On Chewing Gum & Trust

I offered him a piece of gum.

It’s my intentional way of starting a conversation on a plane. I sorta stink at small talk.

I told him, “I am a firm believer in gum during take-off and landing.” He chuckled. I added, “And seriously, if you want or need more, just ask. I’d be happy to share.”

He smiled, acknowledging my offer.

We begin to share little bits of our life. He's retired with a long list of really cool hobbies like photography and brewing his own beer. I tell him how I write and have two kids and a husband I can’t wait to get home to. We talk about my husband and where his job may take him. We talk about faith and Christianity, of the problem of “putting people in boxes” and failing to really love them. He told me of his friend’s journey to find a denomination where he felt free to worship.

After a few minutes of small talk that was actually really big talk (I told you I stink at small talk), we rested. I wrote; he read. I journaled; he napped.

Two hours into the flight, we hit some turbulence and the plane ascended (or descended I am not really sure) without warning. My ears felt the change in altitude.

I looked to the seat next to me where my new friend is pulling out a familiar wrapper and taking out half a piece of gum and placing it in his mouth.

I sit stunned. He kept back half of a piece of gum from the gum I freely gave him… from which I had plenty and would have gladly given him more.

He didn’t want to ask for more. He didn’t take me at my word that I would give him more. He wanted to be in control.

{Which, by the way, I do realize I was two notches up from a perfect stranger, and, who knows, I could have been sleeping when he needed gum again. That part is really not the point.}

I wanted to tell him, you could have had more gum if you had but asked. 

2, 3, 4 pieces and you settled for two mediocre gum-chewing experiences because either you didn’t take me at my word or you didn’t want to ask?

And I wondered… do I ever do that with God?

Do I ever stop short of giving my all because I don’t want to run out—of money, of time, of strength? Do I lack because I just simply do not want to take the time to commune with God and ask for what I have need of? Do I attempt to be in control of my life rather than trusting God and His promises? Do I choose to ration the little bit I have rather than living expecting God to make good on His promises?

Do I stop short of fully living for God because I don’t really trust Him?

The verse that’s been on my heart:

“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isaiah 58:10-11).

Pour out and you will be filled.

I think of the Israelites in the wilderness and the mystery of the manna. Sweet little wafers on the ground each morning—God’s provision. Don’t go out and collect it in the morning and go hungry. Hold back too much in case God doesn’t provide it the next day and it spoils (Worms! Gross!). Don’t set back extra on Friday for the Sabbath Rest and go hungry that day. 

Trust. But not just trust. Obedience too. And I think perhaps trust and obedience go hand in hand.

Trust God with each and every gift.

Seek His Daily provision.

Draw out from myself to those in need.

Obey God’s leading.

God WILL daily provide.

What God gives, He means to be used.

And do set aside for intentional rest.

Hmmm… I am thinking on this. I want to see God continue to move through this woman like He did in Pennsylvania. I know He shook me up and I can’t go back to being the same. And I know I want to hold back even now because of fear. I see all kinds of shortcomings in myself… failing to seek His daily provision by spending time in prayer and His Word daily, failing to obey His voice, failing to pour out because I am afraid I won’t have anything left, failing to take intentional rest. I want to trust and obey.

Care to think on this with me?? I would love you to chime in with your thoughts. :)

By Grace,

Amanda