Living Manna

"Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions." Exodus 16:4

My children have been reading 1 Kings about the story of Elijah. I just said to them yesterday, imagine pouring out our milk onto your cereal every day and the carton never goes empty. (We go through about a gallon every two days...3 superheros go through a lot of milk.)

We have been praying for Mr. Incredible to get a job. He has been applying everywhere. Still only closed doors. Then two days ago my 8 year old reads these words in his Bible in Matthew chapter 18:20...

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” He leans over to me and says..."Does this mean that if you and I pray right now and agree and believe that the Lord will answer?" Yes! If it is God's will...absolutely! My 8 year old superhero bows his heads, folds his hands and prays...

"Please Lord, help my Dad to get a job, so we can have food to eat and money to pay bills and Dodger can get his checkup. Please help my Dad be the best nurse ever so he can get a great job as a nurse someday and make be feel better."

I prayed after him that the Lord would indeed provide for our every need. We were standing on holy ground. My boy looked up and wanted to call his Dad, right then and there. Instead he called my friend and when he told her what he had read in his Bible she responded by saying that he certainly found a golden nugget in God's Word and that she too would agree in prayer. He hung up the phone and immediately said..."Well, Mom...that's three. God's totally going to answer our prayers!"

I've been reading through the Bible chronologically. I'm in Exodus now...the Israelites are in the wilderness. God has rescued his people and they have already started to grumble. I know this story. I am aware that in our humanity we could easily grumble. I am conscious of how I respond to God in times of need. We are in times of need right now, and I continue to praise Him. I've done the grumbling thing in the past..that only serves to make me feel horrible. I've learned that lesson..so I approach the throne in love with my Rescuer! Longing for His presence!

This is hard for me to write about. He has provided in miraculous ways for my husband to go to school. We do not have any debt..praise God. We have had incredible expenses come up and while my husband's school is completely paid for...we are struggling to figure how we will make it for the next few months. I have two part time jobs and am so thankful! We are faithful to give back to the Lord a good portion of what He has so graciously given to us. It is all His! We try always, to live by the Word and walk in obedience.

In the quiet of the night last night I thought to myself that I would begin to ration our food. Only 2 cups of milk a day for each child. Only one for Mike and I. PB&J every day for lunch for all of us...we have beans and that can go a long way. One serving of food is all anyone really needs per meal. My children and friends do not need homemade cookies or cookies at all. We need to make this stretch..if in fact we are going to be able to pay our bills this month and next and next.

This morning I thanked the Lord for His provision. I read that verse I have above and know in my heart that He is indeed my Manna..He is exactly what I need. I wasn't hungry, or in need. He is my supply. My mind did wander to George Mueller and thought about when he had nothing for those orphans to eat, he prayed and thanked God for his provision. His provision of Himself. I shared with my boys at breakfast about how I think we will be eating hot meals for dinner and sandwiches for lunch. No more "leftovers" for lunch..lets save that for dinner..it will feel more like dinner and get us through the night. They were fine with that and the limit of the milk with two meals a day...water can be with lunch.

We were joyfully starting our morning with devotions when we hear a car in the drive way. Jesus stopped by today. He brought us Manna! "Food to eat!" as my 8 year old prayed. My children ran out to the van and said..."We have been praying that God would give us food...and you answered our prayer." No boys, the Lord answered our prayer...through this saint. He is our Provider, our Supply, our Manna!

I think this covers...#280-289 of my gratitude list, my 1000 Gifts.