Stories to Grow By: God’s Provision with a Surprising Twist

I’ve always loved for things to match.

When my children were little, I made them matching outfits even as toddlers – two girls and a boy.

And then more than 15 years later when we adopted our two daughters from Ghana, I had not outgrown my desire for clothes to match. I even had matching dresses for them as well as a skirt for me. (See the photos included in the video.)

It’s a little quirk that God has put in me that I like for things to match.

That’s a little background for the “story to grow by” that I have today for you of God’s provision for me with a little twist that has to do with my quirkiness.

When we were packing up to go to Ghana for a four year term, I remember planning the supplies for my kitchen.

I bought a 2 quart saucepan, a 3 quart saucepan, a frying pan, and a pressure cooker. I figured those would take care of my cooking needs for our first term in Ghana.

But once we got there, I was frustrated that I didn’t have a small pot for boiling a few eggs or making some oatmeal for the baby. All I had for my smallest pot was this great big 2 quart saucepan!

I don’t remember praying about it per se.  I hope I did!

But does God even care about me having smaller saucepans when there are people out there who need food? (Answer: yes He does care!)

I would just make do with what I had.

We went on a trip to Accra and were visiting some of our missionary friends there.  I shared with the woman that I was frustrated that I didn’t have a smaller saucepan – that my smallest one was two quarts.

She said to me, “Oh Amy! I have two small sauce pans you can have. I don’t use them. They’re just pushed back at the back of my kitchen cupboard. Come on in. You can have them.”
I must say I followed her into the kitchen like a little puppy dog waiting to get a treat.

My friend pulled out her frequently-used sauce pans and set them out on the floor. Then she reached far into the back of her cupboard and pulled out two small sauce pans.

When I saw them, I gasped!

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The one and a half quart and the one quart sauce pans that she pulled out matched my set back home!

God’s provision is sometimes amazing!

He delights in giving us good gifts! And it is impossible to out-give God.

Was it important that my pots matched?

Of course not!

But God knew that I would like that.

As I thanked my friend profusely, she said to me, “Amy, they were meant for you.”

Indeed they were!

God meant them for me.

Don’t ever underestimate God’s provision for you.

Matthew 7:11 says “If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” (ESV)

Just like you enjoy giving good gifts to your children and those you love, God enjoys giving good gifts to you.

So ask Him for what you need this week and then watch for His surprise provision for you.

This story is included in my book African adventures with the Almighty Signature. You can check it out here. [affiliate link]

Here is another lesson in my “Stories to Grow By” series.