“Mama, Bible stories?”

Truly, there’s nothing sweeter than that request from my 20-month-old daughter. On the hardest days of motherhood, it helps me feel that maybe I’m doing at least something right with her.  

Flipping open her Bible short-stories, I realized we had made it to the New Testament and the story of Jesus’ birth. I started the familiar passage while my daughter pointed out all the little pictures of farm animals.  

“But there was no room for them in the inn,” I read. “But God was watching. He would care. And He did. God led them to a cozy stable.” *

Unexpectedly, my eyes welled.

It didn’t look like provision. It looked like an old, stinky barn filled with animals. Certainly not a place for a new mother to birth her son. To labor. To wail. To push through each contraction with such intensity and pain.

This barn looked like disappointment.

But it WAS provision. It might not have been what they wanted, but it supplied what they needed.

This revelation overwhelmed me, and God began to speak to my heart.

I instantly felt the sweet humbling that only God can bring – that way He tells us a hard truth but accompanies it with a big hug. It never fails to send my complaining heart into a posture of gratitude.

While my family and I have been praying for God’s provision in several areas of our life, it just hasn’t looked the way I want it to. I’ve spent time in prayer asking God for answers and direction but have consistently felt discontent with His current solutions.

And the thought occurred to me, “what makes me think I deserve more? And what makes me think more is better?”

The Son of God, the Savior of mankind came to earth from His heavenly home, and God provided a barn and manger for his entrance.

And it was sufficient.

Sometimes his provision looks like a barn.

Sometimes it looks like a large, beautiful home on 20 acres.

Sometimes a freezer full of meat.

Sometimes manna in the desert for days on end.

Sometimes a large social group.

Sometimes one faithful friend.

It’s always what we need, but not always what we want. And it’s always sufficient.

When the Israelites begged God for food and received manna, they wanted meat. They weren’t satisfied. They weren’t grateful. And yet, when he sent them quail, they got sick. Sometimes what we think we want, isn’t what we want after all.  

Likewise, when the Israelites begged God for a king, longing to be like all the other countries, it grieved God’s heart. He wanted to be their king. He was everything they could ever need. But they persisted, so God sent them Saul.

Saul was just what they wanted, what they asked for, a head taller than the others, strong, capable. But they couldn’t see his heart. They had to learn that he wouldn’t have their best interests in mind, that he would be prideful, easily jealous, and insecure. Saul is what they wanted to fill their “need” for a king, but He was not what was best for them.

Sometimes God’s grace looks like David. A king after His heart with a desire to serve and love His people. Finding that place of gratitude in the season of Saul will make us much more grateful when God sends a David.

God knows when we aren’t ready for that thing we are asking for. Maybe He can see something ahead that we can’t, and He knows it’s not the season for us to have it. Maybe He knows it’s not good for us.

When His provision isn’t meeting our wants, it’s time to reflect. To be thankful for what He has done for us and especially to be thankful that He cares enough to withhold our wants when it’s in our best interest.

Thank God my mom didn’t give in to my desire for ice cream three meals a day when I was a child. It made her a good mother that she prioritized my needs. As a parent, we often see things our children don’t, and we know somethings are just not good for them.

Pausing in the midst of our frustration to count our blessings and thank God for His provision – no matter what package it comes in – helps us maintain a peaceful, joyful spirit and increases our trust in Him.

If you’re looking for God’s provision in a certain area of your life, start with what He’s already given you. Whether you’re asking for something tangible – like a car – or something intangible – like a better work environment.

Maybe you need a car, but has He supplied you with friends so you can catch a ride to work?

Maybe you’re praying for a new job, but did He give you a patient spouse who lovingly listens to you on bad days?

Sometimes this is what His provision looks like. Little bits of grace that carry us through the hard season and sustain us until He’s ready to do more.

Let’s maintain our gratitude in each phase of provision and model for our own children what being grateful in every season looks like.

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13

This might be a Saul season for you, but just remember, in other seasons, He sends a David.

–Written by Anna Wetherington. Anna is a copywriter in Valdosta, GA. She lives with her husband and daughter, and together they attend Azalea City Church of God.

*My Good Night 5-Minute Bible Stories, Susan L. Lingo