"Give us today our daily bread." Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

As I sat on the beach enjoying the sunrise I watched a few seagulls wander aimlessly, looking lost and confused. I wondered why there were so few, considering the normal flocks that swarm overhead filling the air with screeching cries.

Then I realized they had no reason to be on the beach, much less to be excited or active. There were no people around to generate crumbs.

I'm pretty sure seagulls can smell potato chip crumbs a mile away. They stay at a distance until they think someone has something they want. Then they come running, or should I say dive bombing. Even if no birds are in sight, one tiny crumb falls on the sand and suddenly dozens of seagulls swoop down out of nowhere.

Memories of hungry seagulls interrupting our picnics at the beach made me chuckle until I felt God whisper to my spirit: Sometimes Tracie, you are just like those seagulls.

In Matthew 6, Jesus shares with His disciples how to pray, in what is commonly referred to as the Lord's Prayer.

Today's key verse is taken from the middle of the Lord's Prayer. In it Jesus reminds His disciples to stay in close union with Him through prayer, because He knows they need the spiritual nourishment and physical necessities only He can provide. Jesus calls His disciples to seek Him and trust His provision for their daily needs.

Unfortunately, there are times I don't follow this wisdom and instruction. I may go days or weeks, aimlessly wandering like those seagulls on a deserted beach — flying through my tasks and routines, without consciously seeking God.

But as soon as something happens that makes me mad, sad, worried, frustrated, discouraged, or stressed, I fly straight to God. Swooping in out of nowhere, I dive bomb into His presence. Expectantly, I wait for Him to give me a profound thought or an answer to prayer. In essence, to toss me some crumbs of spiritual encouragement.

Unlike a seagull who seeks temporary satisfaction from random crumbs, I want to be consumed with a spiritual hunger that's never satisfied. A hunger that pains me if I fail to get a daily portion of God's wisdom, love and guidance. A hunger that when met, replaces my discouragement, worry and stress.

I don't want to live with a seagull mentality, being satisfied with mere crumbs. Instead I want to enjoy the fullness of God's presence and a constant supply of His Word each and every day. What about you?

Dear Lord, forgive me for not seeking You daily. I ask for Your physical provision and spiritual nourishment to get me through every day. Help me develop an insatiable desire for Your Word and to spend time with You in prayer. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Visit Tracie's blog to find out how she made getting a daily portion of God a priority and enter to win a free MP3 of her conference message, Staying Afloat in a Sea of Stress.

Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles

The One Year Chronological Bible

Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out how to bring Tracie's Stress-Less Conference to the women of your church.

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Reflect and Respond:

Have you been putting God on the back burner, and then dive bombing for spiritual crumbs when life gets rough?

How can you begin to make God a priority, and seek Him daily for your every need?

Power Verses:

Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (NIV)

Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)