God Provides For Our Needs

[bluidkiti]

No matter how much careful planning we do, somehow we still seem to forget an item. Can you imagine traveling with nothing? Dependent on the generosity of others like the disciples were? Thankfully, in those moments of need we often find that someone steps in to help and in those moments of dependence there is so much opportunity for friendship, understanding and joy.

My three-year-old took swimming classes this spring. For his first class I went through my mental check list of everything that he and his little brother would need. I stuffed their diaper bag to the gills. After class, as my dripping wet son shivered before me, I realized I had forgotten his towel. Thankfully, a mom next to me shared her daughter's towel with me. Even though we had sat next to each other throughout the class, we had not talked. In that moment of sharing a towel, a friendship began.

Lord, help me to trust you to provide for my needs. Open my heart to the wonderful opportunities to share your love with others. Amen.

Jennifer Beil

Mark 6:1-13 (NRSV)

1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.
2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands!
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.
4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house."
5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.
6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.
7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts;
9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.
11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them."
12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.
13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.