JUST A LITTLE SPOON

Ask and it shall be given unto you ... For every one that asks receives. 

Luke 11:9-10  

A few years ago, my two small sons and I moved into our new home.  We were all very excited.  This was a move that we had anticipated for quite some time as it promised to be the end of some problematic issues for us.  It meant for example that the boys were much nearer to their school and therefore their friends, I had less driving to do each morning and evening.  This last was a really good thing given the London rush hour traffic.  It even meant that we could sleep in a little longer in the mornings, be less harassed and enjoy our journey to school much more than we ever did before.  Finally we were now in a nicer, safer neighborhood and our house had just been newly re-decorated including nice new furniture!

The very first night that we spent we were very tired.  The day had been hectic as our move had to be completed in a few hours.  Tenants were moving that same day into our old house.  In view of the tenants we had left everything behind as they were renting a furnished accommodation.  So at the end of this very special but tiring day, I decided to order some food for the boys; their favorite fried chicken and fries.  They eat voraciously and soon after went to bed exhausted but happy.  God had indeed blessed us and we were full with thanksgiving.

I had an opportunity to take in the fullness of God’s favor to us and relax in the peace and quiet that now settled over our home.  I finally realized that I was actually quite hungry.  I had decided that I would microwave a frozen meal that I had taken with us from our old house.  I prepared my meal, added some pepper sauce, placed my steaming hot plate of food on a tray and went to eat what seemed to be the most appetizing food I had ever seen!  That’s what happens to a microwave meal when you are hungry!

That’s when it happened!  I began to search calmly at first, then my search became almost frantic but to no avail.  I could not find a single piece of utensil.  I had overlooked bringing any spoon, forks, knives or any kind of utensils, even disposable ones with us.  I looked at the food; it was not the kind of meal to be eaten with one’s fingers.  I was so very hungry; I had not eaten all day and for someone who loves her food, this was now a serious matter!

So what could I do?  I called on the Lord, I prayed:

Lord, could you not provide me with something to eat this food that you have provided for me?  Could you not also have provided even one little spoon, just one little spoon for me to eat my dinner?!

I was literally whining at my Father like a small child!  Then I felt strongly persuaded to have one last look.  But why should I look again I thought, I have looked through every possible drawer and container at least three times already!  But I had nothing to lose so I decided just this last time to make a final search, then I would give up and go to bed.  After all, the Bible tells us that ‘obedience is better than sacrifice’ I thought resignedly.

Well, as I pulled out the very first drawer, there it was in an otherwise empty drawer; a spoon!  I began to laugh and to give very loud thanks and praise to the Lord.  Then I laughed some more.  I had just found the very tiniest, little silver spoon that I have ever seen except perhaps, in a toy play-set!  Truly my Father supplies all my needs; I had a spoon to eat my meal!  Yes, it was the littlest spoon but a spoon, the little spoon I had pleaded for …! 

Perhaps this was the silver spoon that some are born with in their mouths, maybe this was mine just catching up with me from my Father!!  As I began eating with the merriest heart on the face of the earth that night, I smiled at the answer that the Lord gave me.  He heard and answered my prayers because He cares about everything that concerns me and He certainly gives me what I ask of Him!!

I sat in my beautiful home, with all the benefits that came with it, my two beautiful boys sleeping upstairs and I praised and thanked the Lord.  Most especially I thanked Him for reminding me of His great love for me through the gift of a beautiful little spoon to eat my first meal under this new roof. And the best thing of all, I felt in my spirit and even physically in that house that my heavenly Father was smiling with me.  Yes, God laughs too!

I hope that this real experience blesses everyone who reads it.  I pray that we keep on trusting in God to supply our every need and I counsel everyone to pray in specific terms. God will hear and give you what you ask according to His love, His will and His riches in glory.  Ever so often, I remind myself of this truth by looking at that little silver spoon treasured securely in my jewelry box!