When paper towels are a luxury...

I was looking around our blessed home the other day... at all the wonderful blessings the Lord has provided.  What caught my attention was our role of paper towels, which I had just told one of the boys to grab one to clean up a spill.  It occurred to me that not too many years ago paper towels, paper plates, paper napkins, facial tissue, plastic baggies and the like were all luxury items in this blessed household.  I reminisced about that era when my husband had lost his job and was working at whatever odd job he could find to provide for his family.  We had $35 per week for groceries- and that included diapers, baby food, etc.  All through that season, God proved faithful to provide for our needs- food, shelter, clothing, heat, and our faith in Him and who He is grew by leaps and bounds.  I wouldn't trade that season of life for anything, although it was so difficult at times.  Well, as time passed, my husband was found a job that has provided everything we 'need' and many things we 'want' as well... I still remember that first shopping trip when I felt the freedom to purchase a roll of paper towels just because it would be handy to have them.  I'm sure that other shoppers thought I was weird as I pulled them off the shelf with a goofy grin on my face (I mean, really, they were $0.75).  It has been a few years since that day, and we are still so very blessed at the Lord's provision of our want's as well as our needs, but as I look around it is always the paper towels that give me the most satisfaction and remembrance of God's mighty blessing...

Praise the LORD.

I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
~  Psalm 111