Family Matters
~Needing Bread
Posted by Stephanie Marchbanks on November 17th, 2010 in Blog | 32 Comments
It’s November, the month for feasting and thankfulness, but I can’t think of anything else as my fingers fly across the computer keyboard. I’m too busy tapping out prayer requests at warp speed, to friends whom I know will pray:
- Loved ones in the ICU on ventilators
- Marriages with children, ripping apart at the seams
- Lonely, hard situations in surviving marriages
- Relatives deployed overseas, struggling with ideas about God
Oh, and the list goes on and my heart swells and rends. “Please pray!” (I beg.) And suddenly…
…in a light-bulb moment, I remember to stop my fingers, drop my head to my hands, and pray myself. I quiet my thundering thoughts; I breathe out the words, sinking into a gentle place with Him, the place that feels so right. And I’ve missed this.
My shoulders relax. Stress hisses out with the exhale. Ah, there it is: That soft, caressing cocoon, holding only Him, and me. I almost shudder with the pleasure of it. And I could almost live here. This could be my food. Didn’t He say he was the Bread of Life?
And don’t I need food every day? So why do I starve myself…of THIS?
35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
(John 6:35, NIV)
Such a simple truth, but oh, how delicious to chew…
The key to healthy families, just like the key to healthy bodies, is food. Spiritually, we need our daily bread, in Him. Have you been to Him today? You can trust Him with your broken heart. You can trust him with your loved ones, and with your prayer list. And you can trust Him with YOU. He will take you into his arms and hold you, until you feel right again. If only you will let Him. But first, you have to GO.
So, what are you waiting for? Come to the table, and feast.
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Amen! So beautifully written and so powerfully true. Thanks so much for sharing, Stephanie!
My pleasure, and thanks for your kind words.
Thank you for this today! The way God works never ceases to amaze me. On a day when I am “starving” God uses you to reach me. It’s so easy to ask others to pray, why is it so hard for me to spend time with the One who loves, who feeds, and who takes care of my thirst? My shoulders are slumped over and heavy with the weight of my stress and worry, and stress and worry over my friends and loved ones who are suffering. It is time to get on my knees and give it to the One that I say that I trust. It’s time to prove that I do trust him.
Yes, dear reader, and you have just encouraged ME. Bless you.
The enemy of our souls will do everything in his power to distract us, to keep us from that “secret place”. Stephanie, great post today as we all think about menus and grocery lists - let’s spend some time with the Bread-Giver - the Lover of our souls! ♥
Yes, Susan! YES! I need to be reminded, over and over. Thank you.
Stephanie,
I’m so glad you are using your talent of writing. You touch many souls.
Thanks for using those talents to HIS glory.
Coleta, thank you. My heart overflows with gratitude for you.
Nothing soothes like sweet fellowship with our Father! Thank you for this encouragement, Stephanie! Just beautiful!
And thank YOU, Victoria, for all that you do. It’s funny…I needed my own words today.
Stephanie you always know how to say the very thing I need .
So many needs and sometimes I feel so helpless. I always think I have to fix IT or Them. Only God can do that !! Sooooo I must run to Him. What a shelter He is. You cannot describe the peace there unless you go. Why do we not stay there more.
You are such a gifted writer and the anointing of your gift always makes me want to read on !!
Keep writing Stephanie , Love you my friend !!!
Oh, and I love you back, Lynn.
Thanks for the reminder to take time out of our busy lives to block everything out except Him… The peace and happiness I find during that times makes a huge difference in how my day and week and life goes…
So true, and actually, as I said to Victoria, I need this reminder over and over.
“Come to the table, and feast.” Thanks for reminding me that he issues that invitation constantly. And I love to eat! He always will provide.
Blessings, Lisa
Thank you, Lisa.
Thanks for the reminder to come before the Lord daily.I am grateful for early morning walks when I can talk with Him and listen for His answer.
Blessings to you and your family,
Shelley
Thank you, sweet Shelley!
I’ve learned (& will continue to) that He gives us just enough food for each day & just enough light for each step.
Beautiful post. Thanks for blessing us with it.
So, so true. That’s why I need to GO every day! I know better, yet I get *busy*, you know? It’s funny how I usually write from hard lessons learned, or white what I need to hear. Thank you.
“You can trust Him with your loved ones, and with your prayer list.” What a precious truth! I’m learning to let go and trust day by day. I think I’ve subconsciously thought I needed to fret and worry and stew over it in order to do my part. But, oh, what blessed rest when we just….trust!
Thanks Steph! Love you!
AMEN! You have blessed me, and the love is returned exponentially.
Stephanie, Thank you for sharing such wonderful wise words. It is so comforting to know that there are lovers of the Lord who are willing to witness. We do have so much to be thankful for. Love you, Becky
So true, and thank you, Becky. The gratitude thing has literally gotten me through tragic events in my life. Bless you.
Thank you Stephanie, what a blessing! I am reading a book about The True Vine. how special the parables that our Lord used to teach about the every day things in our lives. Truly the things Jesus taught in the natural always mirrored the Super-natural….”Oh how He loves us” love and prayers Frances.
Thank you, and bless you, Fran.
Stephanie,
Oh how I needed your words of encouragement today! Thanks for sharing such an inspiring call to prayer.
Blessings,
Angela
And you have blessed me, as well. Thank you.
Stephanie,
Thanks for sending me this… you are an amazing woman… with so many God given gifts. This blog really spoke to me and confirmed some things that Jesus has been so gently trying to tell me…
What a blessing you have been to me since day 1, Delinda. Bless you, sweet friend.
This is beautiful! I had no idea what an anointed writer you are! You have blessed me with your words and I am reminded to rest in the peaceful solitude of my Savior and Lord.