The same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NLT

Referring back to Week 4, I was amazed by a landscaping truck I saw. I included a picture for you to see what I saw. Coming from someone who ruined her pruning shears trying to cut a whole tree down, I felt a sense of pride for the owner who gave all these wonderful tools to his or her employees to use. How much more fun would this project have been if I would have had the correct tools for the job!? Instead I ended up with blisters and a "hack job".

As I looked at this trailer with 4 different types of edgers, 3 mowers, etc. – a bit envious of all their fancy tools – I thought about my life as a parent, wife, daughter and friend. How many times have I tried to tackle a big situation with a little tool? Have I tried to settle a disagreement with elaborate words rather than true repentance? Have I tried using human ingenuity to remove a road block instead of faith and hope? When do I turn to my thoughts in a situation rather than fixing my mind on God's?

God has "supplied all my needs". God has given me every tool I need to shape my life. Just like the landscape crew had tools they could use to create a masterpiece lawn, God has given me every tool necessary to allow my life to truly be the reflection of the One I have been patterned after.

Does this mean I will know how and when to use all the tools given me? Well, not exactly. You might get a good laugh if I walked up to the trailer, grabbed a hedge trimmer and just started away at my rhododendron. Needless to say, training and discipline are a must with any tool.

We have to first know that God has given us an arsenal of glorious riches. Then we can ask Him to lead and guide us into being good managers of these precious gifts. Sometimes, we'll have to sweat. Sometimes, we'll have to step out of our comfort zone. Truthfully though, I'd rather go through life knowing I have used the right tools for the job, than waste a whole lot of time using ones that aren't cut out for the task.

Father God, open my eyes to everything you have set out for me to use in my life. Help me to look to Jesus and His life as the ultimate example of how You want me to live. Let me use your tools of discipline, faith, love, forgiveness, integrity, trust … let this list continue on for every need I might have. Thank you for giving me a full trailer!