Our provisions should prompt us to praise but, sadly, we’ve grown so accustomed to our comfortable lives, we often don’t take note of our common blessings until our shelves aren’t stocked, or the rain doesn’t stop, or more dramatically, we lose our home… or our country.
Last week my husband and three others handed out sandwiches and water in some of the worst areas of Paterson—sandwiches made in homes where sandwich-making is a common, thoughtless activity, in kitchens with running water that fills cups and washes hands. Food and water, provisions we barely consider.
I suspect those in refugee camps are keenly aware of provisions, thankful for a cup of rice, a bottle of water, someone’s discarded t-shirt, a night of safety, a pair of sandals, a ball for play, paper and pencil, a tarp in the rain.
Living in a new place has sensitized me to God’s extravagant provision and prompts praise daily, but I’m aware that familiarity has the power to dull my heart. Holy Spirit, keep me alert and thankful.
Let’s live with our eyes open to God’s gracious supply. Let’s pause and count our blessings. Add your praises to mine: a washer and dryer (on the main floor), air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom (!), recovery from illness, a heart beating in regular rhythm, space, birds at our feeders and deer crossing our yard, neighbors (near, but not too near), a great library, cupboards for dishes and filled with food, an attached garage, a front porch… Provisions that prompt praise!
…Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind,
for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9
BARBARA HIGBY 
I just read this now, almost 2 years later!! And you are so right! Our senses have dulled, our thankfulness went out the window. We are just used to these things. What has opened my eyes was when the Ukraine War started, and a woman from Ukraine was heard to say, ”What? We have Teslas”. Does that mean they are beyond danger? Does that mean they are safe? Does that mean WE are safe? What a false sense of security! No one is safe at any time. Wars, storms, drought, flooding, tornados, crime, death will all happen. How long can we say safe in our little boxes? (homes) How long can we pretend that all people are as comfortable as us? How long can we look the other way?
Something interesting happened last Sunday when I had to watch “church” from my iPhone. I heard my people singing. I heard my people’s prayer requests. I heard them discussing the sermon after church when the microphone wasn’t shut off right away. And I recognized their voices. I thought that must be how God looks down on us. He sees our tiny church in the middle of nowhere. (40 people) (God knows where we are). He hears our praise. He sees our offerings. He KNOWS OUR VOICES!! He keeps watch over us. He never promised us that war wouldn’t come to us. Or disease. Or storms. Or pain. Or loss. No matter if we have everything we need, that can change.
BUT. He has promised to never leave us. He has promised to always be our God! One we can claim. One we can trust. One who helps us. One who took that road to death before us, and has been there.
And He has asked that we go and do likewise. Help those who need help, in His precious name.
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Well said, Jan!
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