Rice Cakes and turning down blessings...

The other day leaving my friends house there was a man "setting up shop" in the middle of the highway at a red light. Had his huge overflowing suitcase and a big cardboard sign. As my lane of traffic inched closer to him he finished and opened his sign which I read just in time for the light to change, "hungry... would rather beg than steal"... So I quickly glanced down at what I had "on hand" and offered the man my rice cakes package as I slowly drove toward him and he very loudly and without a moments hesitation proclaimed, "No, I don't want no rice cakes!"

Wow. I was astonished and could only laugh.

This man, a self proclaimed, "beggar" is going to be so choosy as to turn down food even when so "hungry"?! I was speechless.

So as I pulled away I did what I often do when things in life leave me bewildered. I asked God, "what is it that I could learn from this man today?" 
It's been humbling recently to have to ask for help... and many friends and family have come through in big ways for our family... And God Himself has come through in big ways to meet our needs as well as our desires. Yet, it can be very easy to see the rice cake and still want the steak... So to speak;):)

I felt God very plainly saying, "This is done so many times to Me. You ask for things. But you want it your way or no way. You beg for blessings, but when they aren't packaged just how you desire, you refuse the ones I offer you. See the gifts I have provided you in all you have right now and do not seek so much "extra" that you miss out in the "ordinary" something that is actually "extra ordinary" enough to meet your needs--like a rice cake rather than a steak. 

It's been humbling recently to have to ask for help... and many friends and family have come through in big ways for our family... And God Himself has come through in big ways to meet our needs as well as our desires. Yet, it can be very easy to see the rice cake and still want the steak... So to speak;):)

We are so grateful for those who are being for our family the hands and feet of Jesus and helping us in this time! Praying God blesses and meets your needs too!! And may we together remember to rejoice and accept with gladness and gratefulness the rice cakes too--not just the steaks;)