Do not say to yourself, “My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.”   Deuteronomy 8:17

At a dinner, I was joined by two people I didn’t know. When their meal came, they bowed their heads and said a prayer. I smiled. “Seeing someone else pray before a meal is so nice.”

The young woman responded, “Well, why not? The food we eat comes from God.” I appreciated her simple, matter-of-fact answer.  We labor day after day so that we have money to purchase what we need to survive and to give us pleasure. We could easily say, “I worked for this. I earned it. It’s mine.”  The truth is, God created the earth and everything on it. God created us and gave us intricate minds and bodies. God gives us strength, initiative, intelligence, and the good sense to use them.  Yes, we work to earn money for food, but God gives us the ability to work to earn a living. God also causes the seeds to grow so food is available. God is indeed the source of all good things. 

Dear God, remind us that you are the source of our strength, power, and will. Amen.