Soup Bucket Set

Jennie came to our home when we were doing work out of our back garage nearly seven years ago looking for a job working for a production pottery. At the time we didn’t think that we could keep her busy so we told her that we didn’t have any work for her. Fortunately, we kept her name and phone number, and when we really did get busy a month later, we called her and asked her to come to work. Far, far more than just an employee, Jennie is a delight to have around, has a work ethic that is hard to keep up with, manages to keep many, many things going and organized simultaneously, and her giftedness in throwing pottery and creating beautiful new designs has greatly enhanced our work.

“Two things I ask of you, O Lord;  do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ” Who is the Lord?’  Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

God has seen our business through many, many hard times, but He has always provided for our needs.  When there was only our family to feed and care for, He provided the small amount that we needed, faithfully.  Sometimes a person would call and come  over to the house and buy enough pottery to pay the power bill, or a few days’ worth of groceries.  Now that we have a “real” store and ten plus employees, God still provides in heart-stopping increments, usually commiserate with an upcoming payroll.

I struggle to trust His provision even though I, for thirty years, have watched Him put into our hands all that we needed.  Sometimes I wish that I didn’t have to do the day-by-day trust exercise, but that He would just fill up the coffers, put enough in the bank to pay off our mortgage, and leave enough of a cushion to relax.  Then I read the reminder in Proverbs that it is for my good that God provides  “This day our daily bread”.  What an amazing system!  He gives as I have need, and I gain not just my sustenance, but increased faith in His care for me.