Manna

God has been speaking to me a lot about manna lately. Most of us know the basic story in the Old Testament about the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and how God sent manna from heaven every morning. He sent just enough for each family to eat and be filled. It was perfectly suited for all their nutritional needs. It even sounds like it would have tasted pretty good! It was perfectly crafted and meted out by their Creator to sustain them and fulfill them in every way. What a miraculous blessing from the hand of God Almighty.

And yet, the Israelites grumbled and complained about it. "The children of Israel wept and said, 'Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!" (Numbers 11:4-6) So the people gathered up against Moses and demanded meat. He requested it of the Lord, who sent tons and tons of quail. So much that the people gathered it all day, all night, and all the next day. They had themselves quite a feast. Yet even while they were still eating, a plague fell upon them and many of them died. They called the place Kibroth Hattaavah, which means "Graves of Craving", because the people had yielded to their intense craving (Numbers 11:31-34).

What was their sin? Wanting to eat meat? Wishing for a little variety in their diet? Not really. Their sin was that they didn't trust that the manna God sent them each day was perfect. Instead of what God provided, they wanted what they thought was so much better, so much more delicious, so much more desirable. So "He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." -Psalm 106:15.

So. I wonder. How often do I whine and complain about the manna God has meted out for me on a particular day, thinking I would rather have quail? The days I'm believing some lies of the enemy about how much better the food is over in Egypt? Do I trust that each day, my manna is filtered through the hand of Yahweh, the Creator God, the King of all Kings, the Lover of my Soul? The One who knows what I need so much better than I do?

God gave me the opportunity this afternoon to rest with just my two older girls, Allie and Maggie. We spent a little quiet time outside, since it's such a beautiful day. I watched Allie come alive out there with the goats. Holding the chickens. Preparing a picnic and story to read to her little sister out in the barn. Her soul is alive when she's out here on the farm. I can see it.

I've watched my precious Maggie turn into such a responsible young lady. She is growing up so incredibly fast. I can see her growing and becoming and blossoming.

I'm watching my belly grow and remembering that these days are so fleeting. I'm trying to revel in each kick, each squirm, each sweet little hiccup and know that this too shall pass. Soon enough she will be outside my body and I will watch her grow up all too quickly as well. Today's manna is to patiently enjoy the process. And this manna, it tastes good. It is perfect. Thank you, Lord.