Our Daily Bread

I have been a guest teacher in our local public school district for a few years now. (In case you're wondering, "guest teacher" is the more professional, politically correct name for a substitute teacher.) I have a lot of fun and I really like the flexibility it affords me. There have been some challenging moments, but I generally have had good experiences in the classroom. A couple of months ago I was asked to guest teach at a private Christian school in my neighborhood. I filled in for three weeks for a teacher who was recovering from surgery. The class was small, just 15 kids, and pretty well-behaved.

Every morning started with a Bible lesson. Quite a departure from the normal public school curriculum! The entire school also attends a weekly chapel service. It is here that our story begins. In keeping with the tradition of the school's denominational affiliation, everyone recites the Lord's prayer in unison during chapel. I memorized the Lord's prayer as a child, but I must admit that it isn't something I regularly recite or meditate on. I was a little nervous and pleasantly surprised that I remembered this passage as well as I did. I was also so amazed at how beautiful those children's voices sounded as they all prayed together.

The line of the prayer that really resonated with me was, "Give us this day our daily bread." I began to ponder those words and what they mean for my life. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow hasn't arrived, all I really need is my portion for today. I don't need to worry or fret about what may or may not happen. God is my provider. He will give me exactly what I need for this moment.

All too often I get in a hurry and start to think about what's to come rather than simply looking at what is happening right now. I get overwhelmed and the temptation to worry is huge! My imagination overtakes me and soon I've made a mountain out of a molehill. So, this week I am challenging myself to focus on thanking God for my "daily bread." He is always faithful and His portions are just the right size!

Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee. - Montaigne