Grateful for Provision

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way,  which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.  2 Corinthians 9:11

“Thank you, Holy Spirit,” is something we say all the time. Seriously, all the time. How can we not? God is so good to you and not because He gives you gifts as a loving Father, but because loving you as the Father is His greatest gift. When is the last time you showed gratitude to God for His gift of provision?

Some people limit their understanding of provision to bills being paid or their ability to buy a new car. While that is definitely within God’s ability to provide, zeroing your focus or desires on the materialistic as a measuring stick of God’s loving provision is not showing gratitude. If you see God as your sugar daddy or a genie in a lamp, then you may not know God at all. If the extent of your gratitude is based upon the last time God bailed you out of something sin led you into, then that’s a performance-based relationship. It’s also super toxic. 

Once you intentionally choose an attitude of gratitude, you’ll see the marvel of God’s consistent stream of provision. Years ago, I began asking the Holy Spirit to show me what I called tangible bites of spiritual fruit. I wasn’t testing God, but in that season, I needed to place my hands in the nail-scarred palms of Jesus. Daily gifts began to come my way. It was a conversation with a stranger, an encouraging message and then the big blessing of provision began. A front space parking spot. 

Yep, you heard that right. One day as I looked for a parking space, there it was right in the front of the store I was heading into. I laughed and said, “Thank you, Holy Spirit.” Over the next year everywhere I went, there was always a front parking space waiting for me. I know it’s not like cash in the bank, but it was a tangible provision God was using to show me that He loved me so much that He was saving that spot just for His son. 

My gratitude for His provision spilled over to my wife, Leah once I explained it to her after cheering “Thank you, Holy Spirit.” Soon, she began cheering for the open parking spaces no matter where we went. We shared our sincere gratitude for God’s provision with our kids who also began shouting out praise and gratitude. They quickly declared open spaces and expected front space parking because they knew God was also enjoying the gift of providing provision. 

It became so well-known that our pastor and the congregation began sharing the story as an example of gratitude for God’s loving provision. Nowadays, I drive past the open spaces because I know there’s someone else who needs the tangible blessing of evidence that God does indeed provide for our needs. I always pray they too cheer, “Thank you, Holy Spirit,” in the excitement of their gratitude for God’s provision. 

Showing Gratitude:

Show gratitude for God’s provision by intentionally naming everything you experience throughout each day that is directly related to God’s gift-giving. That would include everything from God providing you with the gift of life to possibly the front space parking spot you just drove by. 

Call To Action:

I pray you have been blessed by these truths about gratitude. Let’s stay in touch as you walk through this journey of life. CLICK HERE  to connect.