It was 1999. I stood in my medium-sized closet stuffed with clothes and sighed. I had owned many of my clothes for 10 years. We didn’t really have money for new clothing very often and I was fortunate enough to have stayed the same weight for that length of time. “I am so tired of these clothes,” I said to myself. “I wish I had a new white blouse, some new jeans, and some new dresses and skirts.” But I had been working on distinguishing between wants and needs and trying to be more thankful and content for what I already had. So I said “Lord, I don’t need those things though. I have a lot more clothes than most people in the world. Help me be more content.”
A few weeks later, I got a call from a young mom I had just met.
“Wendy, we are about to move away and I am sorting through stuff. I have a lot of nice clothes I can’t wear. I used to be your size, but since the baby, it doesn’t look like I’ll be that size again. Would you like to look at them and take what you want?”
I went over, not expecting much. But as I sorted through things, I became more and more amazed. There was a white blouse, some jeans, some dresses, some skirts and more. They were just like new and were the colors and styles I liked. I also couldn’t have found better fitting clothes if I had tried to shop for them, especially the jeans. I have always had a hard time finding jeans that fit and these were perfect!
It was like God said, “Since you were willing to let go of your desire for these things and be thankful for what I have given you, I will freely give these to you as well.” It also gave me a chance to witness to this friend and many others about what God had done for me. I took this photo and hung it on our wall along with the story to tell my children about how God provided for me.
I am not implying that God always works this way. You may be in need of food or clothing and nothing seems to be happening. You may feel forgotten by God. But I encourage you to look around and find things to be thankful for. Look for the ways he has provided for you. Strive to be thankful and content today and trust that He will provide.