Old Mother Hubbard (Part 2)

SISTER L 09/18/2008 07:11:10

Thank you for this two part series. We just started our missions conference last night and your message came at such a perfect time for me. ((hugs)) Thank you!!!

JENNIFER B 09/18/2008 08:37:22

I tearfully write Thank you! Every single one of these daily focus comes right when I need it-oh how powerful God is! We have been struggling ourselves and when I read this, I understand our situation is not as dire as it could be. Thank you for sharing your hardship so others can be grateful AND see how God blesses those who love Him. It's amazing how those words keep coming back to me lately. Thank you and God bless you!

VICKI C 09/18/2009 06:23:24

Thank you so much for this nugget of truth. I am so impressed with each devotional. This one is one that I will share with friends. Yes, God has and will always supply our needs. He also wants us to have the desires of our hearts. He is a God who is More than enough. God bless you.

THERESA S 09/18/2010 06:20:39

Thank You. This is the first daily focus that has helped me. My kids are not having strife in the homeschool process but ME trusting God is s theme I need daily encouragement with.

ANITA K 09/18/2010 08:37:43

I could feel goosebumps on my hand when read how our awesome God provided, once again. It truly is wonderful to know we serve such a God who is intimately acquainted with all our ways and needs!! Thanks for sharing.

MELISA D 09/21/2010 08:55:28

Amen!!!

MIKE D 09/18/2011 04:55:24

I like these devotionals and they are very helpful--when they are realistic. In the first part of the story, she mentions that their long diveway is blocked by a blizzard and they have no way out. In the second part of the story a pastor drives right up there, and then they all head right out to town.

I am all for glorifying God and what he does, but not by taking liberties with stories for the sake of storytelling. This makes me think twice about some of these devotionals, unfortunately.

LISA B 09/18/2011 05:17:57

Having lived in Wisconsin all my life - I can see where this is realistic. A truck can go where no car can. And then a car can go where a truck has been.

A pastor I knew of second-hand (my husband's childhood pastor) was a good, humble man who preached the Word in a small town. He didn't have shoes for his children. He told no one but God of his need and the next morning a sack of brand-new shoes all the right size was sitting outside of his door.

In yesterday's comments someone said that the man should have taken care of his family's needs before running off to a mission field - or words to that effect.

I say if a man is Spirit-led (and that is an important point) to do the Lord's work, he is trusting in the Lord to provide for his needs to do it - and that includes his family's needs.

To say, "Ok, Lord, I'll do your work but first I've got to do some other things (on my own)..." is not to trust in the Lord but to trust in yourself.

To trust in the Lord to provide and then to receive His blessings seems miraculous, but it's just the Lord doing what He does. It's incredible, fantastic, "unrealistic"...but it is real.

We're "flying without a net" right now - my husband isn't working a regular job and we have no insurance and sometimes I've gotten myself worked up with worry. But then I remember we have "God's net". It's a daily submission to Him and His will and a daily battle with worry and fret. To submit to Him IS to battle the worry and fret.

I don't know how but I trust (I pray I trust) that He will provide what we need when we need it - I need to do what the Lord expects of me as a wife and mother and resist the urge to move out of that will and take things into my own hands. I need to let Him work thru my husband on our behalf. When I trust He shows His grace and I am humbled.

I'm sorry for all those who trust themselves or who think the Lord providing like this isn't realistic. Whether this really happened or not - I believe it COULD have.

KIM B 09/18/2011 06:36:35

I am a single mom that home schools. Home school has been a big part of my heart even before I got married. In fact, I had decided that I did not even want children, until one day a friend from my church told a group of us about a home school conference they went to. I was fascinated. Really?. You can do that? It's legal? One thing lead to another and I learn more about it. I felt like having children now would be a blessing. To not have to hand them over to an education system...spend 3 hours a day "deprograming" much of what they had learned at school...God was answering other people's prayer about this also.

After marriage and the birth of my two children, my husband left us. They where still babies really. (2 1/2 and 1 1/2.) For two and a half years I prayed about home schooling them. Each time I pray, fasted, cried out to him, the Lord reminded me that it was Him that put home schooling in my heart and He would help me do it. He would provide.

My ex hated the idea of home schooling (control mostly) but he paid his child support and I budgeted and tithed and gave offerings. People gave me curriculum, I joined a local network and made friends with other moms. We were ecliptic on our approach at firs; had to be. And things weren't perfect but it worked. People (family too) began noticing my kids behavior and wisdom -- even at an early age. God was at the center of everything we were learning. We kept Him first as much I knew how to. He was so faithful to us.

There were times when we didn't have money for milk and bread - but not many. i just fixed something else - used what we had in the house. I prayed often - constant really - to ask for His help. God actually used home schooling to help heal parts of me from a failed marriage.

