God’s Provision in Unexpected Ways

Over the past three months in my role at OIM, I’ve been continually amazed by the level of need we see every day. When I first started, the volume of supplies we distribute daily, weekly, and monthly felt overwhelming. More than twenty loaves of sandwich bread can be handed out in just two days. Granola bars, socks, and bottled water are handed out by the hundreds. I felt a constant pressure to make sure we always had enough of everything, but I quickly realized that I couldn’t control every need or every circumstance.

Slowly, God began teaching me more about His provision. He has shown me, time and again, that He is the provider of what we need when we need it, if we are willing to trust Him.

There have been mornings when I’ve arrived at the office to find there is no bottled water left and no sandwiches remaining. One day a large donation of toiletries arrived, and I didn’t know how I’d find the time to sort it all. Every time I’ve thought there won’t be enough food, or there isn’t enough time to get everything done, the Lord has provided. Someone unexpectedly arrives with fresh sandwiches. A donor drops off cases of bottled water. A volunteer stops in at just the right moment and offers to help sort the donations. Repeatedly, God reminds me that the work does not depend on me alone.

Tuesday Door Outreach is one of those clear examples of God’s provision. Sometimes we don’t know if we will have enough volunteers or enough food to serve the lineup of more than 80 people waiting outside our doors for a food hamper. Yet somehow, there is always enough help and just enough food. Even when it seems impossible, the Lord takes what little we have and multiplies it, partnering with our efforts to care for each person who comes seeking support.

I’m realizing how easy it is to become consumed by trying harder, planning more, and holding everything together myself. In those moments, I forget just how big and generous God is. Often, the most important thing I can do is pause, pray, and then step aside so that God can work in ways I never could. He is teaching me to trust His provision instead of my own ability to control every outcome, and to bring our needs to Him in prayer with confidence that He is faithful to provide.

~ Sophia, Resource Coordinator

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash