When I was a kid camping with my family at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, I always looked forward to going to the park store and buying Creamsicles. You know, the orange popsicle sort of thing with ice cream in the middle. I loved them! Eventually, though, that fad passed, and I did not think about Creamsicles again.
About a month ago, my family was, once again, at Buffalo Pound and as we wandered into the store, I wondered, “Do they even make Creamsicles anymore?” The answer: Yes, they do! And they are as good as I remembered.
Interestingly, though I have not bought a Creamsicle for more than forty years, someone somewhere continued making them and when I finally decided I wanted one again, it was ready and waiting for me.
This incident made me think about how God is always providing what I need. Even when I am completely unaware of it and do not understand, he cares for me and is working behind the scenes preparing for my future.
And here is the best part. 2 Timothy 1:9 reminds us that, “(God) has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time”. Underline the “not because of anything we have done” part. Everything happens simply because God is gracious to us!
I need this reminder because I often act as if I am in charge of everything and that I have earned every good thing that I have. However, I have been given much more than I deserve. I have always been looked after. I have received the answers that I needed at just the right time. Even things that looked bad initially often turned out to be for my good.
It is good to remember that we are not alone. God is near. He knows and loves us.
God is gracious and he provides.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
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