Happy Saturday. This was supposed to say fun Friday but yesterday got away from me. This week left me in awe of God’s goodness. The weather in New England was stunning. The mornings and evenings were crisp while the afternoon’s sun left me feeling like summer wasn’t too far gone. Fall foliage is spectacular right now, leaving me grateful that I don’t need to travel to see the beauty of autumn because it was right in front of my eyes and I am fortunate enough to be outside for a good portion of my day to be able to witness it. As gentle breezes whispered through the air, leaves fell from the tallest of trees, twirling and dancing as they made their way to the ground. God is good.

All of the beauty around me, all of the faith inside me, didn’t stop me from fretting over things that didn’t need to be fretted over. I lost my focus this week and there was one day that anxiety was eating me alive. I couldn’t even see beyond myself. I couldn’t run away from my thoughts to turn them into a prayer, a prayer as simple as “help.” But God knew what I needed. He always does. And in the midst of my fretting, he provided for my need. It was like he was saying, “even though you didn’t call on me to help you, I love you so much that I’m helping you anyway.” I took a deep breath and then breathed out, “thank you Jesus.” I texted my friend and told her what happened and she said, “we are just like the Israelites.” Those Israelites were fearful. They forgot how the Lord provided for them in the past and worried about the present and the future. They took matters into their own hands. They turned away from God and to other things that they thought could fulfil them for the moment. Aren’t we like the Israelites though? I know God is good. I know that He loves me and hears my prayers. And time and time again, I try to take matters into my own hands, no matter the circumstance. I forget that He is there. I forget that His ways are higher and better. I forget that faith is the cure for fear. I forget that He is faithful. I forget that He’s done great things before and He will do great things again. I forget that He already has the victory. My relationship with Jesus isn’t a get out of jail free card for my troubles. My relationship with Jesus means that in my troubles, I am never alone.

He saw me, He heard me, He knew what I needed and provided above and beyond. The haze was lifted from my eyes, and I looked around me again in awe of how amazing my God is. In his provision and in His creation He showed Himself to me this week. Thanks be to God.

To learn more about the Israelites and God’s faithfulness read Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.