“All Right, God, Let’s Talk Turkey”

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

~ Matthew 6:11

“What does that even mean, Lord? ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ You told us to pray like that, but I don’t get it.”

Commission based salary. If you’re familiar with it, you know the “ebb and flow” of income. No worries! We’ve learned to live within the minimal. However, sometimes the minimal doesn’t cover all life’s necessities. I don’t mean the luxury items, such as Starbucks coffee or cable TV. I’m talking noodles instead of steak; water instead of milk; and saying “no” to certain events in order to conserve gas.

Two weeks ago, my conversation with God sounded similar to this:

“God, I’d really like to trust You right now, but all I can see are car payments, phone bills, utility statements, not to mention groceries…and I could name more, if You really want. ‘Our daily bread?’ If bread was the only thing we had to think about, it wouldn’t be so bad!”

In response, my thoughts were drawn to why bread was such a necessity by people living in another culture, another time. Folks used to visit the market daily. Flour and oil were basic necessities for making bread, and bread was a staple, as it is in so many cultures and countries today.

So, necessities. I’m to ask God for my necessities.

“Okay, Lord, we have a lot of bills…Please give us our daily bread, the necessities in order to pay the bills that need to be paid.”

Again, my thoughts were directed to another Scripture: “Now to Him who by His power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine…”

“All right, then. I’m asking You for a specific number to pay our debts, more than what I think we need. Furthermore, I’m asking that You put it in certain people’s hearts to help in whatever way You see fit without me bringing it up. And in advance, I’m thanking You for whatever You do and praising You for who You are in these circumstances. May I not be sad and pathetic, but cheerful, knowing Your provision has already been promised.”

For emphasis, I added, shaking my finger towards the sky, “I’m trusting You!”

*******

The next day, I made a phone call to a friend regarding a job reference. “So, Becky, how are you doing? What’s going on in your life? How can I be praying for you?”

“Things are going pretty well, all things considered. I’m hoping to get a job online for editing and proofreading or freelance writing. It’d be good experience.”

It’s going to have to be more specific than that, Lord.

“Everything going okay financially?”

All right, that’s pretty specific.

******

Over the next few days, half a dozen similar conversations with different people ensued. At the end of the week, through the generosity of both friends and strangers, our bills were caught up. After two weeks, on Sunday morning, someone we’ve never met, lavishly gave a piece of his heart. Everything is now paid…above and beyond my “specific number,” more than I, or Neil, imagined. We were stunned and speechless, overwhelmed with overflowing gratitude.

Too often, I say, “God will provide” without too much thought. Although I know it, to really think about how much He daily provides, blows my mind. A roof over our heads, food on the table, resources for bills, a job, but there is something more…

Without Him, what do I really have? The provision of His Son, Jesus Christ, has offered far beyond anything I can ask or imagine. Through the gift of God, the death and resurrection of Christ has offered me a love relationship with Him and life –forever. I’ve accepted it.

As He is the bread of my life, my necessity for living, will He not, also, provide my daily bread?