Saturday, August 09, 2014

Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Trusting God to provide

How can there not be a Creator... lovely.
This is the first day I am officially returning from my blog break.  I took pretty much a complete break from the computer during my birthday week with the family and last week I had some required posts and fun photos.

I also took a break from the news while away with family, at least as much as one can in today's world.   It can be quite overwhelming with all the stuff happening on the planet.  We hear of wars, rumors of wars, pestilence, earthquakes, genocide, hurricanes, economic woes, and so much more.  We feel totally out of control.

Of course, God is truly in control.  For those of us whose theology tends toward the soon return of the Lord, we see in His Word that He told us what the world would look like and we can rest assured in Him.  Even if at times we let concerns about the uncertainty of it all get to us.  We are human that way.

To me, that is when living a Pantry Lifestyle brings comfort.  When I have a full pantry then I know I can put food on the table.  By giving thought to what is purchased, there will be at least a few favorites among the beans and rice!  ;)

I get e-mails all the time from people who say they do not have the resources to stock up, they are just barely making it as it is.  Believe me, I feel your pain.  We pretty much live on miracles from God as our income is about what we need to cover expenses... except for food and gas!

We could stomp our feet.... and have... and whine before God... and we have.  We remind God that we did everything right from the world's standards in the way of education, we tithed, we gave offerings, we helped old ladies across the street.  Okay, we didn't do the latter but our works seemed to be in the right place.

Yet, we find ourselves at a stage in life when most of our friends have their houses paid for, take cruises, and have extra spending money... depending on God pretty much entirely for food on the table and much less in a pantry. 

It is not fair.  But then again, life is not fair.  My husband's illness and then my own (which together depleted our savings and our equity and all of the crutches we depended on financially)... it is not fair.

But instead of fretting about it all, I have learned to take it to prayer and watch as He answers.  I believe that He does provide... and He does.  Ask Him to deepen your pantry.  Make a list and have it ready and expect a miracle.  He may send unexpected cash your way to use for stocking up or He may provide a way for you to earn extra cash.

I've been reading through the Book of Acts and there are a few things that keep coming up.  I will ponder most in the Sunday posts from time to time but one that is essential here is that... they took care of each other and God took care of them.  This occurred when their world was falling apart.

So the very best pantry advice I can give anyone today is... Trust.  I'm doing the same thing here.  I know everyone has some area they need to Trust, even if it is not in the area of deepening the pantry.

I told my husband this morning... when as the Eeyore he tends to be he mentioned everything that needs repairing around the place... that I believe trusting God is the Jacob experience we all go through.  You know, when Jacob wrestled with the Angel all night and then came away with a limp the rest of his life.

We wrestle with God when we do not understand, when we find it hard to have faith... to believe.  I give my faith a place to land (so to speak) by praying and then making a grocery list, or praying and thinking of how the room needs a piece of furniture, or praying and asking God if He does not mind (because I truly do not need another teacup) but if there is a beauty cheap at Goodwill...

For you see, God knows you need food and water and shelter but He also knows you need a book or a teacup once in awhile.  He made you that way.  Never be afraid to ask. 

If it is something you need like food, He will answer although it may not be steak.  
If it is something frivolous like a teacup, he may answer with that or something better.  
If it is something He knows you do not need, well... you didn't need it.

A great deal of the joy in the journey is looking for the ways He is meeting every need.  Including deepening your pantry.  :)

14 comments:

Patsy said...

I don't know how people can live in this day and time with out trusting the true God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Unknown said...

What a great reminder of how perfect our God is! I had to smile at the last part about the book and the teacup. I love your posts. Thank you so much for your encouragements and reminders!

Anonymous said...

Oh how this hit home this morning :) I'm visiting our old stomping grounds in Michigan this week as well. Ferndale to be exact, just south of Nine Mile and Woodward. I was feeling down because I'd lost the sunglasses my son had bought me for my birthday. Beautiful glasses that he bought with money from his afterschool job. Just as I was packing I heard a "God whisper" call the Coney Island. I did and of course that's where they were! Yes, times are rough for us financially, the plumbing is shot and the roof needs replacing but at that moment I felt so loved by our Heavenly Father, he hears our softest whispers :) From now on these shall be called songlasses for more reasons than one. Donna

rebecca said...

♪ 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus ♪
...and I'm still learning!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

It is key to keep our eyes on Jesus, and to pray for everything. We are feeling a pinch in our budget.

This is such a good reminder to trust in Him and not a paycheck, etc.

Deanna

Vee said...

Now I am going to do that...make a list that is. I have been craving fruit and I realized that I had not had any for a month. A month! Good heavens. I'll be getting scurvy if I don't watch out. Thank you for sharing your story and your faith. You have lived it year in and year out and you're still here! You and Mr.Coffee =D have an incredible testimony.

Nadine said...

Wonderful post..thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

There have always been bad times-just ask any elderly person about the Depression and WW2. It is all about keeping Faith.





Barbara said...

What a beautiful post! I love your trust in our God and how you are teaching us the "how" of trusting in Him. You have a very pleasing blog.

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Your post blesses, lifts up, encourages and brings hope. And all from writing about deepening one's pantry. I love how you do that.

I want to bless you back, Brenda, and thank you for your trust and faithfulness, which from all accounts have been hard won -- all the more reason for readers to sit down and really read the words you offer in love.



Scrappy quilter said...

Great post. Learning to trust through the hard times is even harder if we haven't learnt to trust him through the good times. Sometimes so hard to do when we have a steady check coming in and yet so important to do all the time.

Deborah Montgomery said...

Brenda, I am so thankful to have food in my pantry, but I have a couple other "impossible" situations that require continual trusting. Thank you for your example of faithfulness.

Jennifer Williams said...

Brenda, you are such an encouragement. I treasure your wise words. Thanks for writing. It is a true ministry. :-)

Living on Less Money said...

I feel like we are on a similar path. I could relate to so much that you wrote! Beautiful post!