Jehovah Jireh

This is one of the names used for God in the Old Testament. Literally, it means, “The Lord who will provide.”

One of my favorite passages of Scripture comes from Luke: “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink…Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:4-6, 10, NIV)

The best thing about this story is that God provided the answer before Simon (later called Peter) even knew there was a need! Think about it – Jesus is going to ask Peter to follow him, meaning that he would be leaving his family for a time – which turned out to be about three years. Peter had a responsibility to take care of his family – something he wouldn’t be able to do while he was travelling with Jesus. So Jesus provided the means, before He even asked Peter to leave everything.

Now, most people know a fisherman – and most fishermen are really good at telling stories about the fish they caught, or the “one that got away.” But Luke, the author of this booked named after him, was a physician. He spent a great deal of time checking facts and writing down the story as accurately as possible. I’m sure it was not just a “fisherman’s tale” when he said that both boats were so full they began to sink! What a catch. The fish could have been dried for personal use, or sold in the market for money. I don’t know what Peter’s wife must have thought when he described such a big catch, but then when he said he was going to travel with Jesus for an unspecified amount of time, there must have been some relief that provisions had been made.

I have been most blessed during my journey. At every stage, at every need, God has provided – using dear friends to give me clothes. I would estimate that about 98% of my wardrobe right now is hand-me-downs, and I love wearing the new-to-me clothes! Last night, I received another very large bag full of jeans, t-shirts, dresses, and shoes from one friend, and three beautiful pantsuits from another friend. And sometimes, God provides more than the things we need; sometimes He gives us the desires of our hearts. That happened for me last night, because in the bag, mixed in with the shoes, was a pair of cowboy boots. I know it sounds silly, but I have wanted a pair of boots FOREVER! I’ve told my husband that I wanted to save up and buy a pair, as soon as I thought I could find something that fit. I don’t really NEED cowboy boots, but I have WANTED them for a long, long time.

So, naturally, the very first thing I tried on out of this bounty was the boots – AND THEY FIT ME! I’m more excited about them than the lovely pantsuits, dresses, the jeans, the tops, or the t-shirts. I’m grateful for all of it, but the boots give me special joy.

I’m also happy to report that “shaking things up” appears to be working. I have cut back on the oatmeal – not eating it every day, and when I do, then I am cutting back on other things. I have been particularly careful about what I am eating at night, especially on those nights when Dave is gone. And my weight is down about six pounds from last Thursday.