Fulfilling Our Needs 
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

My son is a spirited little guy.  Even as an infant, he knows what he wants, how he wants it and when he wants it.  My husband and I often find ourselves going through the checklist:  He’s dry, he’s fed, he’s slept, he’s held, no temperature, but he is crying and we have no idea why.  At these times, we are at a complete loss with what his needs are and how we can help him.

Already, I find myself wanting to provide and be everything my son needs.  I want to be able to care for him in such a way that he never needs to cry.  I want him to have everything his little heart desires.  I want to make him happy and fulfilled.  I have, however, come to accept that I will never be able to be everything for him, nor should I be. 

God is reminding me that it is His job to be my son’s everything, just as it is His job to be my everything.  Today’s Scripture verse says God will give us everything we need.  It doesn’t say He’ll give you parents or a spouse or a friend to meet all our needs.  The Lord asks us to trust Him and put our faith in Him completely.  Yes, He has given each of us others to journey through life with to support us, but it is our relationship with God that should be our number one priority. 

My husband and my family are an absolute priority in my life.  I work hard to be the best mom and wife I can be to help fulfill the needs of my family.  This being said, it is a relief to know I will never be able to fulfill all their needs for either of them.  As much as I don’t want to, I know that I will fail them to some extent, just as they will fail me.  That is why I must above all else seek God, for it is He who will fulfill all my needs and will never let me down.  It is the Lord who is steady and unchanging.  It is His love and grace that is fulfilling and perfect.  He is the one to whom we should look for sustainability and purpose.

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GOING DEEPER:

1. Where do you look to have your needs met?

2. Earlier in the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us not to worry.  What causes you to worry?  How can you give that worry to the Lord?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 37; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7

Kelly McFadden currently works at Mariners Church Southern California. She and her husband Michael are the new parents of Campbell McFadden


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