I feel as if I have written the following story before. But, in the fine tradition of ‘storytelling,’ the listener is often subjected to repeated tales. So, I offer no apology, this is just how my thoughts ‘ran’ today.

Matthew 6:9-13 King James Version (KJV)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

I read this today and remembered when the words, ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ broke upon beaches of troubled times. It was Fall of 2008. Most people saw their finances in freefall. Bankers were being threatened with jail time, the real estate market was upside down; my Childcare business had been reduced to one child and an income of just under $350.00 per month.

Prior to this catastrophe I held numerous credit cards, all timely paid. I had five different checking accounts. But by June of 2008, I begin to see the crises mirrored in my finances. Suddenly credit cards interest rose from 1% to over 26% in a matter of a month. For the first time in my adult life, I could not pay my bills. I could not pay my mortgage, and additional work was not to be found. I know I looked, and looked, and looked.

I decided to close all but one bank account, this would allow me to pay pressing debt and buy a little food. My food budget for the Childcare and my home combined fell to $10.00 a week and $10.00 per week for transportation.

I was praying with desperation. I pointed out to the Lord that His delay in answering my prayers had placed me in a position of violating biblical ‘good’ stewardship. The Lord answered my accusation in a way that rolled my burden away, with tears and repentance.

When I reached the third bank, encouragement walked with me. I did not know how, but I knew it would work out alright. I told the teller what I needed to do, she asked the routine question seeking to know why.

“I needed to close my auxiliary accounts to utilize the funds,” I replied. She offered empathy for my predicament. But GOD had spoken, and my soul rested in His words to me. “Oh no, it’s going to be alright!” I replied. Then I shared with the clerk what the Lord had spoken into my grief.

“You know that I answer prayers? You know that I provide for your needs, right?” “Oh yes Lord,” I was happy to reply. “Your only problem,” He said; “you resent having to ask me daily!”

That teller must have been from a Pentecostal church because the words hit her in a physical and quickening way. We both stood wordless grinning with unmerited joy, tears filling our eyes.

I knew for certain that GOD would provide, I just wanted Him to stock the cabinets, so I would have a visible assurance of provisions.

Time and space will not allow me to write of all GOD did for me during those days. I will say that I became “fire in the kitchen”. I learn to cook good bone sticking, lip-smacking food on $10.00 a week!

“I will always give thanks unto the Lord, for He is so good, and His mercy endures forever!”