The One Who Sustains You

This fall our two oldest girls came home from the school carnival with goldfish. They named them Goldie and Bubbly. Our first pets!

I (unintentionally) killed Goldie about two weeks later. But Bubbly is still going strong.

To be honest, I have no idea how he is surviving. I’m not sure how often he gets fed. And I know I should change his water more often than I do. But somehow our poor attempt at caring for him is still enough to sustain him.

Oh how glad I am that this is not how God cares for us!

First of all – God knit you together and knows the most personal things about your thoughts and personality. (I don’t even know if Bubbly really is a “he”.)

Second – God provides your every need. He not only gives you the physical things you need for each day. He also meets your emotional, mental and spiritual needs moment by moment. Offering things like grace, peace, patience, and self-control.

Third – God sustains you, not out of guilt or a sense of begrudging obligation (sorry Bubbly…) – but out of a deep and abiding love for you.

I know it’s Valentine’s Day and a lot of writers are probably talking about that on their blogs. Whether it’s God’s love for you, or how we are to love others, or giving tips for loving your spouse and kids, etc.

But my week was a little nuts and I know that I’m not the only one waking up today wondering how on earth am I going to make it through today? Forget all the Valentine stuff – I don’t know if I can do the regular daily stuff.

Since I am devoid of any Valentine advice or “how-to” tips, I just want to share two verses that have been encouraging to me this week. Read them slowly and notice all the things God WILL do. God always keeps his promises – so there is comfort and assurance in each of these “he will” statements:

” Cast your burden on the Lord,
    and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
    the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 55:22

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

1 Peter 5:10

No matter what you are walking through right now – God promises to sustain you, restore you, strengthen you, and keep you on a firm and steady ground. Hallelujah!

I pray that these promises fill you up more than any Valentine’s goodies you get today.

And now I’m going to feed Bubbly before I forget… 🙂

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Marissa