So much else to say....to tell, but I leave this comment to reassure mom's everywhere, that it is God that has put this desire for home school in your heart and He will perform the work in you and in your home. Each and every year I would ask Him what to do and he would direct me and provide for it. My children are in jr. high and high school now.

It was not all easy and there were hard times, but it has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. They are still learning, I am still learning and teaching, Jesus Chirst is still the head of our home. He has never failed me. He has never failed my children. If you are wavering or hurting today,I urge you and implore you to TRUST HIM.

LAURA P 09/18/2011 07:34:24

Amen. God has done many such miracles on my behalf. In fact, just yesterday. I have been trying for about 3 weeks to do this program on the computer for my kids' Math class. The teacher has grown weary of my ignorance, and told me he is no longer willing to help me. Yesterday, I was so frustrated I was crying. I realized that there was only 1 thing I could do. I went into the bedroom and got on my knees and started praying. I didn't try to hide my anger from God, because he already knew I was upset, so I just let it all out. I told him that He knows everything, and asked him to help me figure it out. Within 5 minutes, my prayer was answered. With a yes. That is my awesome God.

LISA B 09/18/2011 08:08:57

Bless you, Kim. The Lord has brought you closer to Him thru this.

He brings us all closer to Him in our weakness relying on His strength.

MICHELLE C 09/18/2011 16:58:50

this is the verse that God layed on my heart when i questioned my ability to homeschool. this verse reminded me of God's power in me to teach my child. i have been relying on Him since, and i am so excited to see what is in store for my daughter and me. this scripture says it is better than i could ever fathom. how exciting!

VERGINIA T 09/17/2012 10:23:31

When my devout mother raised us five children alone we had many instances like this - a bag of groceries on our doorstep, a check comes in the mail from a wedding or funeral she had played piano for some months prior - many provisions coming just in the nick of time. I also remember times she went to bed hungry to provide for us. I am grateful to the Lord and to her!

RENEE G 09/18/2012 05:08:48

To Mike D- Do you live in snow country, let alone an area subject to freak blizzards? Living in Nebraska myself, I can see how this is very realistic. This family is on the western part of the state where the blizzards are even harsher and the snow blows everywhere for days afterward. One minute the weather folks are predicting a 30% chance of snow and the next thing you know you have a full blown blizzard on your hands. Also, one minute you can have your driveway scooped out and the next, the wind has driven tall berms all throughout your driveway and yard, (except of course not on your neighbors across the street) and maybe not even throughout most of your road- just parts of it. As Lisa B mentioned above- trucks can often go where cars cannot and then cars can follow in the tracks. Our neighbor's cars get stuck all the time, even our minivan was able to get out, and now our SUV can get out all the better, with 4WD.

As for the comments yesterday, I am a bit shocked at the judgment and lack of faith they project. The scriptures are clear how we are to view and understand the cost of following the Lord (Spirit led.) Not lead ourselves, we should not be in the "driver's seat." King Saul, who began as anointed, began to follow his own path, on his own understanding and strength, to the point of going to a medium. God took His anointing off of him and gave it to David, a man after God's own heart. Another example comes from the book of 1 Kings 19:19-20

"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, he said, and then I will come with you.

Go back, Elijah replied. What have I done to you?

And yet one more example from, Luke 9:61-62

"Still another said, I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.

Jesus replied, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.

If we are truly called, He will provide. The old saying is NOT true "God helps those who help themselves" We must fully rely on Him. Yes, He gave us brains to think and plan, yet He also gave us a spirit to respond to His calling, by the Spirit, not by intellect alone. Hebrews 11:1 sums up faith for us, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." If we could think, plan, and do it all- what do we need the Lord Jesus Christ for?

Blessings to you all!

ROCHELLE R 09/18/2012 07:08:25

I live in upstate NY, and we have the same situation with the snow. In fact, our house is situated such that the wind blows out our long driveway before other houses on the street, which has been such a blessing when my husband has been away for extended military duty, even though he has taught me how to use the snowblower. One time there was no wind and our driveway was packed a couple feet high. Our neighbors saw it and plowed us out, thinking we weren\'t home, and knowing there was no way for us to get in otherwise. As soon as I realized it, I ran down their longer adjacent driveway to thank them and bring an offering of cookies. They aren\'t saved, but God uses the unsaved to shower His blessings as well!

I have also experienced numerous times when God provided. We always did our best to make things work, but sometimes there are situations beyond our control: for instance, the time I earned money from extra summer military duty, but didn\'t get paid for a couple of months because the priority was to pay those in Desert Storm. When I finally got the $300 I was owed right before our money kicked in for the next semester of college, God led me to stock my cupboards with staples because I knew the bill collectors wouldn\'t come take our food. We only had $5 left to buy food for the entire month, which I used on milk, bread, eggs, sugar, etc., God stretched the money by providing ridiculous coupons for exactly what I needed: like eggs for 39 cents a dozen, bread - buy 1 get 2 free, etc. But this is exactly when God becomes more visible. My husband was unsaved (I was saved after marriage), and the \"coincidences\" of God\'s timing was too much for him. My husband also noticed my demeanor during the hard times, that I exhibited faith and did not worry. When he was finally saved, he admitted that those times were a witness to him. These times can be used as a witness to others of God\'s \"fantabulous\" greatness and goodness!!

