This is a repost from a few years ago but I learned so much through this that I wanted to share it again 🙂
I woke up this morning thinking about a time nearly 25 years ago when we were first married. Often we would get to the end of the week with just enough money after paying our rent and living expenses to afford 50c bulk packs of 2 minute noodles to eat for the last few days of the week before we were paid again. We were still learning about trusting God, speaking the promises of His word and expecting that He would provide and care for all our needs.
One evening after several months of eating alot of 2 minute noodles my husband Philip said, “God I’m kinda sick of 2 minute noodles, what I’d really like is a nice roast dinner!”
A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and we found the pastor’s wife of our church standing on our doorstep with two plates in her hands. “These are for you”, she said. It was two roast dinners, still hot and ready to eat. We thanked her and ate them, grateful that it was not noodles again. On finishing Philip laughingly commented, “Mmmm that was great and what would top it off would be a nice big bowl of dessert.” Sure enough a few minutes later there was another knock at the door and the pastor’s wife was again standing on our doorstep with two bowls full of apple crumble and custard (one of Philip’s favorite desserts), which she happily handed to us, plus a roast dinner for each of us for the next night’s dinner.
We later had it explained to us that there had been a board dinner at the church that night and there had been some people who could not attend. As we rented the house next door they had thought of us and brought the extra dinners over for us to enjoy.
I love this memory because I learnt some things that night that changed my thinking, view and expectations of God forever….
1. That He is a “roast dinner” kind of God; a God of more than enough, with not just our needs but extra blessings (like dessert) on His heart for us too…”Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
2. That He cares about us and that it is okay to ASK Him, actually He wants us to… He cares about every detail of our life and is looking for ways to bless and extend His love to us in ways we’ll understand -especially where we’ve asked. (John 16:23-24, Psalm 37:3-4)
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you”. (Psalm 86:5)
3. Be available to be used. You may never know the difference you can make in a person’s life by just acting upon the “God promptings” you get to give, make that call to encourage someone or simply by being the deliverer of some roast dinners!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Today I want to encourage you to expect more. You can’t ever ask too much of God, it’s just not possible! Seek Him for His absolute best for your life, trust His timing and the work He is doing in your life, and look for where you can be an instrument He uses to bless and encourage someone else.
Prayer: Lord thankyou that you are always looking for ways to pour out your love upon me and to reveal your kindness. It amazes me that you who holds the stars in place and knows them each by name also sees me, but I thank you today that you do. Please use me to be a blessing and encouragement to someone who needs it today. In Jesus name Amen
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