs of shoes do you have? ________________________
How many books (not Bibles) do you have? ________________________
How many DVDs do you have? _________________________
How many computers are in your home? _________________________
How many CDs do you have? _________________________
Please name the number of times you have gone
hungry and without being able to eat this year: __________________________
How many vehicles do you have? ___________________________
Please name the number of times you have gone
without shelter this year? ___________________________
How many toys do you have? ___________________________
How many Bibles do you have? ___________________________
How many times have you gone to the movies this year? ___________________________
How many times have you eaten out this year? ___________________________
Please name the number of eyes you have that work: ___________________________
Please name the number of ears you have that work: ____________________________
Please name the number of arms and legs you have that work: ___________________________
Please write the number of times you eat and drink daily: ____________________________
Please guess how many steps you take each day without effort: ___________________________
How many days this year have you gone without a shower or bath
because of lack of water supply? ___________________________
How many times have you thanked God this year? ____________________________
What do you NEED that you do not have
right now? _______________________________________________________________________
Jesus said, "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith (Jennifer)! And don't worry about food - what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, (just go to the mall and watch them) but (Jennifer) your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
So, don't be afraid, little flock (Morris Household). For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." Luke 12:27-32 NLT
I love living on the edge, by the way. I love knowing God is my supplier and not numbers on a perforated piece of paper. I love going to my piddly little part time job, donning my hair net and knowing that God has me right where He wants me...not for the money, but for His purpose. He has asked me to go there and pray. And it is my joy to have the privilege to do it.
Forgive me, dear Savior, for my faithlessness and forgetfulness for all the provision You have faithfully supplied my entire life. Thank You for the Christmas Inventory. May we rejoice in Your kindness and spend our days looking up in remembrance with a smile on our faces. Thank You for coming and dwelling among us and for agreeing to submit Yourself for The Sacrifice. Your Holy Blood makes a way for me and mine...and any one who will believe. I love YOU! Amen.
