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All Your Needs


Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Philippians 4:15-20) 

      Almost three years ago, I made a tough decision. I have friends who have faced tough decisions. I have a great niece who is facing a tough decision and another the consequences of a tough decision. Tough decisions often result in other tough decisions. Somewhere along the line, there are needs involved. There are times of recrimination and regret, there’s a lot of exhaustion, and far too little reward. Friends and family members are known to mysteriously disappear – not always, sometimes they rally around like soldiers, and sometimes they can’t help – but some disappear. 
         And sometimes, you wish they’d disappear. I don’t know how many times I’ve been told how to handle the situation with Dad. Some think I should put him in a home. Some think I should be able to get someone to come in to help. The books all tell that I’m supposed to be able to live my own life and of course, somehow have the funds to hire a respite caregiver – because, of course, I have needs, too. 
         They’re right, of course. I have needs, too. So do my great nieces, and my friends and family. As I said yesterday, I’m feeling hemmed in by those decisions, closed off. It’s not that friends and family have abandoned me, but that I am cut off from them. And the reason that is OK is because God is good. 
         I found myself caught between “You need to take care of yourself,” (the world’s view) and “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (The Bible’s view.) I am not consistent. I know I need to take better care of myself but yesterday morning and this morning I am dealing with being hemmed in, and the reality is that God can meet my needs, perhaps in ways I haven’t considered yet. Since He has hemmed me in, or is hemming me in, then this is the promise available to me. God can meet all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Somehow, God will meet all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I won’t know how He’ll do it, but I suspect now’s the time to stand and watch and see the salvation He brings. It’s time to say, “OK, God, do Your God thing.”

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