He meets our needs

I've been spending time this week pondering Philippians 4:19:

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

This verse is a promise that follows an account of faithful stewardship. Commonly, this verse is taking out of context and I don't wish to do that here. I want to recount an encounter where this verse came to mind but not for financial needs only. Upon reading God's word, we know this verse applies to all our needs because we see the true nature of His character throughout the Bible. But if we back up and read all of Philippians 4, we also see the importance of not squandering our resources on ourselves with seldom a thought for Kingdom Work. God's Philippians 4:19 promise is about God's people, who are faithful and devoted in giving to Christ, never suffering lack (little disclaimer and a back drop for the next blog).

A couple months ago, I found myself -- reclined back, eyes closed, and (characteristically for me) with my ankles crossed in slight apprehension -- waiting for my biannual teeth cleaning. I was happy to be in the quietness of the dental office for a simple cleaning (happy because it was a cleaning and not a root canal). My husband was home that day (unusual) and kept the children (typically all four children sit in the waiting room with their school books, while I pray they are being peaceful readers). This particular visit, my dental hygienist decided I looked too relaxed and she began to pour out her life woes. She wasn't emotional and spoke in rather factual phrases with the slight hint of disappointment. As I awkwardly gazed up her nostrils, she held her tools to the right and left of my face, pouring out the aches of her heart. She shared with me the details leading up to her not-so-recent divorce after being married 20+ years. I'm trying to remember the many specifics but they are blurry... the main theme of her complaint was her husband wasn't everything she needed him to be and vise versa.

I realized if I didn't interject (not the easiest thing to manage with one's mouth wide open), we were not going to progress onto any other topics...or my cleaning. Unfortunately, she couldn't talk and clean at the same time. So I gave my paraphrased Philippians 4:19 response: God is the only one who can be all we need. I'll never forget the shock on her face! Wide green eyes --- Deep aging furrow --- A slight tilt of the head ---Tools lowered to her waist --- "WHAT?" she said, "I believe in God. I read my Bible, but I've never thought of God like that. Tell me what you mean by that." So in my feeble attempts to be "ready at all times to give an answer," I continued to tell her how Jesus is our Friend, Father, Lover, Guide, Healer, Forgiver, Provider, etc. And she responded, "But I need to be held!" He can't do all these things for me. I know He made the universe and is in control but certainly He can't be what I need in a husband."

It was at this point, still staring into her nares, that I realized this divine appointment. My kids were at home and I was CAPTIVE in her chair. God was asking me to share His true nature with her. Acknowledging her desire for earthly love and affection, we continued our conversation about our Loving-Kind Father and all I could do was assure her that Jesus has been that for me and others and He wanted to "hold" her, too. He is far more than our Creator. I assured her that I cannot expect my husband to be everything for me. He is human and I definitely don't want someone counting on me to be all that for them; I'll fail every time. We can't change our spouse to be or meet all we need but we can trust God for it and pray for those earthly affections/behaviors/understanding that we need from them to develop.

Obviously, we had to end our divine appointment (by the way, that was the longest and most painful cleaning I had, as her aggression and frustration over these new thoughts were ever present in the tenseness of her fingers as she scraped my teeth with vigor (My teeth never felt slicker). I apologize if you were the next appointment because we were back there a good HOUR. She walked me to the checkout counter, threw her arms around me, and thanked me for giving her Philippians 4:19 to ponder. I believe she meant it. I pray she finds it!

What does Philippians 4:19 mean to you today? I have seen him meet some specific needs in accordance for our mission trip that I think (I say think b/c I 'knew' I would need to organize the plan) I was trusting Him for. It is evident that God wants me to KNOW that Philippians 4:19 means He meets those needs without my help....and I hope to share, next, how Jehovah Jireh has rewarded faithfulness and trust in our journey, not just for us but for others God is using to partner with us!