God has been faithful through every challenge. He has been my Comforter, Provider, Sustainer, Healer, Disciplinarian, and GPS.

He has been faithful, kind, gentle, wise, encouraging, gracious, merciful, and patient in ways I never expected, and surely, did not deserve.

All of this means – He has given  an abundant life for which my heart is filled with gratitude.

In reading a devotional recently, my thoughts were turned to view this a bit differently.

“Everyone who asks receives …” (Luke 11:10, NASB)

We ask in order to receive from God the things which we lack. It’s important that we ask with right motives, according to His will, and with wisdom.

“Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty.”

(from “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers, June 9)

From that perspective, I am more of a pauper than I realized.

Pauper … a person without any means of support; destitute and reliant.

I don’t think “pauper” is a word used much these days. At least, I haven’t used it until just now. We don’t want to think of ourselves as needy, or empty, or in want of help.

We pride ourselves in getting things done, in being efficient, and productive.

But I am a pauper in many ways, especially in needing help in varied areas of my life:

• Wisdom to know when to offer or withhold help to others,
• Energy or stamina in playing with toddlers in the heat and humidity so they stay happy,
• Knowledge and understanding in navigating medical appointments and decisions.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NASB)

God’s desire is for us to be able to learn His Word, apply it, and help others to also apply it to their lives as well.

The question I’ve been pondering lately … Are we willing to see ourselves as paupers? Totally destitute and unable to provide or do for ourselves in a particular area.

I struggle with the recognition of living abundantly and as a pauper at the same time. Regarding blessings – my cup is full. And yet, spiritually, I want to see my cup as needing to be filled, so I am able to ask Him for all that I need each day; for as I do, this occurs in my life:

“I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God, just as I am.”
(from “Just As I Am” as  sung by Travis Cottrell)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5:3, NASB)

Summer is upon us and perhaps you are looking for recommendations for your reading time. With a balance of fiction and non-fiction, I hope this list from Michele Morin will enrich your summer reading! Check out her post, “Did I Hear You Say You Want to Go Deep with Your Summer Reading?”

Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.

Photo by Julian B. Sölter on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Recharge Wednesday .