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This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is: PROVIDE
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I could fill entire libraries with stories of God’s faithful and gracious provision. Scores of libraries, in fact.
And yet I still forget.
I still forget that He never fails to provide abundantly more than all I can ask or imagine.
I still fret and lay awake at night, stressing over that one thing I forgot to do and the 89 other things still on my To Do List. Because if I don’t do them, then who will? and what then?
My fears reveal a deeper truth: I don’t trust that God will provide.
Of course we can’t take this truth flippantly as an excuse to sit back and do nothing. Obviously He’s not going to wave a magic wand to grant us our every wish as we sit on the couch watching Netflix.
But it does mean that we can rest easy, knowing that whatever purposes He has planned will prevail.
RELATED POST: Teaching Kids about God’s Providence (a.k.a. that time we reeeaallly wanted to go boating, but . . . )
Take my current book launch, for example.
My book released five weeks early on Amazon without warning. This minor glitch (or blessing?) threw me into a tailspin.
I had plans. I had a schedule. I wasn’t ready. I missed my window of opportunity to push for the ever-important pre-orders.
(And yes, I did cry about it briefly one morning, but don’t tell anyone.)
My husband quickly reminded me that even with the early, unexpected release, my book is still in the world and people will still read it.
And it’s true. Ultimately, the sales or potential success of this memoir are not up to me — God will provide the readers He sees fit when He sees fit to do so. He knows exactly who needs to read it, when, and why. And if the book doesn’t do well according to industry standards, well, that’s His good and gracious provision as well.
I can do my part, but the ultimate outcomes are up to Him.
STOP.
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Awww, Kate. How well I relate to your words! I’ve been that one who has felt like everything was up to me. God must just sit back and chuckle at us sometimes. I’m thankful He provides everything, and that He does so in His perfect way and timing.
Have a great weekend!
Kate, it’s always UP TO HIM. Remember God wasn’t caught off guard when the Amazon thing happened. He did go into a tailspin and say OH NO NOW WHAT? He didn’t crumple up His to-do list. Kinda like the birds on the telephone wire – have you ever seen one of them having a nervous breakdown because he doesn’t know where his next meal is coming from? I think not. Are YOU not more than they are? (Matthew 6.26) GAKAT = God Already Knew About This. Be still – He’s still in charge!!!
He did NOT go into a tailspin!
Good words, Kate. It’s a privilege to witness your book journey.
Kate, may you hold onto the promise that God has a plan and His plan is good and perfect. May He bless this book and its message in the lives of many!
Sorry to hear about your book launch not going as you planned. God must have something better planned … though you might not see it fully right now. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m adding my prayer that God uses your book to touch many lives. The topic of belonging is one close to me as someone who was born in South America, raised in the U.S. and lived in Europe for the past 14 years and now recently relocated back to North America. Think I’d like to read your story. 🙂
oh kate. i had no idea you had a glitch like that. you know, i get irritated as i see all the contortions we go through to do things just right. maybe GOD wants to show what HE can do instead of having you jump through all the hoops you are told you need to jump through for a successful book….whatever that is:(
i’ll pray for a successful book for you including financial success. i wasn’t thrilled with my actual post today, but i loved the passage i found to write on. you might enjoy reading it as encouragement: I Timothy 6:17-19.
Congratulations on your book launch. How exciting. God’s plans are so deep we can’t comprehend because his thoughts are to high to reach. He surprised you with the early launch. Sit back and wait he is in control. Blessings.
I feel ya, Kate. God is faithful though isn’t he, past our human ways of recycling old worries he has already gone before us and taken care of even!
So thankful to be on your launch team, and to get to see you again soon,
(Love & hugs)
Meg
Thankful for our guys who speak truth to us when we are teary.
I can do my part, but the ultimate outcomes are up to Him. Wise words. Congrats on the book … awaiting my copy!
Kate I remember waaaayyy back when reading about this project and look, here you are–well, here it is. I can see how wonky timing can throw you off, but I’m with your husband–at least the book is out there in the world.
May God bring much fruit from your labors.
Ah yes, trusting in His provision. So difficult for me as well.
Its hard when you have a plan of how things are going to happen, and then all of a sudden something takes place that seems to break all those plans apart. It is good to have a sounding board to help to change perspective and help you find focus again. God’s got you and he’s got your book! He knows who it needs to be seen by. You are loved!