I love pizza! But it was not a high priority this week--UNTIL Thursday night! I had been super busy and stressed, working diligently on the Internet for Christians newsletter, where I've just assumed a new position as managing editor. (I'm not busy enough...grin...pray for me!) I finally reached a stopping point that evening, and received a nice note from the executive editor, "Good job...now relax, and go get some pizza!"
Ahhh...the power of the spoken word! It even works in email, for suddenly and without warning, I found myself craving pizza. A frantic call to my husband's office resulted in no good news. He would not be able to leave until later when the little pizza shop would probably be closed. His encouraging words to me were, "Go make yourself a sandwich!" I discouragingly explained (that means I whined!), "But I want PIZZA," and with no hope of getting any, this obedient wife went upstairs to the kitchen and made herself cereal! Back down to the office to work, about an hour later, I heard my husband calling, "Come see the provision of the Lord!"
Well, you guessed it! I ran upstairs to find a huge box sitting on my kitchen counter, and in it a wonderful pepperoni and sausage pizza, homemade, from the little Italian pizza shop! Now--want to hear the rest of the story? My husband related that driving by on his way home, he noticed lights still on at the little shop. He stopped, went inside, only to hear, "We're closed." Knowing his wife WELL, my husband asked, "But would there even be SOMETHING I could take home and bake myself?" The family owners, Christians by the way, huddled together a bit, then one walked over to the oven. On top of it was a large pizza box. "Here," he said. "If you don't mind something a little overdone, you're welcome to it!" And with that, he gave the pizza to my husband and would not accept any payment.
I'm sure Joe laughed with joy all the way home, and couldn't wait to share the goodness and the provision of the Lord to his wife, a weary, tired new Italian editor, who just happens to love pizza! The whole family quickly devoured "someone's" never-picked-up, slightly overdone, now FREE pizza--after I got my share, of course! What a PERSONAL Lord we serve--He provides not only our needs but our wants too, even a real Italian pepperoni pizza! Now, come with me to the Well, for He provides lots MORE than just pizza for me. He provides good things for us all. Come and see the provision of the Lord!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
More Gladness for the Heart!
Sometimes there's just not enough gladness to go around. We find ourselves in the "slough of despond," heavy-hearted, sad and distressed. Where's the joy we discovered at our salvation? It's there--we may not "feel" it, for feelings change, but let Jesus be your strength! It's His promise, and when we have reached "empty" in the gladness tank, God is there to fill it up. His Word brings deep joy, His presence brings eternal delight--there's MORE for you at the Master's Table today! Appropriate the provision of the Lord and be glad!
More Grace for the Soul!
Sometimes there's just not enough grace to go around. We find ourselves beyond the end of endurance and ask, "How much more! Lord, I can't take it! " Life can be difficult, and in the trials and tests of your own personal life, it may seem you have reached "the last mile of the way." That's when the Lord steps in--with MORE grace to sustain your tested soul. He knows what you are going through, and He promises to never leave nor forsake you. The grace that SAVED you is enough to KEEP you--in every situation. His grace is all-sufficient. There's MORE for you at the Master's Table today! Appropriate the provision of the Lord and rejoice!
More Glory for the Spirit!
Sometimes there's just not enough glory to go around. Everyone around us is spiritually blessed and enriched, and we find ourselves in a spiritual slump. We read our Bible, pray, serve the Lord, and nothing seems to work. Stop trying--HE alone is the source of glory. He is the LORD of glory, and when you stop straining to be spiritually in tune, you'll find He's there, to sweetly and calmly pour into your spirit more glory than you can contain. The glory of His presence is there even when you do not feel it there. He will not turn aside a spirit yearning for Him and His presence. You will "YET praise Him who is the help of your countenance and your God!" And remember, in the desert process, all is not lost, for He's teaching you to thirst for Him. He's watching--and He, the Lord of glory plans MORE for you at the Master's Table today. Appropriate the provision of the Lord and be blessed!
Pizza will delight the taste buds and the tummy--and bring a smile! It did for me, and it WAS the provision of the Lord. But He loves you personally too. He knows your needs AND your wants! The same Lord who provided pizza for me can provide peace, joy, gladness, goodness, grace, glory, for us all! We serve a God of abundant supply--there's no limit to His provision! Sometimes it's pizza--and sometimes it's MORE! "Oh taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!"
