More Than Enough

by Mary Southerland | | 4 comments

Friend to Friend

How much is enough? How much money do we have to make to be contented or to feel financially secure? How much “stuff” do we have to own to consider ourselves a success? How much is enough?

I grew up in Texas where we lived in what some might call a “shack” on the edge of a small town. To me, it was just home. My amazing mother often worked three jobs to make ends meet but that “meeting” did not always happen. Looking back, I can honestly say that God always provided what we needed – when we needed it. He still does.

My husband and I knew the finances would be tight one month and had planned accordingly … or so we thought. What we did not expect was for the brakes to go out on one of our cars or plan a trip to the emergency room or anticipate the abnormally high electric bill. The cost of groceries suggested that we fast for a while and the price of gasoline skyrocketed. I know you can relate. It is called life.

After many years of serving God, you would think I would know and walk in the truth that God is our source and provides everything we need – when we need it. Oh, no! I panicked! A frantic search for some solution to our financial problems ensued. In the midst of that panic, I suddenly remembered the mail. Interesting timing – right?

I had not checked our mailbox in three days and knew the box would be crammed full. When I unlocked the mailbox, a pile of newspapers, envelopes, magazines, bills and cards spilled into my hands and onto the ground. The mailman had also left me a key to the larger mailbox below that was usually reserved for packages. It was full of mail as well. I cleared off the kitchen table where I began sorting through the mound of paper, discarding all of the junk mail and organizing the rest.

And then I saw it – an envelope that seemed to stand out from the rest of the mail.

I slowly opened the envelope. The return address told me it was from the Women’s Ministry Director of a church where I had spoken several months before. One of my best friends was a member of the church, and I had offered to speak for an event that I hoped would encourage her as well as each woman who attended. I did not ask for or expect an honorarium, but as I slowly opened the envelope, I saw a check written for the exact amount that would meet our financial needs for the week.

I fell into a chair and began to pray, asking God to forgive my lack of faith and my choice to worry instead of trusting Him. I marveled in the knowledge that the check had been written long before the need became evident to me. In other words, God met our need before we even knew we had a need.

By the way, I am a mail freak and have been for most of my life. I check the mail every single day without fail. Not this week! God knew I needed a reminder of His faithfulness, and He knew exactly when I needed it.

God’s love is not a shallow love that always rescues easily or quickly. God loves us enough to walk with us through the fiery times that make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are very different from our thoughts.

God’s process is flawless, and His timing is perfect. He is our Holy God – good and merciful and compassionate.

Without God, I am nothing. But His love changes me … it changes everything. As the old hymn says, the things of this world really do grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. And He is more than enough.

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to thank You for meeting the needs in my life in Your perfect timing. Forgive me when I fail to trust You and allow worry to steal my joy. I want to be patient and learn how to wait on You to work in my life. Your faithfulness sustains me and Your mercy blesses my life. I praise You, God!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Psalm 104:13-15. How does this passage of Scripture encourage you to trust God in every area of your life?

What need in your life is a source of fear and uncertainty? Right now, surrender that need to God and praise Him for meeting it.

More from the Girlfriends

Does your heart long for something more in life? Have you ever wondered what the secret of a contented life really is? To answer that question, Mary examined the life of Paul, a man who had every reason to be discontented.

Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison where he was awaiting trial and facing possible execution. Paul was alone. He had been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and ridiculed. His health was bad, and he was almost blind. But through the darkness of his pain, Paul joyfully exclaimed, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” How? Mary’s E-Study, The Secret of Contentment, is a five-week study that answers that question with six steps you can take to live a life of purpose and power.

Be sure to check out the FREEBIES on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.