Keep up the excellent work on these devotionals! And Christians, do not \"read into\" what she writes. You don\'t know all the circumstances, and the writer is not obligated to tell us! Just listen to what she is saying, and if you don\'t like it, either ignore it or search your heart as to why you are judging without all the facts.

KATHY S 09/18/2012 07:13:24

May God Bless the Author and all who have read this today.

I have really been being worked with by the Lord as of late,he is teaching me that HE and HE ALONE controls all in my life.

TERESA S 09/18/2012 08:06:18

I remember as a child searching throughout the house for a nickel for milk for school.

As a went into the bathroom I heard a \"ding\". A nickel had fallen into the bathtub.

DAWN G 09/18/2012 10:47:13

I do not normally leave comments, but I feel compelled to this time. I have read so many devotions lately where people want to leave negative comments about the author of these devotions. The best thing I can say to all those leaving those negatives comments is - Shame on You!!! This lady is writing these devotions from her heart and basing them on her experiences as a homeschooling mom. She shares the good and the bad and it is not necessary to pick apart her stories. Glean what God would have for you from each one and leave comments that will encourage others. We all have enough negativity in this world to deal with. We do not need it attached to our daily devotions.

Also, I recently had the experience of losing all of our food in our refrigerator and freezer due to a power outage from bad weather. We still had food in the pantry, but all our meat was lost. I was upset thinking about all the sales I had caught to stock up the meat I had in an outside deep freezer and it was all ruined. God quickly reminded my that He has always provided. I just thought to myself, \"Well, there will be more sales.\" Little did I know that God had a different plan. Within a week of the loss, God provided more groceries in our refrigerator and freezer than we had before. We had two different people just give us groceries because they said they felt led to do so and God provided us with extra money from another source (who is still completely anonymous). God is so good to us!!

MERWIN S 09/18/2012 10:59:47

This has happend for our family in so many ways at various times throughout our marriage. It feels sd blessed to pay it forward to someone else!

LARA T 09/19/2012 05:52:06

I am disappointed to see how divisive (almost hostile) many of the comments were yesterday and several times over the past few months. As a homeschool educator, I enjoy being a part of at least ONE community of like-minded individuals. This forum may not be for everyone. It\'s also okay not to comment unless humbly sharing biblical truth that you understand to be misinterpreted.

1 Thes. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.\"

Yesterday\'s devotional was biblical...

MAN should not \"store up\" unless GOD tells you to (Gen 41:35). Remember Pharaoh\'s dream? Joseph interpreted it, they stored grain, and saved God\'s people from famine in Gen. 41.

Recall the Israelites in the desert... GOD provided their daily manna.

We are to TRUST GOD alone.

There were several famines to learn from by men serving God - Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and in the book of Ruth. I have no doubt they cared very much for their families - just as this husband serving God in this devotional cares for his wife and their children.

Let us not forget what Hosea 8:11 says,

Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land" not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of HEARING the words of the Lord.\"

I pray each of us have ears to hear and eyes to see the need around us. Just as many of these anonymous servants have, I pray we listen AND respond out of the abundance God has provided.

Let us also remember: These \"almost\" unbelieveable stories of God\'s provision is HOW God does things. If they didn\'t defy nearly all logic then God\'s devine hand wouldn\'t be revealed, and we wouldn\'t be here glorifying HIM at all!!

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. GOD has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

Yong Horton 09/18/2013 13:55:07

Thank you for the Old Mother Hubbard story. I am new to homeschooling and when I started getting the daily focus, I thought these are cute stories and nice devotionals. After a month of homeschooling and having frustrating days and days when i felt like i had failed, the devotional gave me strength. The daily focus also redirects me back to GOD. I am blessed by this ministry.

TAIDEE GOKEY 09/18/2013 17:51:08

Thank you for this devotional. Just during the weekend we wanted to buy school supplies for our homeschool but we were limited on money so I just went ahead and bought the minimal. God knew in my heart that there was so much more I needed and wanted to get for my kids but I couldn't buy it. I declared My God shall supply for all OUR needs according to his riches in glory. On Monday we started our homeschool day with the limited supplies that we had purchased, well just a few minutes after we started someone knocked on our front door really loud. The children and I ran to open it but there was no one there. Just three huge gift bags full of school supplies one for each child and one for me. They even had our names on them. We still have not found out who brought them here but we know The Lord is our provider. He gave us all that we needed plus more!!!!! Praise The Lord!!! even on little things that some people may think are no big deal, HE CARES, HE PROVIDES, he knows us and he listens to the cries of our hearts. Thank you Daddy for your precious love and provision.