Vendor Writing: Norma B.

God Gives Us What We Need When We Need It

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Recently after having a particularly bad day, I was listening to my Christian meeting and I was reminded to make the most of my current situation, and not be longing for things of the past.

The speaker encouraged his listeners to have patience and remember that, “God’s got your back, and he ALWAYS gives us what we need when we need it,” and he WILL NOT put more on us than we can bear, but that he will make a way out for you. (1 Cor. 10:13) He went on to say that DOES NOT mean he will take the trial away. Case in point: three times Paul asked to have a thorn in the flesh removed from him. The response he received was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:7-9) These were all much needed reminders for me right now.

I’ve also learned from studying the scriptures that God can use anyone to teach us valuable lessons. Consider what happened the following day.

Many of my customers know I’ve been struggling a bit lately. One in particular stopped and asked if I was feeling “joyful.”

I answered honestly and said, “No, not really, not today. ” But quickly pointed out, “I’m still smiling!”

He paraphrased James 1:2-4, “Consider it all pure joy my [sister] when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature complete not lacking anything.” He continued by saying, “You should feel honored. God knows what you can handle even better than you do.”

I smiled and said, “I know you’re right, but sometimes I just wish he had less confidence in me and gave me a little less to deal with.”

Shortly after that, another customer stopped to ask how I was doing. I’d talked to him on an earlier visit about some of the difficulties I was having. He reminded me of the need to “Honor ALL men” (1 Peter 2:17 ) no matter what they may say or do, and to love people in spite of the circumstances and then he paraphrased 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.

I agreed but acknowledged sometimes that’s really hard to do, but I thanked him, and told him how much I needed to hear that right now. He just smiled and said, “I thought you might. Why do you think I stopped?”

I must admit I was feeling much better now, but it turns out God wasn’t quite done with me yet that day.

I got home and counted what I made that day. It was $34.18. (I’m NOT complaining. I honestly do believe I have exactly what I’m supposed to have at the end of every day, but there are people who insist that I make more than they do — maybe some days. Well, here is a reality check for those individuals.)

It did however remind me of yet another one of my favorite scriptures Psalms 34:18 which says, “The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those crushed in spirit.”

What a day! It definitely didn’t go according to my plan, but it did emphasize for me the more important things In life!

What more could I possibly ask for?

Thanks to ALL who made what started out being a not-so-good day a GREAT day after all!