The Gift of Daily Bread. . .

Be Still - Arrangement by DappyTKeys
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

I was blessed this past week by celebrating yet another birthday. It was momentous

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for me as I truly did not know if I would live long enough to share this occasion with my loved ones, based on my diagnosis of advanced cancer presented to me exactly one year ago. Thankfully, however, God’s mercy showered me with an abundant bouquet of kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, and love as so many “best wishes” were extended to me from my dear family and friends.  The gratitude of this humble heart is profoundly appreciative beyond words.

To celebrate the occasion of my birthday, I was taken out for dinner by some of my family members. After carefully reviewing the menu, it was unanimous 

we would begin with an appetizer of fresh “Johnny Bread,” which to our delight was served in a bountiful basket of freshly rolled dough sticks that had been tossed in garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, and then golden fried to perfection accompanied with marinara sauce. It truly was mouth-watering and, as an after-thought, I could have easily made it a meal unto itself without my main entrée. What an indulgence that would have been! As I mused on this delightful evening later on, it reminded me of the portion of the Lord’s prayer that reads “Give us this day our ‘daily’ bread. . .” (Matthew 6:11). I cannot imagine my life without bread. Although I do not indulge in the pleasure of having bread daily for dietary reasons, I do confess when I do have a slice of bread, from time-to-time; it is most certainly both comforting and very satisfying. There is a proverb that says “Bread is the staff of life,” referring to the importance of bread being a staple in one’s life, not just ‘physically’ but, more importantly, ‘spiritually.’

This past year has most certainly brought me to the realization just how important God’s Word is a staple, a necessity, in my life. So, when I pray “Give me this day, my daily bread,” it is not just a request of asking God to nourish my ‘physical’ needs but my ‘spiritual’ needs as well.  For without His daily nourishment, I am ultimately weak and weary. 

Why is having the nourishment of God's bread, His Word, important to me? So that I may share with others the lessons He has given to me along my journey, which is all about H.I.M. This request, however, requires a daily, steadfast commitment.  Although it can be physically, mentally and even spiritually challenging, it is essential if I want to know God’s will for my life. 

Artist - Charles C. Curran

As Proverbs 31:13 and 27 remind me, a “virtuous woman works willingly with her hands;” AND “does not eat the bread of idleness.” Knowing I am in the final stage of cancer, I do not have time to be idle; time, unfortunately, is not in my favour. However, what time is given to me with each new day, I feel is a blessing and an opportunity to feed from God’s Word. This, in turn, gives me the opportunity to encourage and give hope to others through my writings. 

Hence, when I came across the following beautiful quote, I could not help but think what comfort and fulfillment the sustenance of God’s Word has truly been in my life by helping me come to terms with living with cancer, “A woman of God is one who sees her life with a mission to serve. What others see as a burden, she sees it as a blessing and an opportunity.” ~ Christine Russell.        

Thus, for me to come to grips with my life and accept “what is” rather than “what was” as a blessing and an opportunity is only through the divine gift of God’s grace by which I receive the “gift of His daily bread”.

"The Bible is meant to be bread
for daily use, not
cake for special occasions."
~ Anonymous ~