I had a terrible day the other day. It all started around 10:30 a.m. in my cubicle. I’m pregnant. And I’m starving. I turn to my trusty brown-bag and start in on the apple. About 30 minutes later it hits me again and I go for the carrots sticks dipped in my yummy curry chicken salad. “A good protein burst,” I’m thinking. “That’ll do it.”

Nope. By the time 3 pm came around, the contents of my lunch were obliterated and a healthy chunk of my snack stash had vanished. When I left around 5 pm, I felt moderately satiated but terribly guilty. I’m talking weighted down with shame. What was wrong with me?

I moped around the house clipping coupons and flipping through books during the presidential debate hoping to stave away further hunger. To no avail. The appetite monster was after me and it seemed I was destined to live a life of radical gluttony and idiotic self-gratification. I felt like falling to my knees: “I am a sinner, Lord! I know!”

The next day, packing my lunch, a brilliant idea struck me. “I’ll pack two lunches. Mini-meals! One for the morning and another for the afternoon.” I haven’t had such a good day in a long time. When the hunger pains started at 10:30, there was no need to panic. I just zapped my oatmeal, chopped my banana and got ready for second breakfast.

I was reminded of Pippin in The Lord of the Rings, frantic with fear that needs wouldn’t be met on the journey: “What about second breakfast?” Merry: “I don’t think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.” How terrible and fearful for them! Thankfully, my Lord knows about second breakfasts and everything else I need, even if it takes me a bit longer to catch on.

It makes me wonder what other areas of life I struggle through, proclaiming myself a failure simply because I haven’t let God meet my own valid needs. What gifts do I refuse from God because I judge them prematurely? In what areas do I flounder when provision is awaiting me from above?

Pippin: “What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?”
Lord, you know I have so many needs—physical, emotional and spiritual—my elevenses, luncheons and afternoon teas. But I have nothing to fear, Father. Help me let you meet my needs on the journey, to the praise of your glorious grace.