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Thinking


 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-4) 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) 

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 4:19) 

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13) 

          Today (yesterday by the time you read it) is one of those days that I usually count as the beginning of a year. I have lots of beginnings of years: January 1, when I return to Erie, April 27, when school starts, when I return to Zephyrhills. I usually approach these times when the plan to set goals, and more often than not, if they are set, that’s the end of it. I have set a few to begin today, most of them the standards of getting healthy and fit, doing all the things I feel guilty for not doing and not doing the things that aren’t good for me, reading a lot and writing even more…you know the drill. 
         This morning on my walk, however, I found myself thinking about the past couple years. There are a few verses that have been hanging around, maybe even stalking me. I can’t get away from them. The verse from Genesis walked into my life in fall, 2015. I think the Luke verse, which I connect with the phrase “bow the knee” showed up the spring of 2017. 
         The idea that God will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus peeked at me in 2016 but has been showing up a lot in the last four months. Recently, it started bringing a partner, the idea that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 
          Sometimes, it’s easy to be flip and acquisitive about the needs meeting and doing all things ideas, but my hold on them is desperation. I keep being told that I need to find a helper in my care for Dad, and that 75% of caregivers die before the person they’re caring for, so I have to take care of myself and meet my own needs, etc. It’s tempting to be depressed. When we’re going through a crisis, it’s hard. But, God says…
          And in little ways (so far as I’ve noticed) God has been providing for my needs. Yesterday, I got two patterns that I wanted for next to nothing. A friend has told me about a store where I might be able to find fabric at good prices. The past two times I’ve gone birding, I’ve encountered birds I have not photographed before, and last night, some of the photos were nice. 
          While the first two passages speak to me of challenges I’m afraid to face, the last two give me hope. When I remember them, I look forward to seeing how  God will provide.

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