God as caregiver

Rosalie E. Dunbar

It happened in New York City, between Thanksgiving and Christmas. An unexpected expense had wiped out nearly everything I had except the money to pay my rent and basic bills. I'd be spending a month with almost no cash.

An inventory of my cupboards revealed I had enough canned food to get by. But more important, I spent some time praying to know that God would take care of my needs. This wasn't the first time I'd prayed in this way, but it was the first time that I had to trust wholeheartedly. I didn't tell anyone of my situation because I wanted to rely on God instead of on people.

What was amazing during this whole period was that I felt wonderfully cared for. People spontaneously gave me things to eat—leftovers from a party, that kind of thing. One person even bought me a six-pack of soda just because "she felt like it"! I felt surprisingly content because I wasn't thinking of happiness in terms of having money to buy things. God's specific care was tangible. Through these evidences of kindness, in fact, I lived more luxuriously than I would have if I had been doing the buying.

Then one day as I was walking along, I found myself wishing for a roast beef sandwich. I immediately pounced on that thought and scolded myself a little for wishing for something when I knew that God was taking care of all my needs. I told myself to be content and to trust in Him.

A day or so later people in another department where I worked invited me to their Christmas party. I normally didn't go to parties because I felt they were a waste of time. But we had been having some rocky relations, and I decided to go to this party out of a desire for there to be peace—or at least less war—between their department and mine.

When I got there, I was greeted warmly and led immediately to the food table—which was piled high with roast beef sandwiches. This was a small but important lesson to me. I learned that I could trust in God—completely.

Rosalie E. Dunbar
Dracut, Massachusetts

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

When you say grace, what do you expect?

November 25, 1996

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit