Caring for the House: PROVISION

My mind has been more keenly aware recently of God's PROVISION. Many times as I bow my head to pray, my heart is filled with gratitude for his PROVISION. He provides all I need in so many ways. He is teaching me to simply say "thank you" and receive things from his hands; my food, finances, material things, safety, friendships...everything.

The journey with the house renovation has also put me in a place where I must look for His PROVISION every day. The project has been much larger than we ever expected and I want to go on record saying that He has provided all our needs along the way. In this final week before we hope to live in the house, there are so very many details that have to be coordinated. It is actually quite overwhelming when we make daily task lists and when we walk throughout the house assessing jobs that still need to be completed.

Today, I was reminded of Moses and the people of Israel as they were standing between the threat of Pharaoh's army and the Great Sea. They were caught...wrestling with thoughts of why they ever left the comforts of Egypt in the first place, fighting fears of being killed by the enemy or drowned in the sea. They were powerless. But the Lord spoke..."Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:13-14)

An email from a friend brought similar encouragement this morning... "Relax and let me lead you through this day. I have everything under control; My control. You tend to peer anxiously into the day that is before you, trying to figure out what to do and when. Meanwhile, the phone or the doorbell rings, and you have to reshuffle your plans. All the planning ties you up in knots and distracts you from Me. Attentiveness to Me is not only for your quiet time, but for all your time. As you look to Me, I show you what to do now and next. Vast qualities of time and energy are wasted in obsessive planning. When you let Me direct your steps, you are set free to enjoy Me and to find what I have prepared for you this day."

We are trusting God to provide for us as we face the unknown...we need to move out of our current house by noon on Friday. An inspector has to give us a "certificate of occupancy" before we can move into the newly renovated house in Lancaster. To date, our general contractor feels encouraged and hopeful that work on the house is progressing in such a way that we will be able to move into the house this weekend.

I am thankful for God's PROVISION of grace today; grace to face whatever situation comes my way. God is faithful. He will make PROVISION. I need only to stand firm and still because He will fight for me.

Here's a peek at where things are in the renovations...