Giving Father: How God Provides For More Than Our Needs
Do you like to spoil your kids? Most parents do. We have an innate desire to see our kids smile. It makes us feel good when we are the ones making them happy. If we desire to spoil our kids, how much more do you think God wants to share for us, to make us happy? We all know God provides for our needs, but he also provides what we don’t need. Things we want, just so he can see us smile. Below are two of the many examples of how God has provided my wants since beginning my no-spend year.
First, I was decluttering our toy area and decided I would like different storage to hang dress up clothes; instead of having them mixed in with the toys in the toy chest. I found a building plan online, but we didn’t have all the supplies. I debated about building it for a few days then decided against it since we didn’t need it and it was a want not a need. That same night I talked to my husband about my decision, little did I know, he was completing a handyman job that day installing a coat area. The family he was working for had been using a cabinet with a dowel to store coats; they asked him if he wanted it and if not to take it and dispose of it. He brought it home to dispose of, but we ended up using it. We made a few minor adjustments, and it is now our dress up cabinet. If I had acted immediately on my want, I would have missed an opportunity to connect with God by acknowledging how he is working in my life.
Then, I was working at a jewelry store for a couple of days to help out a friend. Of course, I found multiple things I liked because, come on- sparkles! I wasn’t too tempted since I am in the habit of not spending money.... until I saw the rings. My wedding ring hasn’t fit for the last 11 months with being pregnant and postpartum. I refuse to get it resized because I want to lose the remaining baby weight then see if it will fit. I found 2 rings I liked that fit perfectly. I rationalized I should get one and replace the rosary ring I was currently wearing in place of my wedding ring. I didn’t need another ring but wanted one to satisfy my own desire for something sparkly. I made myself wait 2 days until I worked again, if they were still there, I would buy one. Two days later they were both gone. That evening I was talking to my mom, and she said, “I might have a ring that fits that you could use.” Guess what, her mother's ring fit perfectly! If I had reacted and purchased a ring out of impulse, I would have missed the chance to bond with my mom by borrowing her ring and deprive her of the positive feelings she received by giving to her child.
We have to slow down and give God the chance to work in our lives. If we cling to immediate gratification and rely on ourselves to meet our needs/wants, we lose the awareness of how God and others are working in our lives. God wants to give you more then you need, Matthew 7:11 says “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him”
How has God gifted you more than your needs? Tell us below.