I had made a promise that was about to be broken. I needed cupcakes in two hours, and there was not one single cake mix in my cabinets. The local grocery store was closed, so I couldn’t even go buy some already made. I frantically grabbed my Betty Crocker cookbook and began searching for a simple cake recipe with few ingredients. I quickly found a recipe that looked promising and began gathering ingredients.
Immediately I ran into what could be problem ingredients. I needed ½ cup of shortening. When I pulled it out of the cabinet, I found exactly half a cup. Then I found an almost empty can of baking powder which held only the amount required. Next was three eggs, and you guessed it, I had exactly three eggs. Finally, I needed one cup of milk and actually had a small amount remaining which was just enough to make the icing! I didn’t have the cake mix I wanted, but found that I had every ingredient necessary for homemade cupcakes.
I find great comfort in these little reminders from God that He actively provides for us. Not in the haphazard way that I stock my kitchen cabinets, but in a steadfast manner. The challenge is often in what we perceive as a need.
We need more time. We need new shoes. We need our kids to listen. We need more money. We need a better marriage. We need healing. As badly as we want these things, we must ask, “Is it truly a need or is it actually something we want?”
Maybe when it seems our needs aren’t being met, it’s because God is giving us the opportunity to trust Him to provide the things that we truly need. Many times I have prayed for God to provide a particular need in my life, and I never saw that need met. But He saw things differently and provided exactly what I needed rather than what I simply wanted. Then there have been times when God provided things that I didn’t expect, but I didn’t realize it was just what I needed at the time. Even though I don’t always get what I want, I know that He always provides what I need!
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
If you feel as if God isn’t meeting all your needs, remember you can trust Him to provide because He loves you. Luke 12:24 says, “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
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Thank you for sharing the cupcake story, Tresa. What a delightful reminder of God’s provision–not always in ways we expect.
Sometimes it seems God withholds certain “gifts” because he’s answering other prayers. For example, I may pray for rescue from some trial; God chooses to answer my prayers for learning contentment in spite of circumstances, and keeping his ways when I don’t feel like it–other desires of my heart. I have to remind myself: I am weak and finite; I cannot see what God is doing. And, as you pointed out, God sees things differently–from a holy, beginning-to-end perspective! How dare I try to be his advisor (Romans 11:34)?! All I can do is trust.
A very meaningful post, Tresa!
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