There are a few things that should come in groups of three, The Three Blind Mice, The Three Stooges, Three Wise Men and a three-bean salad. There’s the Three Musketeers and Three Peas in a Pod and there is also the little saying that “things break, or die, in threes.”
While we don’t believe in superstition, Pat and I have recognized there is truth to that statement in our home. With the death of one appliance, it seems there are two more following close behind. That describes the last couple of months around here. We’ve had one item after another break and then last week my Jeep took a turn for the worse. I was running a few errands when I began to notice strange behavior from the Jeep. I decided it might be best for me to forgo my agenda and head straight home. I was afraid I might not get her running again if I stopped, but a desperate need for a restroom made my decision for me. I decided to stop at a Dunkin Donuts along the way and call Pat for help. He would be driving through on his way from work, so I would simply wait for him to check things out before risking the drive home.
As I waited, I prayed…well, I kind of prayed and kind of grumbled. These were some of the “prayers” that went through my mind…I can’t believe this! One more thing to add to our broken items list. How are we ever going to afford this? Why is this happening to us? Why now? What are we going to do? This is not a good time, Lord! We can’t replace the Jeep right now! Then I began to travel down the road leading me to question, “did God really say?” “Am I really where the Lord wants me?” As I grumbled to the Lord about the financial burden this was going to put upon us, Pat called me with his ETA… another 30 minutes. As I talked to him I decided I could use another potty break, so I hopped out of the jeep, but missed the landing and instead hit the edge of the blacktop, which caused me to face plant on the pavement. My phone flew from my hand; items from my purse spilled out, my toe, left leg and hand all suffered a beating from the fall. I was frustrated, embarrassed (yes, there were people all around me), and quite honestly, just downright mad. Now, along with the broken items in our house, a jeep that isn’t running right, I too, am feeling bruised, sore and exasperated. It was a long week.
I needed the Lord to give my attitude a little “tweak” and He did that for me on Saturday when He opened my eyes to this verse from John 6. “Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat? But He said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do” Phillip answered Him, Two hundred pennies’ (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little” (John 6:5-7, AMP).
Jesus asked Phillip a question that began with the phrase, “Where are we to” even though He already knew the answer. He knew there was a boy with two fish and five loaves of bread and He knew no one would go hungry that day. Yet, He stilled asked the question, “Where are we to buy bread for these people?” Phillip’s answer was probably similar to what mine might been. With a blank stare, I can hear my reply, “We don’t have the money or the supply to take care of them.” I may have looked at Jesus, in shock, wondering why He would even suggest it was our job to feed them. Why didn’t they pack a lunch? But He asked the “where” question, even when He knew the “how” answer, because He was testing Phillip’s response. After every miracle Phillip had seen, maybe Jesus was waiting for him to say, “I am not sure what You have up Your miracle sleeve on this one, Lord, but now would be a great time to reveal it.” Could that be the answer He is seeking from me, as well?
The Lord began to show me that while Jesus asks the “where are we to ” question, Satan asks the “did God really say?” question. That’s what he did to Eve in Genesis 3 when he cast doubt and made her believe God was holding out. When I allow, “did God really say?” to roll around in my mind, doubt increases, which leads to anxiety and fear. I become unable to trust if I heard God right, or if I am able to believe God is faithful to His promises. I have far too many memories of past experiences when God has met our needs to become fearful that He suddenly doesn’t know how He is going to meet new ones.
When we look out and see the masses of need and our circumstances begin to overwhelm us, no matter how big they may appear, we must remember that Jesus already has the answer. Rather than allow ourselves to question, “did God really say?” we need to turn our ears and listen for Jesus as He asks, “where are we going to” then simply reply, “That is a very good question, Lord, and I am glad You asked because I know You already have it figured out. Now, can You fill me in on the “how” please? Satan wants us to believe God is unable, but the truth is He is more than able.
Oh, one more group of three… The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three working together as One, helping us overcome no matter what three things may be thrown our way.
While we don’t believe in superstition, Pat and I have recognized there is truth to that statement in our home. With the death of one appliance, it seems there are two more following close behind. That describes the last couple of months around here. We’ve had one item after another break and then last week my Jeep took a turn for the worse. I was running a few errands when I began to notice strange behavior from the Jeep. I decided it might be best for me to forgo my agenda and head straight home. I was afraid I might not get her running again if I stopped, but a desperate need for a restroom made my decision for me. I decided to stop at a Dunkin Donuts along the way and call Pat for help. He would be driving through on his way from work, so I would simply wait for him to check things out before risking the drive home.
As I waited, I prayed…well, I kind of prayed and kind of grumbled. These were some of the “prayers” that went through my mind…I can’t believe this! One more thing to add to our broken items list. How are we ever going to afford this? Why is this happening to us? Why now? What are we going to do? This is not a good time, Lord! We can’t replace the Jeep right now! Then I began to travel down the road leading me to question, “did God really say?” “Am I really where the Lord wants me?” As I grumbled to the Lord about the financial burden this was going to put upon us, Pat called me with his ETA… another 30 minutes. As I talked to him I decided I could use another potty break, so I hopped out of the jeep, but missed the landing and instead hit the edge of the blacktop, which caused me to face plant on the pavement. My phone flew from my hand; items from my purse spilled out, my toe, left leg and hand all suffered a beating from the fall. I was frustrated, embarrassed (yes, there were people all around me), and quite honestly, just downright mad. Now, along with the broken items in our house, a jeep that isn’t running right, I too, am feeling bruised, sore and exasperated. It was a long week.
I needed the Lord to give my attitude a little “tweak” and He did that for me on Saturday when He opened my eyes to this verse from John 6. “Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat? But He said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do” Phillip answered Him, Two hundred pennies’ (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little” (John 6:5-7, AMP).
Jesus asked Phillip a question that began with the phrase, “Where are we to” even though He already knew the answer. He knew there was a boy with two fish and five loaves of bread and He knew no one would go hungry that day. Yet, He stilled asked the question, “Where are we to buy bread for these people?” Phillip’s answer was probably similar to what mine might been. With a blank stare, I can hear my reply, “We don’t have the money or the supply to take care of them.” I may have looked at Jesus, in shock, wondering why He would even suggest it was our job to feed them. Why didn’t they pack a lunch? But He asked the “where” question, even when He knew the “how” answer, because He was testing Phillip’s response. After every miracle Phillip had seen, maybe Jesus was waiting for him to say, “I am not sure what You have up Your miracle sleeve on this one, Lord, but now would be a great time to reveal it.” Could that be the answer He is seeking from me, as well?
The Lord began to show me that while Jesus asks the “where are we to ” question, Satan asks the “did God really say?” question. That’s what he did to Eve in Genesis 3 when he cast doubt and made her believe God was holding out. When I allow, “did God really say?” to roll around in my mind, doubt increases, which leads to anxiety and fear. I become unable to trust if I heard God right, or if I am able to believe God is faithful to His promises. I have far too many memories of past experiences when God has met our needs to become fearful that He suddenly doesn’t know how He is going to meet new ones.
When we look out and see the masses of need and our circumstances begin to overwhelm us, no matter how big they may appear, we must remember that Jesus already has the answer. Rather than allow ourselves to question, “did God really say?” we need to turn our ears and listen for Jesus as He asks, “where are we going to” then simply reply, “That is a very good question, Lord, and I am glad You asked because I know You already have it figured out. Now, can You fill me in on the “how” please? Satan wants us to believe God is unable, but the truth is He is more than able.
Oh, one more group of three… The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three working together as One, helping us overcome no matter what three things may be thrown our way.
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