Thursday Thoughts - Providing What We Cannot

A store manager overheard a clerk saying to a customer, "No, ma'am, we
haven't had any for some weeks now, and it doesn't look as if we'll be getting
any soon."

Alarmed, the manager rushed over to the customer who was walking out the
door and said, "That isn't true, ma'am. Of course, we'll have some soon. In
fact, we placed an order for it a couple of weeks ago."

Then the manager drew the clerk aside and growled, "Never, never, never,
never say we don't have something. If we don't have it, say we ordered it and
it's on its way. Now, what was it she wanted?"

"Rain."

As much as we'd like to think that we can provide everything that others
might need, the truth is we cannot. There are some things only God can provide.

Maybe you've been in one of those situations lately. Perhaps you have a
family member who has been going through a serious illness. Or maybe you have a
child away at college who is experiencing some trials and is feeling very alone.
Or maybe you have a friend who is going through some tough times in her
marriage.

There are some small things you can do to help, but ultimately you feel
helpless because you can't provide what they really need. And so you pray to
God, because there are some things only God can provide. We sometimes make the
mistake of thinking, "That's the least I can do." No, that's the most we can
do. We have a God who can provide what we cannot. Keep that in mind today if
you're feeling inadequate to meet the needs of everyone around you.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask
or think, according to the power that works in us...." (Eph. 3:20).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina