Joy in the Provision

Our entire family was together over  Christmas.
L to R:  Viviano, Bridget, Anchor and Mackenna Aguilar.  Addison, Jay, Wyatt and Nicole Kimbler
Mary, Howard, Danielle, Jonathan and Kevin Scholl

Interesting to think about the final post on our blog for 2012.  It is always beneficial to take time to reflect on where the last year has taken us and then to look forward to all the possibilities 2013 may hold.  For us, our challenge has been and will continue to be, to find joy in our lives.  Not a superficial, "Polly Anna" type of joy but a deep, abiding joy and contentment in our circumstances.

I asked Howie what his thoughts were about the past year.  And he talked over and over about God's provision in our lives.  As hard as it is to live on support, it puts us in a position to see God work in amazing ways through His children.  For him (Howard), how this plays out is the practical provision in the lives of our children.  When Danielle's car broke down, the ability to repair it with minimal cost to her.  When Jonathan needed a new car, the car that came available for sale through a friend at a great deal beyond what Jonathan ever thought he could afford.

For me (Mary). His provision seemed much more extravagant,  when I was able to purchase a piano and then have it paid for by the end of the year by donations through  two small, different churches.  Do I need a piano?  The answer is, well no.  Do I want a piano?  The answer is absolutely yes, this is the one way that I can completely, freely and with abandon worship my Lord and Savior.  This is a provision above and beyond anything I would have asked for.

For both of us, the provision of mileage tickets to fly home this Christmas to be with our kids and grand kids.  My sister and her family were going to be gone to spend Christmas with her family and her home was available for us to use.  Let me try and describe how it is from our perspective.  Christmas day, all the family is here, minus one.  Then that evening the last little family arrives, they walk in the door.  For Howie it was the first time he met our new grandson, Wyatt.  Lots of noise, of course everyone wants to hold baby Wyatt and little Miss Mae.  Oh, the noise because everyone is talking at once.  Craziness, that only could be derived from five children, two spouses, four grandchildren and a Great- Grandpa.  That night when everyone was tucked in bed, I can't even describe how great it felt to have everyone under one roof, for just that one night, if it happened to be two then, wow, double the blessing.  For Howie and I this is God's provision, we don't need much, we don't expect this, but man, when this actually happens, we are thankful people, thankful children.  We also wonder if it were readily available to us, would we be near this thankful.  The conversations heard, the smell of babies right after their baths, sitting on the couch all smooched together.

Howie and I were just sitting outside talking about the upcoming New Year.  2013!  I believe many hotels don't even have a thirteenth floor, as airplanes don't have a thirteenth row.  With the whole fiscal cliff, I am wondering if it would be better to just "jump" to 2014.  And then the competitor is awakened in me and I say, "No!"  In spite of everything, we can make this be a great year. First John, chapter three says, "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth, verse 18.

Let's embrace 2013 and figure out ways to love in deed and in truth, not just word or talk.  What that looks like, may and will be very different for each of us.  The important thing is to figure out how God has called each of us to demonstrate Christ in deed and in truth to those he has put into our direct sphere of influence.

Finally, to  be people who are thankful for His provision and to express joy in our circumstances in spite of what exterior influences may be telling us.

Happy New Year dear friends.  May we define 2013 instead of letting 2013 define us.