Many years ago, when I was first learning how to walk in faith, I was reading everything that I could get my hands on about my new life with Jesus Christ. I was so hungry for information and guidance. I also found it comforting and healing. One of the books I loved to read was a little book called Our Daily Bread. I couldn’t wait until the next issue would come out. It was a tiny little book only 4 inches long with short true, uplifting and inspiring stories. It’s still being published today. One story that I read stuck with me throughout all these years.
The story was about a lady that was a missionary in a remote area in Africa that was hard to get in and out of. She lived alone amongst a small tribe of people. Every week she had to rely on an old man to bring her supplies from a far off village. One week the man never came and she began to worry about what might have happen to him. She waited and prayed for days. Then days turned into weeks but no sign of the man. Eventually the woman became very ill and called out to God in desperation.
“Dear heavenly Father, I don’t understand why this has happened. Am I not here to do your work? Have I not done your will? Why God have you left me here with no food or supplies? All that is left of my rations is a small bag of oats that I’m about to run out of. I am hungry Lord and grow weaker as each day passes”.
Some time had passed when the woman was found in her hut hanging on to life, barely able to speak. The man who delivered her supplies had been delayed by a mud slid. She was taken to a hospital several miles away where she received the medical care she needed. The woman explain to the doctor that she had gotten sick because she hadn’t eaten anything but a small amount of oats for weeks. She then told the doctor she couldn’t understand why God had forgotten about her.
The Doctor then explained to her that the reason she was still alive was because she only had oats to eat. You see ma’am, you were sick with a disease that would have killed you if it weren’t for the oats in your stomach. The virus was starved and your stomach was shielded. I’d have to say that God was protecting you.
I have remembered that story all these years as a reminder that there is a reason for everything even if we can’t see it or understand why. Maybe I couldn’t find my car keys because I was delayed for a reason or maybe I didn’t get that job because I’m supposed to be somewhere else.
Well you get the idea. The story taught me to be grateful and trust that God is always looking out for me even when it feels like I’m alone, He is working behind the scenes. I have learned a lot over the years and to always trust that God’s got this too.
Love Holly,
