Guest Post By: Chris Holmes
I try to see things the way God sees them. As a mere human, there’s very little chance in that.
Since I’m created in His image, I like to think I share some of the same frustrations.
I’m a father to three children. My daughter, twenty-one, is living with her fiancé. More than once, I’ve made mention my disapproval of their living arrangement. Never using a condemning tone, I’ve suggesting they make their relationship Biblically official if they are going to continue down this path together.
I have the proverbial plank in my own eye.
She is in college and he works for a government contractor making decent wages. I visit their home on occasion, noting the newest video game and the ever growing wine cork collection.
Inevitably, every six to eight weeks, I’ll get a phone call or a text; one of the vehicles needs a repair, or there’s a needed trip to the doctor, or they’re short by a few hundred on the house payment. I silently sigh with minor frustration and transfer the money to cover the emergency into their account.
I’ll never say no.
As much as I love my children, it’s but a grain of sand compared to the love our Creator has for us.
He endues in each of us the ability to provide for ourselves, but free will gets in the way and we decide to stray from the path set before us. That is when we realize we are lost. When we realize He is there to shelter us through the storm.
I attended University of Alabama at Birmingham, an hour away from home. I knew nothing about financial management. One crisp October evening, I found that my money did not last as long as the week. This was indicated by the negative balance on my ATM receipt. I walked back to my apartment dejected and hungry. Opening the cabinet where my sparse collection of food was kept, I found nothing inside except a container of oatmeal and assorted spices.
My week of excessive living weighed heavy on my heart as I walked to the bedroom and fell onto my bed.
I found myself talking with God for the first time in a while.
“God? I’m not starving, I know there are people around the world that are and I’m sorry for that, if I need to eat oatmeal for a week then that’s what I deserve for not taking care of what I had, but if you can make a way to provide more, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
My prayers still tend to be just as simple but He understands even without the eloquent words.
Without getting out of bed, I fell asleep.
The next afternoon, there was a knock on my door. I was more than shocked to see my 70-year-old grandmother standing with a few bags in her hand. It took several trips to bring up all the food she had brought, enough to feed me for many weeks.
Having no phone in my apartment, I had not spoken to her in over a month. I asked her what prompted her visit. She told me that I had been on her mind since the night before and when she bought her weekly groceries, she decided to buy me some as well.
I don’t think I ever hugged her as hard as that day.
Our Father is merciful and kind.
When I feel frustrated at my daughter for getting in her predicaments, God reminds me that He is the provider, not me.
He always has and always will come through for all of His children when we need Him.
Chris Holmes is a writer, thinker and philosopher.
He lives in North Alabama with his wife Christy.
Together they have three children and one very large dog.
You can check out his blog at writerchrisholmes.com
If you liked this you might like these...
