Monday, February 20, 2012

The Pantry


The Pantry
By Carol Condon
carolcondon.blogspot.com

The list was filling up with all the “Hey, Mom, we need some more pop tarts” and “I’m out of shower gel.” Each one was taking their turn in filling up the shopping list, which eventually would fill up my shopping cart. As younger children their requests would be general. They would ask for fruit snacks, and I would pick up some for them. As the shopping bags were emptied and placed onto the proper shelves in the pantry they would become so excited when they saw the fruit snack box added to the weekly supplies. Presently, as growing teen-agers and young adults they will ask for fruit snacks, but not just any fruit snacks. They want the ones from Target. They quickly ask me if I know which ones they mean because they are their favorite. What is a Mom to do with that request? If I think hard enough I can come up with a reason to head to the local Target and fill this simple request.

The pantry is where our provisions are stored. When someone in our home is in need or in want of something they will go there and see what is available. Many times they do not know what they are looking for. All they do know is that they are looking for something and hopefully they will see something there that will fill their need or even their want.

How many times do we as Christian go to our Lord for a need or even a want? He has a “Pantry” stocked and ready for each one of us. All we have to do is go to His Word and anything and everything that we need is found there. If we need something specific then all we have to do is to simply ask and He will supply. As I pick up His Word I may not even know what I am looking for but as I enter His Pages I quickly find exactly what I need. Do you have time to search “His Pantry” today? He has already completed His shopping and is ready for you.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Waiting Room







The Waiting Room
Carol Condon
carolcondon.blogspot.com


It seemed quite typical for me that I was rushing around in an attempt to be prompt for my upcoming appointment. It didn’t matter how early I started my day I managed to get caught up in a task that had me scurrying to make my scheduled meeting. I rushed into the building and signed in for my appointment feeling quite accomplished that I made it on time. As I glanced around the room for a place to sit, I noticed that the room was already full of people patiently and impatiently waiting. How could we all be there at the same time for the same thing? The chance of me being called upon at the time I was scheduled for was not looking possible. I pulled out a magazine in an attempt to relax and settled in for what looked to be quite a wait.

Children were crying, cell phones were vibrating begging to be answered, text messages were being sent to alert the caller that their call could not be answered at this time. Normal activities seemed to be forced to a stop during this waiting process that seemingly did not have a way to be hurried along. The impatient ones would approach the receptionist asking, “how much longer?” but they were not getting the answer they were looking for. They were asked to take a seat and to simply wait their turn.

How many times have we been ushered into “The Waiting Room” when we feel completely prepared to march straight into our destiny? We pray and ask Him to order our steps and our stops; however, when He puts up the stop sign and directs us to the waiting room we are not always happy with the unexpected delay. It is not long before we begin asking, “How much longer?” We receive silence in return signaling us that we are to wait.

Once we put our own agendas aside and trust in Him completely, the waiting is not so difficult. Take a moment today to stop and simply rest in Him. He will encourage and strengthen you before sending you back on your way.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27:14