Shocked?
Surprised I haven’t mentioned it before?
Well, okay–I’m not exactly a trust fund baby in the regular sense. My parents are certainly not rolling in piles upon piles of green ones.
But . . . I have a heavenly Father. A heavenly Father who actually owns the world and everything in it, sustains it, runs the show so to speak, is sovereign over it all, and has given me an inheritance.
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it . . .” (Psalm 24:1)
If your daddy owned the world, wouldn’t it be kind of silly to worry about your provision and the security of your future? Really silly, in fact?
How much more in the heavenly sense.
I’m a fool to worry about the future. Because all the countries . . . all the banks . . . all the money . . . all the companies . . . all the land . . . everyone . . . God is Lord of it all. So how can I doubt his power to provide for us?
And not only is he powerful, but he is good.
“Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)
I’ve had a hard time recently balancing mothering and work. How much longer can I last at my job? has been the question echoing in my heart the past month or two. And whether it’s a passing emotional phase or the beginning of what would be a huge transition for our family, how can I question that we’ll be okay if God leads my heart to quit my job and simply trust? It would make no sense from a worldly point of view. It’s not the financially savvy decision, which would be hard for me because I’ve almost always made the financially savvy decision. But from a heavenly point of view, my efforts to be “financially savvy” pale in comparison to a God who says:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25-33)
I don’t want to be the “you of little faith” that Jesus talks about in this passage. In this time of wondering about the future, I want to be “she of great faith.” So this post is a rallying cry to my own heart. Have faith! Take heart! I’m God’s daughter, and he’s made me an heir to everything he has, along with Jesus. So I’m trusting.
I JUST typed up a message to my friend about all my worries/concerns, sent it ( on facebook), then scrolled a few posts down on my feed and saw your blog post on Facebook. Amazing timing, you can’t even imagine….
Hah! That’s an awesome “coincidence” Layla. =) So glad it worked out that way.
You say it so well!
God gives, and God takes away: blessed be His name! In the end it is not the thing He gives or takes that is so important as Who and How He is! He does and will provide for us (whether to our liking or not).
He can bring about amazing and unexpected provisions when we are without solutions or have to make those tough or seemingly illogical choices by the world’s standards because there is a clear indication of His leading.
It is also true that the way He provides all those things may be through the work and jobs He has provided. Keeping on seeking His wisdom, strength, and clear direction, being careful to distinguish between His leading and the feelings that may come and gois a necessary endeavor, albeit difficult at times. Enjoying His provision of a job you already have does not of itself constitute a lack of faith. Lack of faith would be not obeying and following His will when it becomes absolutely evident, and trusting your current situation rather than Him as He takes you in the new direction.
But then, you already know that! =)
I love you Mom! Yep, you’re right on with everything. =)
You truly have a gift of writing God’s words!!!!:)
Maybe God will bless you through this gift~~~:)
love you and miss you!
Thanks Eve. Love you and miss you too!
You’re an inspiration Jenna! God will lead you and the right thing will happen. Best of luck!
Man, I get it. It’s totally pointless to worry when it does us no good, and we know that God will provide, but it’s still hard not to get scared or worry when you’re faced with a big decision like this that means a lot less income! My decision was made easier by the fact that I REALLY really really really really wanted to stay at home b/c that had been my objective and dream my whole life. I put a LOT of faith in God because we are living on a very low income now and it has been scary but so far, we are getting by a lot easier than I expected without any assistance other than from above. Have we had to make changes to our lifestyle and do we feel the pinch? Oh, yes. But it has been so worth it. 🙂 I hope this encourages you!
That is encouraging to hear Veronica! I’m so glad you took the leap and are loving it. =)
Jenna, your post was such a blessing in itself and then I read your comment section and was blessed even more. Yes, God truly does provide — be it financial or loving support.
What a pleasant surprise — I found you because I was looking for some ideas for a sweet- spicy ginger pork thing I want to whip up, and yours from 2011 looks good, and then when I got to your home page I found this,
after I spent a large part of the day meditating on and writing about our inheritance.
How awesome it is, that the kingdom and all power and all glory belong to Him, from which He endlessly and abundantly supplies the needs of those who trust and obey Him.
Bless you (and thanks for posting the recipe; I’m going into my kitchen right now to do a riff on it.)
How wonderful you’d been thinking about inheritance all day, and that it “just so happened” I had just published that post! Thanks for commenting, and amen. =)
Jenna! I haven’t commented much in a while, but i wanted to say thank you for this post! Through a series of bad decisions and impulsive decisions, i left my job a couple of weeks ago. I don’t have another job yet. I’m not even sure about what KIND of job i want. What i do know is that i needed a break. I’m spending much needed time with friends and planning a MONTH in Florida to see my parents and two sisters. I’m trying to have faith that it will all work out as it should. But that doesn’t mean that i don’t have moments of sheer panic or regret.. But for the most part, i am happy and excited for the next stage of my life. :). Thank you for reminding me that what will be, will be, no matter what i do. So relax and enjoy the ride. Hugs, Alice is precious. Hope your family is doing well and is full of blessings.
Hey Giselle! Wow . . . big changes for you. I’m glad to hear that you get some time to be with your family. That’s awesome–I hope your time in Florida is wonderful and revitalizing. And hopefully some new dreams will take root during your time of rest, about what to do next. That’s my advice to you–leave your heart open to dreaming and see what ideas start to bloom.
Hugs to you too. Let me know what happens! =)