Our Daily Bread....

Luke 11:2
"Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, they will be done... on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power,and  the glory forever , Amen!

We are instructed to pray using this prayer as a template...Today the line that stands out the most to me is "Give us this day our daily bread..."  God provides us our daily bread...he provides just what we need for the day.  The bread that God provides is actual food, as well as spiritual food, and I believe it includes provision in general. 

Today on North First Street we had so many examples of God providing our daily bread.  Today was desperation Sunday...the last Sunday of the month when the physical needs are generally the largest.  This week was no different.  There were 30-40 people lined up before we even pulled into the lot.  We estimate between 250 and 300 people today showed up hungry and cold.  Thankfully the food this week was provided by one of the 7 Yakima Ward's.  This wonderful group of people brought pan after pan of spaghetti noodle casserole, rolls, and more.  Other volunteers brought rice dishes, beans, and desserts.  There were bananas, apples, and oranges as well as hot coco and coffee.  Wow!! talk about God's mighty provision!!  Cash and Carry donated some wonderful pastrami which made some amazing hot pastrami sandwiches to help people last through the week.  On this day...God gave us our daily bread.

As people moved through the food line, I talked to various people.  One paticular man didn't look very well.  I reached up and steadied his arm just as he started to have a seizure.  A man by me helped steady him just as he started to fall.  He lost consciousness for about 15-20 seconds which was a bit scary.  We held him up and carried him over to a chair while someone else dialed 911.  Within no time the medics arrived and began caring for him.  The man didn't want to go to the hospital, but Keith was able to talk to him and convince him that Keith could be trusted with his bicycle until he was released from the hospital.  The man was only 53, I thought he was much older.  He lives down by the river and has had the flu for the last few days.   Thankfully God provided for this man....there were around him to catch him before he fell, people with cell phones to call for help, and blankets on hand to keep him warm until help arrived....God's daily bread....

God's daily bread included enough food and clothes for those around us.  The previous blog shared about a woman named Rosa from last week.  God's further grace was shown in the rest of the story....Rosa said that this last week she went to visit her mom and for the first time in many many years she was able to talk with her without crazy drama.  She actually had some reconcilliation and she asked for prayer again before she left.  That is so huge for this woman!! 

Today I was overcome with gratitude towards all of the people who came out today to help.  It made it run so smoothly!  I was also overcome by appreciation for the relationships that have formed between the volunteers and our homeless friends.  There was a difference today...people were joyful, thankful, and I had more homeless people tell me "Thank you and God bless you through your week."  These are people who I have never heard reference God... Little by little as God provides all of our daily bread...layers are being peeled off, hearts are softening, people are reaching out to each other.

This blog is so short... but it is because I am way too tired.  I will try again tomorrow, but to be honest... I am wiped.  I pray that all who have taken the time to read this have an awesome week!  I pray that God provides you your daily bread each and every day.  I pray that you lean on God more and more each day and that you say, "yes" to whatever He is urging you to do... step out....live by giving....and love more each and every day!!!

Thank You God for your daily bread...every single day you are more than enough!!! Thank you Jesus!!!