I had an experience yesterday… not unlike the ones I had with her. I’ve spent the better part of my morning thinking about my experience, writing a few words to memorialize our encounter. I’m not sharing the fullness of that writing in a post, but I thought I’d give you a few thoughts to chew on over the weekend. You may want to re-visit the backdrop for my thoughts as found in Exodus 16. In this piece, I work with the idea of our not “taking more than we need”–about living within the daily boundaries of God’s daily provision. I realize this reading it is not in its full context, but I wanted to:
1. Say “hello.”
2. Tell you that God has been mighty good to me over the past few weeks in regards to my preparations for She Speaks. His daily manna has been just enough for a day’s worth of doing. I pray you know the witness of his manna in your life this weekend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Never take more than you need.
I have a feeling this has been a guiding principle for her throughout her life. Receiving help as she needed it, but declining it when she had enough. Oh for a heart like hers to know when to take and when to give back. When to say “yes” and when to say “I have enough for today. You keep it for your family.”
Our spiritual ancestors had a difficult time discerning that balance. Manna from God was a daily dispensation, their gathering of it as well. A daily obedience not to be taken advantage of, but rather to be celebrated. To say back to God, “Yes and this is enough for today.” When they didn’t—when stocking the pantry took priority over receiving the daily provision of God—the resulting consequences didn’t allow them to imbibe their hoarding.
“However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but is was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.” (Exodus 16:20)
Could it be the same for us in our hoarding of blessings? Could we, in the receiving of blessing upon blessing a few thousand times over, get to the place of keeping them for ourselves? Worse yet, of coming to expect them as our right rather than to humbly receive them as a grace from God? When is God’s “enough” enough for us? Why does abundance sometimes breed greediness? Why can’t God’s daily provision settle down within our hearts as faith rather than as distrust?
I think this is it. I think we are afraid that God’s goodness has a limit. We falsely reason that even though today it’s raining manna, tomorrow it might be raining famine. So we collect and hoard and relish our abundance; in doing so we break ranks with God’s mandate to live daily beneath his provision. We cultivate a deserving attitude because, after all, we are God’s children on the road to the Promised Land. Before long, the stench of maggots have replaced the once, sweet smell of God’s “enough,” and the odor emanates upward to the nostrils of heaven. And we wonder where it all went wrong. When did the manna turn to maggots, and why do we feel so empty on the inside?
Manna begins in its disintegration when we take it upon ourselves to manage the blessings of God. Certainly, we need them, especially the witness of God’s love to us through others in our times of great trial. When the need is great, the manna rains down proportionally—maybe with a generous dispensation to last us beyond the borders of a single day. But when our need is less, we must relinquish our expectations for more and live within the boundaries of day’s worth of manna. When the need is but a day’s worth, the manna will fall accordingly. Out of his abundance, the Father gives to us what we need. We must receive it with thankfulness and then we must release our expectations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For what it’s worth, there you go. Love to you each one!
Peace for the journey,
So much good stuff to ponder….I've thought about the Israelites so many times when I feel overwhelmed with "stuff." There would be comfort in having just enough of anything…nothing extra…But at the same time, "preparing or stocking up" is in our "man made" DNA. We humans are a hard bunch to please.
Thank you for your thoughts. I am blessed by them always.
God Bless,
Amy
"…we must relinquish our expectations for more and live within the boundaries of day’s worth of manna…"
Yep! I think you're on to something here, Elaine!
Now to get this from my head to my heart to my hands.
Delicious Manna !!!
This is such a good lesson that speaks volumes to something the Lord has been teaching me. There will always be enough, more, abundance that is overflowing. Never any need to hoard anything.
It doesn't come naturally to me though. I was taught growing up that you better get while the getting's good and hang on to it before someone else takes it. It's been a hard thing to unlearn.
Wonderful message, and much to pray on today Elaine.
Trusting in God's faithfulness to us, and releasing the mantle of "being owed" is vital for us to realize the true bounty of our Lord's Grace.
Great post!
Have a Blessed Weekend!!!
"Manna" is definitely on our minds today Elaine. I saw your post and had already written mine, so went ahead and posted it.
