blessings on every corner

We are now the proud (and humble) owners of a 2005 Honda Odyssey EX minivan!!!! It has at least three times more storage/space and everyone is more comfortable, and most importantly safer. I think Nate was enjoying his comfy car seat view the most, and Mae loves that she can walk around inside and get in and out by herself. I love that I no longer have my knees into the dashboard because of Nate's rear-facing car seat and that my head doesn't nearly touch the windshield, causing much carsickness. Jon enjoys not having his seat kicked while driving - Mae has incredibly long legs and she was running out of room in the backseat! I'm also grateful that I don't have to shuffle strollers and groceries on a weekly or daily basis. We no longer will have to take two cars on long road trips and the kids are much safer in a backseat with side airbags and more room.
We started rearranging our budget after receiving a pretty big refund on our taxes AND a lower mortgage payment with a refund check from overpaying on our property tax last year. It was amazing how many things we were able to cut out and cut back on after we re-evaluated our finances. We are now able to juggle a car payment in our monthly bills. The minivan is a blessing, but the most amazing part of purchasing a car was how it came about in the past month. We were faced with a few different options and turned down at a couple of different turns, but it showed us that God surely is in control and he truly wants to bless us in His timing. When I would report back from mission trips I always commented that one of my favorite and most blessed aspects was raising the support before the trip. I realized how giving, willing and encouraging people were in our church and community. I realized that blessing again in the process of finding the financing option for our new van.
Of course we were hesitant and apprehensive about taking on a monthly payment, but we prayed, prayed, prayed and sought out God's will and timing for such a big purchase. While reading during my devotional this week I came across a familiar passage that spoke to me in a different way. The devotional book is about praying names of Jesus and the focus for that week was, "I AM the bread of life." So, the story camp up about multiplying the loaves and fishes from the sixth chapter of John: "Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish." We know that God is the one who supplies all our need, but I never thought how God takes care of those things that we want as well. In certain ways I have thought about how God knows the desires of my heart, but I never thought about how God truly does care about my wants no matter how "earthly" or trivial may seem to Him. I know for a fact that my treasure doesn't lie here on this earth as Matthew urges in chapter 6, vs. 19:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

We don't have to settle for earthly treasures, because earthly possessions are like bread that will spoil. Jesus said in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."I am thankful that we have a heavenly Father who cares for our wants and our needs and knows just when and how to meet them. I praise my God who is able to care for all of my needs, both physical and spiritual. I offer thanks for all the ways that God has fed us. And I confess any tendency to settle for less than Jesus has to offer.