God's Mercy & Gracious Blessings

I have been putting food outside my kitchen sliding door. I make "milk" from almonds, and place the ground up nut meal out on the step for whomever it is that happens by. So far, there have been squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and one adorable grey mouse, in his fluffy full winter coat. The mouse tunnelled through snow to get to the food, and it makes my heart happy to think of the little guy ... and it also had me wondering when I saw him, What about the days I don't put anything out? Should I worry about him starving to death?

Have you ever wondered how it is that birds, with their stick thin legs, manage to stay warm? How is it, that when I go outside in the winter, with far more meat on my ankles than the birds I mentioned, I have to cover all flesh to keep from feeling the freeze? I won't go in outdoor waters unless they are a certain temperature, and yet ducks and geese happily float, and dive too, no matter the weather. 

God created each creature with their habitat and natural habits and needs in mind, and provided for them in uniquely wonderful ways. I am living proof of his provision. I won't explain exactly what I mean, but suffice it to say, that what I have does not match up with what I have monetarily earned. I kind of live this life described in the story found in Kings:

2 Kings 4:1-7

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee: tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroard of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. 

So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. 

Be not anxious

How wonderful, how marvellous, is our God? He says not to worry or be anxious for anything, and this does not mean we ought to sit around and wait for food to fall fully cooked onto our plates, but what it does mean, is that when we live his will for us obediently, trusting that he knows exactly what we need, and when we need it, he will provide, and provide abundantly, as in a little bit of oil going a long, long way. 

I had this blog in mind a while ago ... it has been lounging in the closet of my mind, waiting to be aired. A most excellent friend prayed over me, and when she spoke about oil flowing in my life, filling and spilling over, abundant oil, I excitedly interrupted her in gratitude, sharing that I had this as a topic of writing waiting in the wings. I know, dear one, I know, what God has done for me and my family, that cannot be reckoned in an accountants book. God does not give what we deserve, he gives us far more, and beyond our wildest dreams. I cannot earn what he provides, and my wages are my reward from a gracious, merciful, provisional Father that holds back nothing from me. 

I am thankful, grateful, and sometimes stupefied at his generosity. I ask you, what do you have that you simply cannot take credit for? 

The little grey mouse

The fluffy grey coated mouse doesn't care that I went to Costco and bought almonds in a bag that were grown in California, picked there too, and shelled for me to enjoy however I please. The little grey mouse hasn't a clue how I made nut meal and he wasn't watching (at least, I don't think he was?) when I put the white blend on the step. He came a calling and there was a snack, waiting for him and some of his furry outdoor friends. Isn't that kind of funny, dear reader? Think with me ... food, just waiting ... without the critters making it themselves, or having to pay for it either. 

Oil, flowing, from one vessel into the next, and the next, and the next ... without growing olive trees, plucking the fruit, and grinding it to a slick. Did you know Jesus is referred to as the Good Olive? I like this very much.

I want you to know that I have figured out, that you and I cannot be more merciful than God. I want you to know that as far as grace goes, he has us beat by a landslide. We don't have to worry about animals feeding and clothing themselves in inclement weather. We don't have to be concerned that somehow they will not be shown the love that all creatures are given by the Sovereign Creator. We get to praise the Provider, the one that does all the behind the scenes work that somehow shows up as edible and wearable, for all his creatures!

Praise be to God, dear reader, because if we had to count on one another to provide our every need, we would fall short of the mark every time. This lovely doxology comes to mind; perhaps you know it, and will sing along?

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.