The Abundance of God's Supply

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

During the spring of 2017, God called me to return to work after a two-year absence. I felt overwhelmed with despair about returning to a job I no longer wanted, which demanded more hours and responsibilities than I had previously. Taking care of a client, who had become more like a member of my family, made me feel uneasy. She had told me she was planning a move to a new area when her name came up on the list of an older adults apartment complex, where she desired to be. I didn’t drive, so I would not be following her to continue care.

God had graciously called me back to a job that again was not secure and would drain the juice out of me. During this time, my daughter and grandchildren lost everything because of a divorce and financial calamity. The money I was earning was going to them for support, so I knew my returning to the job wasn’t about taking care of me.

Sitting with my client one day, grieving for my daughter and grandchildren, fear gripped my soul. Turning away from my client, I glanced out of the window. To my surprise, I noticed some birds fighting outside the window. I had seen that flock of birds before, daily pecking at the ground for food. But this was one of those special days when my client threw out old bread on the lawn just outside her apartment. A few birds pecked pieces from the pile until only one lump of bread was left. A fight broke out between the birds as they scrambled for the last piece of bread. I was stunned as the adorable little birds fought for the last crumb.

As they flapped their wings, ferociously trying to prevent one another from gathering the last bit. Suddenly, a big black crow swooped in and flew away with the entire lump of bread. My first thought was, "He's taking it back to his nest for later."

It was then that God spoke to me about the battle, "They are fighting over human food when I have already generously supplied them with food."

I didn't see anything with my naked eye, and I walked that field every day to get to her house, unless it rained. Three days later, after a torrential rainstorm in our area, I saw just what he meant. Walking along the sidewalk to get to my client's house, which was just around the corner from mine, I couldn't help but notice the vast number of worms. They were everywhere, and I couldn't avoid stepping on piles of them as I walked to get to her house. Usually, I could step over one or two as I walked along after a storm, but this day, there was no clear path for me to walk to avoid them.

"Where in the world did all these worms come from?" I declared out loud as I gasped in disgust over the matter.

Then, I heard God say, "They were there all along; you just couldn't see them in the ground until the storm washed them out. But the birds always knew they were there; however, they preferred to fight over the scarce human food rather than enjoy the abundance that I had already provided for them." He also added, "That black crow is a lot like the devil, who will swoop in and take from you the ungodly pleasures you enjoy, leaving you fighting to get back little, when I have sufficiently supplied you with abundance that you don't appreciate."

I walked away that day with a better understanding of God's word in Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV), "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

That scripture and that lesson were of significant support to me because the battle had just begun. My client had a bout with bedbugs and lost all her care-provider support, except for me and 84-year-old aunt. We had to break down her house and bag up everything to prepare for the exterminator. This ordeal would take months to resolve. In addition to that, she was hospitalized twice, and I was very ill with a severe cold three times. I seldom catch colds, so catching three colds back-to-back was shocking and debilitating.

On three occasions, while I was with my client, she heard her name being called. “Did you call me?” she asked. “No, I didn’t,” I responded the first two times. The third time, I declared, “I think God is calling you.” I had often remembered how I would hear my name being called out, especially as a child. I didn't know at the time that God was calling me, but later I clearly knew it was him. She was not a born-again Christian, although she and I talked a lot about God. This time she inquired more about him. One day she asked me about a relationship with God, and gave her life to Christ in November 2017, as we sat together in her home and prayed.

In the spring of 2018, we were preparing the house for extermination, and at the same time, we were preparing her for back surgery. She was a bit hesitant and nervous, so I prayed with her frequently. In the early morning hours of April 24, 2018, I wheeled her out to put her on a medical van to be transported to the hospital where she would have her surgery. I stayed behind and cleaned the house, then went home. I had no idea that would be the last time I would see her alive. She passed-away in early May 2018 due to complications in the rehabilitation center.

After her burial, I had a conversation with the Lord, inquiring about why he had sent me back. It was then that I understood he hadn’t sent me back to a job. He sent me back to do a greater work—to lead my client to Christ and prepare her to come home to meet him.

Sometimes, as caregivers and ministers, we take on more than we think we can bear. I didn’t want to go back to that position of employment, and I was worn out from it. But God provided just enough strength to help me help my client. And he also provided just enough time for me to minister God’s grace to her in the gift of his “Great Salvation.”

Losing my client, friend, sister-in-Christ, and my other daughter (she affectionately called me her other mother) was a shocking blow. Losing my job and income was just as traumatic. But when I look back at what God did, I am able to smile knowing that she is right where she needs to be—in the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.

My grandchildren, who also loved her, asked if we could resurrect her back to life. “No, I think she’d much rather stay in heaven with God rather than to come back here to a place that she hated,” I responded, laughing.

I admire how God anticipates our needs and provides graciously through his hidden treasures and abundant supply. His grace is always sufficient, even though we may not recognize his generosity in that moment.

Prayer:

Father, help me recognize your abundant supply in all creation. When I don't have a clue how I will make it, help me remember you. I may not understand all the "why's" that I have to live through, but I definitely understand that I will get through because of you. Your love and support are my inner strength, and I thank you for your abundant supply of it. Because of you, I know that when I am weak, I am indeed strong! The Scripture 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds me, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Hallelujah!!! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.