In Plenty and in Want

The Bible states that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. He is our great and glorious provider. We all should be grateful for the food that is before us daily. The routine tasks of shopping, preparing, planning, and cooking can sometimes weary us and our sense of gratitude for our daily bread.

Many of us vowed before our beloved on our wedding day the words "in plenty and in want." It is assumed that at some point in our marriages we will experience the want. There are blessings and lessons that come when we experience the lean times.

It is hard to imagine not wanting rich plentiful daily foods, to eat until ones heart is content, and not to worry about tomorrow. Having an abundance seems to be the more logical blessed state.

We certainly have enjoyed times when there was bounty and plenty to share. There came a time when our budget became so tight year after year as my dear husband studied and worked his way through seminary. We also discovered food allergies at the time that had us readjust much of my usual meal plans. I was learning new flour combinations and the basics of baking all over again. We made sure our children had the first helpings and divided what was left. Many times those years I lived on their leftovers or skipped lunches so there would be enough for our children. What was the blessing in that? What did the Lord do that was so amazing? He taught me the wonderful lesson of contentment. He taught me to trust Him and to desire daily bread and not more than that.

We learned to appreciate the seasons when certain foods were plentiful and cheaper. We stocked, saved, and savored food a lot more than before. We saved up for meals for special holidays and always enjoyed the Lord's Day with something more special than the usual rice and beans.

While talking about contentment, I asked my teen a hypothetical question: if I gave her a bunch of strawberries every day week after week that was more than she could eat, how much would she appreciate them? Then I asked her what if she hadn't had them for a long time and I lovingly placed some on her plate as a surprise, then what would her reaction be? The Lord opens His hand to us in His wise and loving way. If we struggle with gluttony, fretting about tomorrow, or maybe ingratitude for the rice and beans before us He will deal with His children in His most wisest and loving way.

There are wonderful resources for families to use for meal planning, budgeting, shopping for the best prices, etc. I could have blogged all sorts of tips and tricks, but the heart of the matter remains.

Are you grateful for the times of want as well as the times of plenty? Do you lay before the Lord the attitudes and habits you have formed with food? Do you take more than you should?

Dear ones take the time to plan meals well with whatever He has given you. It is the same Lord who cared for the widow and fed the prophet Elijah with the ravens. He knows our every need. Do not despair when the times are lean.

Know the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He gives us all things from His wise and loving hand. Let us yearn for grateful hearts this season and give to our dear ones in need. One can not out give the Lord. He blesses abundantly even in our times of want. He teaches you and me to depend on Him and be good stewards with the means He provides.

He has taught me how to make food stretch, the joys of hosting with what I have, and humbly being blessed by others in return. He has satisfied me with a hot cup of tea till the next meal. Food tastes better when love and gratitude are alongside it. My desire is for you to know the same sweet contentment found only in the Lord.