the stopping place of relentless
need-meeting
If you are currently, or have ever been, a parent of little kids, you know the sound of constant neediness. Whether it be discipline, teaching, provision, attention or care for the details of the home… relentless need-meeting requires is own kind of endurance.
I will venture to say, however, that the early years of parenthood isn't the only season this is the case. No matter your relationship status, field of occupation, extracurricular activities, there are needs you encounter… in yourself, from others, from life. Yes?
Being that I am smack in the middle of the ‘loud and repetitive and wild and wonderful’ way of baby and toddler life, this is the experience I speak from today.
The cost of loving well, of being present to my girls, is high.
And It. Can. Be. Wearying.
On any level – mental, emotional or physical.
Who is God for me, here?
He's the manna-for-the-moment-giving God.
The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin. “Oh, that we were back in Egypt,” they moaned, “and that the Lord had killed us there! For there we had plenty to eat. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to kill us with starvation.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for them. Everyone can go out each day and gather as much food as he needs."
“I have heard their complaints. Tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat and in the morning you will be stuffed with bread, and you shall know that I am Jehovah your God.’”
So the people of Israel went out and gathered it—some getting more and some less before it melted on the ground, and there was just enough for everyone. Those who gathered more had nothing left over and those who gathered little had no lack! Each home had just enough.
In seasons where something is always seeming to be asked of us, it can feel like wilderness. Dry, tiring, lacking.
I can relate to the Israelites in their physical hunger with my capacity-hunger. Maybe in the face of the relentless needs of your job or marriage or health or commitments or family you feel like you're a touch (or full-blown) energy-starving.
He gives manna for your moment. Admit what you need in the current moment and receive it from Him. Not for the next few hours, not for the next few days or weeks, but for the current moment and current need.
He is a God who sees, knows and provides, and it's still true even when it seems like it's just enough.
