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The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain.
Joshua 5:11 ESV

Like many widows, I developed a survivalist mentality.

I had to make it to the day after. The day after the funeral arrangements, the day after the memorial service, the day after the first Thanksgiving, the day after the first Christmas, the day after the first anniversary, and so on. And then the second year, the pattern repeated. Patterns are important. We learn from patterns.

Many years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the aquarium in Sydney, Australia. It is a fantastic aquarium, and we spent many hours there. At one point, I had wandered away from the group and found myself staring at two stingrays. They were magnificent! They were similar in that both of them had skin which was a beautiful brown camouflage pattern. But on one of them, the pattern looked like it had been outlined with a thick black marker. I found myself asking God – Okay, God, which one did you create first? Did you create the one with the beautiful pattern which was outlined and said, “Hmmm… now I will make one without an outline so it can hide better in the sand?” Or did you make the one without the outline first and then went, “Hmmm… that pattern is so pretty I am going to outline it so they see it better?”

It may sound like a silly conversation to have with God, but for me it is a very precious memory. I realized I had drawn so close to Him in my relationship, it felt very natural to have everyday conversations with Him. It also was a moment where I just worshipped Him as the Creator.

But most importantly, I realized I was starting to notice the patterns of our Creator, not just the literal pattern on the stingrays but also the pattern of His provision and blessing in my life.

My greatest blessing of which, is His presence in my life.

It is the pattern of His provision and blessing, which I have come to appreciate so much on the days after. Each difficult day we make it through, He gives us more faith. We walk daily with a God who leads us into victory. He leads us into the promised rest, as we learn day by day to trust him more. His intercession for us daily enables us to defeat our enemies of fear and hopelessness.

He leads us into the Promised Land.

How do we know? Because it is His pattern, one which is so clearly displayed in His Word. The pattern He lovingly displayed through His chosen people. I love the verse in Joshua which tells us the day after Passover, that very day; they were provided with the produce of the land. They wandered around, and they messed up, but He provided that very day!

Sisters, the same is true for us. Even if we wander, even if we mess up, He will provide.

I pray we will enjoy His greatest provision, His presence, this very day!

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You! You and You alone are our greatest provision! Keep us close to You and help us to have grateful hearts! In Your Son’s Holy and Precious Name. Amen.