How I thank God that He is our daily supply.
xo
Hello, my friend,
I've been pondering on thoughts like this recently (having just read Mountains Beyond Mountains). You approached my thoughts from a different angle and did it so eloquently!
We have so much and share so little. What rich lessons there are in Exodus 16. So against our human nature to trust God's provision. To accept "enough" and no more. Only a divine and holy perspective can change our gaze from what comes so naturally.
Good stuff here!
Blessings,
Kelli
My problem is in wanting what I can not have (my children close by) and trying to trust that GOD will grant me my desire eventually if I don't attempt to change circumstances in my own strength.
The hope deferred part of faith!
Thanking HIM for today's manna and the bottle that collects my tears.
((HUGS))
Oh my goodness..there is so much truth here.
" I think we are afraid that God’s goodness has a limit. We falsely reason that even though today it’s raining manna, tomorrow it might be raining famine."
We are just plain greedy! We are a "MORE" society. So were the Israelites. What wisdom to chew on for a bit!
Great post, Elaine!
Going to think upon this as I go through out my day. Priscilla Shirer taught on "manna" at Deeper Still last month in Kentucky.
Where you have me pondering is "Is God's enough, enough"
Should be….but I need to do some pondering and listening.
Love YOU!
I found you from Sassy Granny….and I read several of your posts. Your writing and heart for the King are just what I love to read. I'm adding you to my reader so I can continue the journey with you (even if I stay hidden by not commenting). I wish I could go to SheSpeaks…but my time hasn't come, yet.
Oh yes, I remember that other post well. And I appreciate how you've woven it into your thoughts here.
I dare say I've attempted to digest the old & odd manna far too many times. I wonder why that is, given the scrumptious & satisfying content of today's manna? Who in their right mind would trade a worm-laden morsel for the King's fare? (I ask myself …)
Such a beautiful post, Elaine.
My love & appreciation,
Kathleen
Great words for the coming days. Thank you!
This writing contains a full meal to savor!
Love,
R&B
Great post, Elaine! Such thought-provoking words to take to heart.
We are all so blessed with "manna", yet you are right….we want to hoard it, maybe because we are afraid it will end. Makes us somewhat selfish I think….or our belief level is not where it should be.
~Beth
I am guilty of hoarding. It's an issue of control for me, having had some of my life stolen from me. It's also unbelief and fear. Praying for peace as I learn to live on Him alone. 🙂
Great post as always.
words of life.
love u
t
Thanks for this post. What a treasure of thoughts. You words have reaffirmed some things God's been teaching me for a while and pointed me to consider new angles as well.
God's showing me how grasping for more than I need points to a mistrust in His ability to provide for me among all His other children. As if God could run out of the ability to be sufficient for EVERY ONE of His people! It's a very low view of God and it stinks indeed.
I was sent here by my friend Kathleen (Sassy Granny)with instructions to seek you out at She Speaks when I'm there. (And I always try to do as she says!)I now we'll be among 600 or so women but if you have time to connect I'd love to.
Wow! What a great post. Thank you so much, my sister, for always having the right words to say. God is definitely speaking through you.
I do remember reading a post you had written about "her" maybe over a year ago.
And so I decided to go back to that post, and yes I was right, it was the same story I had in mind. About the four of you praying for her in the midst of a not too comfortable situation, yet it turned out to be a God moment for all of you… with the gentle rain softly falling, God's message that it is part of His plan…
And now, thank you for sharing what happened, using less words than more… and letting the Holy Spirit speak to your readers in His own gentle way.
It is enough for now. Indeed it is.
Thank you for being sensitive to His leading as you write your posts.
Much love
Lidj
What a beautiful post. I needed that manna today. I pray that I won't hoard manna but daily thank Him for His daily abundance. Thank you for the lovely reminder.
"…when stocking the pantry took priority over receiving the daily provision of God."
Rich stuff, Elaine.
I'm excited to hear about your time at She Speaks.
I'm in a place right now where I need reminders about being content, and this is a good one. Thanks for faithfully sharing the manna of the insights God gives you, Elaine!
been thinking about you…
prayers
How often I have hoarded my blessings… and you are right that they turned into maggots. Useless to anyone. Praying that I take this to heart… sharing the blessings which is its own blessing!