I met a missionary couple in Spain when I was there in April. Actually, they spent time in the south (I hope that’s right) before going to their place of service. They were really a neat couple. I was able to sit next to them at lunch one day while we had mexican food, and they were/are a delight to talk with.

At the end of the meetings, they told me, “If you and your wife ever want to come to xxxxxxxx, let us know. We’ve got a room you can have. If you give us enough notice, we get out of the house and you can have the whole house.” You know, I’ve said those things in those situations, and I have to confess, I’m not sure I truly meant it. I do not, however, doubt the sincerity of their offer.

A week or two after I got home, I received an letter from this couple. In it was a check and a note to use this money however I wanted to use it. Needless to say, it would have almost paid for my plane ticket to Spain.

Then over the weekend, my wife got the mail, and there was another letter from this couple. So I opened it, and inside was another check. The instructions were, “We felt led to send part of our tithe to your church.” And so over the weekend, our church deposited a nice check into our church’s account from a missionary couple in Western Europe.

This couple, I’ll just call them Joe and Jenn, have reminded me of the Spiritual practice of simplicity. Everything we have is a gift from God, to be cared for by God, and available for others. They have taught me that despite the fact I was hoping to go and encourage them, I myself have been given the privilege of being blessed by this beautiful couple. The irony is that simplicity was my topic for our weekend services.

Now Joe and Jenn, I know you read this blog. I want to say “Thanks!”. You have taught me by example a beautiful spiritual practice. Our church will know about it this weekend to re-enforce the thoughts from last weekend. I know you did it because you were led to but it was used by as a reminder of his provision and that complete trust and obedience in Him is all He wants of us; He will provide.

I finish this post with the words of Jesus from Matthew 6:25-34, NLT:

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today