Me: That chair looks like a throne.

Prodigal: It fits me, don’t you think.

Me: Sure, you are fit for royalty.

I had a busy day at the office, and my introverted self did not want to talk to anyone when I got home. The perfect night after this day was going to watch Netflix. I just wanted to indulge myself, and recharge from the day.

I decided on a foreign show to watch that night. Something different than anything I experience on a daily basis. It was another culture, another time in history, and different beliefs. I clicked on the play button for the show, and my attention was engrossed in the story line that was unfolding.

A prince had made a friend in the palace. This friend had been challenged for several days with certain duties she had to perform. They show her running around hectic and, pushing through all the demands she had. The prince noticed she had not been eating because of her taxing obligations. He took it upon himself to make sure that she had food to eat. Several scenes show him appearing at different times just to give her food. One time she only got a single bite to eat but it helped her at that one moment.

I started thinking how nice. That is very thoughtful that in a busy week someone stops to make sure that their was food available. That nourishment is vital to being able to replenish the energy needed to continue with the task at hand. I started thinking how a prince helping me like that would be wonderful with some of my obligations.

That it when it hit me immediately. I don’t have a prince feeding me, I have a king.

John 6:35

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

My king makes sure that when the world’s thoughts, and motives are surrounding me on a hectic day, He is their with a morsel of truth. I am running between appointments but a bible verse shows up that feeds me for the hour. I have several phone calls to make and a song comes on that helps me worship my God for one minute. I am trying to focus on task at hand and develop plans and, a person reminds me that God is there. I am weary after a long day and the Lord makes sure that my devotion shows me that He sees my weariness.

My king shows up day and night to make sure that I am feed.

It was not always like that. When I thought it was my kingdom and I ruled. I had to do it alone. No one was there to give me the smallest morsel of food or encouragement. I had to find it on my own.

I then acknowledge Jesus as the ruler of this kingdom and since then He reaches out in personal ways to make sure that I know He is watching and He cares. I never know when He will show up next, or how He will show up, but this I know. He has showed up so many days and, hours already that I do not doubt His love for me. Even when I do doubt His love at an especially difficult time, my king shows up then also.

How special that makes me feel, and how cherished I feel from that acknowledgement. God’s word is truth and, His promises are real. Some have not seen how our King really serves us. They think that cannot be true. I have to do it all on my own. Our king could not love me like that because of my faults.

The Lord does not love us for faults or perfection. He loves us just because we are part of his kingdom. He loves us because a great King would love those who He rules. A great King would make sure his subjects are not without support.

I went back to my show. I did not think that the woman had a better deal than me. I knew that my king and, the kingdom that I was in was far better and had so many possibilities. I could only pray that she would know that kingdom one day if she does not already. May you know what our kingdom is really like and the King that we really serve!

Matthew 6:11

Give us this day our daily bread.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org