Many years ago, in ancient times, Moses led a group of slaves out of Egypt and back to their homeland. Along the way, they had to wander for many years through the Sinai Peninsula, a barren, rocky, lifeless stretch of land.
During their extended stay in the wilderness, God provided them with manna, a food that appeared out of nowhere and sustained the people with the nourishment they needed each day. The trick to this rhythm of trusting God, and receiving what they needed, was that any manna they received had to be used that day.
Manna couldn't be hoarded. It could not be stored or saved up for a rainy day. If people hoarded their manna, it would spoil and rot away. Or it would mysteriously disappear as magically and certainly as it had appeared.
Most of us know what it means to receive our daily bread. It's the love, the guidance, the grace, and the material things we need each day on our journey.
Sometimes, we can sit down and anticipate the times to come. We can look at our money, our strength, our abilities, our stamina, and say wearily, "There just won't be enough." That's because we're looking too far ahead.
Look around at what you have available, this moment or this hour. Use the resources and gifts you've been given. Tomorrow's manna will come at its appointed hour.
God, help me enjoy the road to freedom, even when that journey takes me through the wilderness. Help me remember the rules about manna: living one day at a time.
More language of letting go - Melody Beattie
One Day At A Time. A song I used to sing in church from a hymnal...never putting the words to comprehension. Five years ago was the first time I heard this term other than in a song from a hymnal, when I first sought treatment.
How many phrases, songs, quotes have we heard and never comprehended them until they would be of value in our lives? As many that are first in Recovery, this term in somewhat of an "A-Ha" moment. Many of us chasing the next high, the clock striking five, the drive to the liquor store. Sometimes learning it "one hour at a time" or
"one moment at a time".
It can be an hour by hour process. Not just for drugs or alcohol, it can be an hour by hour process for what we are facing in life right now at this very moment. We can allow ourselves to get caught up chasing the almighty dollar. Worrying about where next months bills will be paid with, how the food will be put on the table. It's easy to get caught up in the moment of wanting this or that..."keeping up with the Jones'". I know I used to.
I do not have the material things I once had, but I am okay with that. I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge and my life, a sober life. I have had too many encounters of all most losing my life. So, today I am grateful to be alive!
Yes, we do have hard times in life, but if you believe that God will provide for you, he will. You must have faith, one day at a time.
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