This serves as a reminder that just as God has provided for the daily needs of the Israelites and hummingbirds, so too will He provide for ours. But there is work involved to receive His provisions. And yes, many times there will be grumbling and complaining as we don’t always like what we’re called to do or the challenges we must face in preparation for what God has planned for our lives. Have you ever looked back to notice the lessons learned, information gained, or connections made during a trying time in your life? That was no accident. God can always bring something good out of the bad, using it as preparation for His plan. No matter how lost we become, or how many detours we take, we’ll always be given something from the experience that will help us to grow and give us the courage we need to keep moving forward, even when we slip up again. Pick yourself up and start moving forward. His plans are good and he will give you what’s needed to be prosperous in the plans laid out for you.      

varied backgrounds that I would not have otherwise crossed their path had God not put them in my life. I’m only beginning to see now how everything has worked together to prepare me for where I am. We need to learn to be patient and attentive as we wander through the wilderness of life; there are lessons along the path to learn before advancing. As we gather the manna of instruction and guidance provided for today, we should trust the journey God is leading us on and follow His instructions. 

This morning I couldn’t see the mountains in all their glory standing tall just a few miles from my home. Without a doubt, I knew they were there. But today a thick fog was preventing me from seeing them.
It’s like a thick brain fog made up of worries, troubles, and distractions that sometimes prevent me from seeing God. In my stubborn attempt to be self-sufficient, I try to muddle through the fog on my own. But the truth is, the less I focus on God and rely on his strength to face the worries of my life, the thicker the cloud of fog becomes and the further away from him I feel.
Just like knowing the mountains hidden by the fog are still there, I know God is as well. It’s just when I put him out of sight; many times, he’s out of mind. I don’t like the separation this cloud creates in our relationship. When I’m not seeing or hearing God in my life, I know it’s time to pray and return to his word so the Bright Morning Star will burn away the cloud of fog separating us. It’s like when the morning sunrise burns away the fog hiding the mountains. When the sun rises, it heats the air and ground, warming the dew so the cloud evaporates. Christ the Son shines on our soul,  warming our heart, changing our focus, and evaporating the distractions that take our attention away from him. 

     It was a sunny afternoon as I walked through a small-town festival taking in the sights and sounds.  After strolling through art exhibits and vendor booths, I decided it was time for dinner. Checking out the corn dogs, Texas BBQ, street tacos, turkey legs, homemade tamales, and fried corn-on-the-cob along the food truck row, the choice was a difficult one.  Being a lover of food, I wanted it all! 
     I spotted a small pushcart off to the side as I approached the end.  It displayed the most beautiful candy apples I had ever seen.  The dark, ruby-red shells of the apples glistened in the sunlight.  Glancing up, it was obvious the kind-looking man standing at the cart had noticed the sparkle in my eyes. 
     “Sweetest apples in the county, right here,” he said as he stretched out his arm holding one just for me.  The look on his gentle old face was not that of a hard sale.  It was more of a warm, no-pressure invitation.  One I could not resist.
     Taking a few bills out of my pocket, I pay the man, motioning for him to keep the change.  Holding the cash in one hand, he smiles and bids me farewell with the other, saying, “Thanks!  Have a blessed day.”
     I found a quiet place around the corner to sit and enjoy my purchase.  It had been years since I had eaten a candy apple.  I went for the first bite.  My teeth just slid across the candy surface without breaking through the ruby-red.  It was time to hold firm, the stick with one hand and the top of the apple with the other, and just go for it!  Taking a firm bite out of the center, the candy shell broke and delicious apple juice ran down both sides of my mouth.  Aah, the sweetness of the crisp apple mixed with the crunchy cinnamon candy was to die for!  I took another bite. 
     Sitting in my happy place, I had to chuckle.  Once again, I found myself eating dessert before the main meal.  Friends and family are always razzing me about this peculiar habit. My chuckle turned to a smile as I took another bite, eyes closed this time.
     The words, “Taste and see that the Lord is good…,” filled my thoughts.  “…blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”  These seventeen words from Psalm 34:8 have always been a favorite verse.  Rightly so, as food is one of my favorite things. 
     Thoughts drifted back to times in my life when I experienced another type of hunger, a strong internal longing for something more.  Sometimes the desire was known, other times not.  Searching revealed I was missing the peace and love that only comes from God.  Flipping through the Bible pages, I would search for His truths just like I walked through the fair searching for something desirable to eat.  One turn of the page and there it would be in an unexpected passage.  Words that filled me with joy.  The more I tasted His Word, the more I learned of His satisfying truths. 
     So just go for it, eat your dessert first.  Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Let those delicious juices of His love run down your cheeks.  After dessert, you can go for the meat.  Feeding your intimate relationship with God through reading and prayer that will fill your heart with the hope and joy that only He can give.