God Provides

THIS THANKSGIVING REMEMBERGod ProvidesDon’t be deceived ... “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” James 1:16-17Thanksgiving Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the source of our provisions. While we do our part by using our mental and physical capacities, the raw materials are created and provided by the divine source, our Father in heaven. Let me tell you a story about a father and son who were debating the merits of accounting. As was their habit after meals, Jose and Sancho retired to the nearby sofa where they continued their discussion. “What is the net worth of your business?” Sancho asked his father, a successful grocer with several stores. Jose thought for a moment and then responded, “I really don’t know, son.” “I can’t believe it! Dad, you have been in the grocery business for as long as I can remember, yet you don’t know the net worth of your business.” “Sancho, I understand your position,” replied the father. “You have just received your accounting degree. And in your courses, you studied a great deal about assets, equities and liabilities. And you want to know about these things. As for me, I don’t need to. You know what, my son? Everything you see in this house, in the garage, and in the grocery store are assets.” “Why is that, Dad?” responded Sancho. Jose began to recount the brief history of his life. “I was only 10 years old when I came to America. Aside from a few pennies in my pocket, I also had an extra shirt, a pair of pants, and a pair of worn out shoes. My father got a job at a nearby factory, and brought home a meager salary. My mother stayed at home and took care of me, your Uncle Francisco and Aunt Matilda. It was a hard life. But those years of hardship did not deter me. In fact, they inspired in me a determination to continue pressing on, knowing that there is a bright future. Those years taught me diligence, the value of hard work and the value of earned dollars. I learned to be thrifty, to save, and to plan for the future. “With much sacrifice from my parents,” Jose continued, “I persevered and graduated from high school. Then I went to college and took a few courses, but had to drop out after about two years because my mother needed help at home. You see, mother had a small home-based business where she earned a few dollars buying and selling assorted household items. You may call it a mom-and-pop store. She needed someone to help her. I learned fast. The grocery store grew. And when dad and mom saw that I was ready for greater responsibility, they let me manage the whole grocery business. “That’s why I say that all the things you see are assets. Make no mistake about it, all of these are blessings from God. He has blessed me so much. And I am grateful to Him who is the source of these blessings. All I need to do is kneel, pray and be thankful. For all of these are gifts from above.”
There on the sofa that Thanksgiving Day, Sancho came to understand well the wisdom of his father – that beyond all those accounting sheets, there is a God who provides what we account for. Out of this story came the continuous reflection that whatever gain we have is a blessing from God. God often allows hardships and difficulties to mold our character and equip us to overcome obstacles. When we belong to Him, we can push forward knowing there is a bright future ahead, a hope: “Blessed is he ... whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Ps. 146:5). Allow God to work in your life: He will develop your character and bless you. And determine in yourself to develop a thankful heart. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joselito N. Villero was born and raised in the Philippines. He now lives in El Centro, California with his wife and four children, and works in the healthcare industry. He is a frequent contributor to the Imperial Valley Weekly, from which this article was adapted.