Before I was born, my brother, Dale was sent to spend time with Uncle Clifford and Aunt Betty in Arizona where Uncle Clifford was a pastor. The Rouses had three boys, so it was a fun time for Dale. But, when Sabbath came, Dale realized he hadn’t brought any shoes. He told Uncle Clifford he couldn’t go to church because he didn’t have any shoes. Uncle Clifford said, “Anybody who stays at my house comes to church!” Imagine the smile Dale had when he saw his cousin, David get into the family car with all his Sabbath clothes on except he was also barefoot.
Last Sabbath, I was wondering who would go barefoot with me to church. We were getting ready to attend Dale’s son’s church. Pastor Lynn had suddenly passed away a few months ago and I was supposed to speak at his memorial service that afternoon. I couldn’t find my dress shoes. I looked all through my bags. No shoes. I looked all through the car. No shoes. So, I looked through everything again. No shoes. Joan finally asked, “Where was the last place you saw them?”
“Yesterday afternoon when we were unloading the car.”
So, I went through everything again and even looked at places they wouldn’t be. As I was finishing the third time going through the car, I thought of Joan’s words, “Where was the last place you saw them?” I looked up on the roof of the car, and there they were.
So often, the solutions to our problems are very simple. When we finally figure them out, we wonder why it took so long. The text I’m thinking about is Philippians 4:19,
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
So often, we allow our problems to become greater than they should be. What we really should be doing is placing our trust in God’s provision.
Philippians 4:19 is a promise we can put on and walk in, don’t you think!
Pastor John Bryson