Daily Bread

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

What does the above verse from Matthew even mean? What exactly was Jesus even trying to convey in this prayer pattern He left for us…and why was He so specific in the usage of the words “day” and “daily?” Imagine this wording, “Give us bread.” No limitation on when the bread is given and no specificity either…Hmmm

This morning, pen and paper became close friends as I sat trying to pay the bills and construe what I hoped to be a semblance of a budget for the following month. After deducting the bills due within the next few days from the available funds, I’m happy to report they were taken care of. Did I feel happy at the time? Absolutely not!

I found that I desired to have at least a surplus to put towards upcoming bills and even a “slush” fund. Truth be told, once the bills were deducted and I saw I was back to zero, I began feeling disappointed. Discouragement enveloped my heart. A sense of anxiety left me feeling overwhelmed. I was disheartened. I wanted to cry. Another paycheck and no extra money to save towards my mortgage due in 5 days. Frustration opened its arms wide and offered warm welcome to me. I slowly began inching my way into its embrace.

I found myself writing my thoughts (to keep me from going insane) and Holy Spirit reminded me of this portion of the scripture, “Give us this day, our daily bread.” Just that one part began ministering to my heart. I felt peace being poured into my troubled and projecting ungrateful spirit. God, had indeed answered this prayer and had given me my daily bread.

As a licensed financial planner, my job entails implementing budgets to help people effectively manage their resources. As a homeowner, my job requires making sure the household bills are paid. As a mother, I need to make sure my baby can “survive” in this world and so my brain and heart has been wired to forecast and stay in the seat of preparation. On and on this ol’ noggin will go, but, here in this moment, I was being reminded that God had given me my daily bread.

Specifically. Intentionally. Just enough.

Bread for me today was money. Just enough to take care of the overhead costs due now. Not next week, not next month. Today. God had given me my daily bread as Jesus taught me to request and I was being unthankful.

Now I look back and I consider, could this prayer be a way to teach me not only daily dependence on my Father, but also a way for me to learn to practice contentment. A way to be grateful for the things I have, today. Learning to enjoy and appreciate the blessings of the here and now instead of becoming anxious about the there and then.

Fourteen verses down, Jesus did say this very same thing come to think about it. He began this session by advising us to not be anxious about anything because just as God provides for plants and animals, He will do the same for us. Verse 34 (last verse of the chapter) leaves us with this needed truth.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes” (MSG)

Selah!

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