God's Abundance

One way that I connect with God is by walking in nature. It gives me an opportunity to think, reflect and to pray. Recently, I was walking beside the lake at Fall Creek Falls State Park. I was surrounded by water on one side and trees decked out in fall colors on the other side. The path was littered with leaves and crunched as I made my way around the lake.

I had a heavy intention on my heart that I had been praying about for days. I found myself wondering if God was listening to me or if my prayers were making a difference. I was praying for strength, guidance and courage for this particular situation. I questioned if it was possible for God to provide everything that I needed and how it would happen. At that moment, the wind picked up and leaves began to float down around me. God placed in my heart that his love, his mercy, his blessings and his graces were more abundant than the leaves falling around me or the infinite number of leaves hanging in the trees. The same overabundance I see in nature comes from a Father who shows that same generosity towards each one of us.

I realized that I often pray from a place of scarcity. A place of wondering if God will hear and answer my prayers. God is a Father of abundance. He provides more than I can ever imagine in a million different ways in each moment of the day. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “ I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” An abundant life is one that is abounding in fullness of joy and strength for the spirit, soul and body.

Sitting in Mass, I was reminded that God’s abundance is present in the Holy Eucharist. Time and time again the bread and wine are transformed into his body and blood. There are a multitude of tabernacles all over the world containing the body of Jesus. Each Mass is an example of Jesus’ abundant love as he sacrifices himself on the altar over and over again for you and I. His love is constant.

God’s abundance is evident throughout our faith. In the Scripture passage about the loaves and fishes, those who were the closest to Jesus doubted it was possible to feed so many people. In his abundance, Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes so that baskets were overflowing even after everyone had eaten and were full. God can do so much more than you and I can imagine.

Do you live in the abundance of God’s graces or do you find yourself living in scarcity? Take time to walk or sit in nature and reflect on the many leaves around you. Ask God to open your heart to see that his love, his mercy, his blessings and his graces are more numerous than the leaves that surround you.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches

of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Jennie is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry, she now equips and encourages middle-life moms to reconnect with who they are and their unique God-given purpose so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.