Craig Clouston

 Our Daily Bread

January 6

Give us today our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11

The Ryersons were in for the evening. So upon hearing the doorbell, Christian asked his daughters if one of them was expecting a caller. “No, Dad,” they answered in unison.

Rising from his chair, he answered the door, surprised to find three young children pressed against a diminutive woman, trying to hide within the folds of her skirt. They peeked at him with shy smiles. “Excuse me, sir,” the woman began. “I saw the light in your windows. My car has broken down, and I would like to use your phone if I could to call for assistance.” She appeared to struggle with her own shyness but remained resolute about getting this matter resolved.

“Come in, please,” Christian said, waving his hand for them to enter. “There’s a fire in the hearth if the kids would like to warm themselves,” he added, winking at the children, who looked hopefully up at their mother.

“Yes. Go ahead,” she responded. “But behave yourselves, do you understand?”

“Okay, Mommy!” they hollered over their shoulders, running for the warmth emanating from the den.

Christian ventured, “Perhaps I can take a look at your car while you and the children remain here? I might just be able to repair it.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to put you out,” said the woman quickly.

“It’s no problem.” He assured her, grabbing his coat. “Which way down the lane and how far is it?”

†

God sends our daily bread as we need it in myriad forms.

Are we ready, like Christian, to be used to meet a need at an unexpected, and possibly at an inconvenient time in the name of kindness and compassion? Or more aptly defined, in the name of the Lord?

The Lord’s Prayer is not an empty petition to be recited by memory with no thought of its depth or meaning. How better to show the love of the Father than by the giving of ourselves rather than our possessions?

It’s far easier to offer our phone than our services. And being used as a blessing is not a requirement. But if this were your wife and children, would you not pray they find their daily bread?

Prayer

“May You find me willing to be used as someone’s daily bread today, Lord. Amen.”