Why #2
An Elegant Sufficiency
My God shall supply all you need according to His riches in glory
Philippians 4:19 --Paul
Philippians 4:19 --Paul
Years ago, when our extended family gathered around the table, which was often, we had sweet fellowship, feasting and sharing. And though, like most families who honestly admit a bit of dysfunctionality, we loved each other. And we still do. And so the six children with their spouses, and all their children, grandchildren -- and later great grandchildren--would feast together and enjoy the time together. On birthdays and holidays we would have uncles, aunts, cousins and maybe a few friends show up. Everyone who came to Charlie and Peggy McGowen's home was always welcome. They were family for the day.
The experience always opened with prayer, and then after becoming "full up to burst," we would sit back, and one of us Alabama southern gents or ladies would burp boisterously. The emotional response was interesting to say the least. Most everyone would laugh; BUT, I would be remiss if I did not tell you that this gaseous expression coming out of someone's oral cavity was frowned upon by our British Mum. We knew it quite well; however, she also had a way of saying things in a unique way that clearly told us how she was doing from a positive frame of reference as well. Once we had fed sumptuously, she would look satisfied. This same women who coined being "full up to burst," would say, "I have had an elegant sufficiency." Then she would smile and seem very pleased to have her big family surrounding her.
This is not to say that Dad and she did not have their challenges. They married while Dad was stationed overseas during WW2, and even had a child during that time. Given I have had a little taste of war, I cannot imagine what they felt like after VE day. Then there was the challenge of Dad coming back to the states and figuring out how to get Mum and our eldest sister here via a ship. It did happen. Years past. Six children came along, and that was no small task. Keeping eight people fed, clothed, sheltered healthy and protected had to be one whale of a challenge. Whether or not the years were lean or plentiful, we kids did not know. But we knew our parents were people of faith, and that they trusted God.
Once Dad became active in our local church community, Mum and he supported the local Methodist Church with their prayers, presence and treasure. They even helped their generation build and entirely new church. I have led in the building of a church, and I can tell you that doing so is NOT easy, but they got it done. My cousin married first in that church, and then TLOML and I second. We benefited from their faith more than we could ever know, as have others: The word of God has literally been preached to far reaching areas of the world by Men of God and their descendants who came up in that little church.
Today as I sit here an old man, relatively speaking, there is one thing I learned for sure that Christ-Followers, who seek first the Kingdom of righteousness, must surely know. It is a belief that will sustain you through the good times and bad times. We know that when people might ask "Why should we worry about our needs?" They are asking an irrelevant question. WHY? I will tell you why. There is one thing you can surely count on: Our God will supply ALL our needs according to His riches in glory. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and you will discover an "elegant sufficiency."
The experience always opened with prayer, and then after becoming "full up to burst," we would sit back, and one of us Alabama southern gents or ladies would burp boisterously. The emotional response was interesting to say the least. Most everyone would laugh; BUT, I would be remiss if I did not tell you that this gaseous expression coming out of someone's oral cavity was frowned upon by our British Mum. We knew it quite well; however, she also had a way of saying things in a unique way that clearly told us how she was doing from a positive frame of reference as well. Once we had fed sumptuously, she would look satisfied. This same women who coined being "full up to burst," would say, "I have had an elegant sufficiency." Then she would smile and seem very pleased to have her big family surrounding her.
This is not to say that Dad and she did not have their challenges. They married while Dad was stationed overseas during WW2, and even had a child during that time. Given I have had a little taste of war, I cannot imagine what they felt like after VE day. Then there was the challenge of Dad coming back to the states and figuring out how to get Mum and our eldest sister here via a ship. It did happen. Years past. Six children came along, and that was no small task. Keeping eight people fed, clothed, sheltered healthy and protected had to be one whale of a challenge. Whether or not the years were lean or plentiful, we kids did not know. But we knew our parents were people of faith, and that they trusted God.
Once Dad became active in our local church community, Mum and he supported the local Methodist Church with their prayers, presence and treasure. They even helped their generation build and entirely new church. I have led in the building of a church, and I can tell you that doing so is NOT easy, but they got it done. My cousin married first in that church, and then TLOML and I second. We benefited from their faith more than we could ever know, as have others: The word of God has literally been preached to far reaching areas of the world by Men of God and their descendants who came up in that little church.
Today as I sit here an old man, relatively speaking, there is one thing I learned for sure that Christ-Followers, who seek first the Kingdom of righteousness, must surely know. It is a belief that will sustain you through the good times and bad times. We know that when people might ask "Why should we worry about our needs?" They are asking an irrelevant question. WHY? I will tell you why. There is one thing you can surely count on: Our God will supply ALL our needs according to His riches in glory. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and you will discover an "elegant sufficiency."
SoJourner
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