Autumn here in Italy is a special season, one of my favorites! In small towns, like ours, the smell of wood smoke hangs in the crisp, clean air. Grapes are fermenting into fine wines. And olives, pressed into green gold, glisten in their bottles.
But as an American, my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. Even though we no longer “celebrate” the holiday now that our kids grown and gone and Hubby works. I still consider it the greatest “American” holiday!
We have so much to be thankful for. For all that has happened and all that the Lord has done. And for all that could have happened, but never did. Day by day, year after year, we’ve seen His provision and His care – and His Providence.
God’s Providence
We’ve seen His Providence in the good times and the bad.
In the book and movie Anne of Green Gables, the elderly Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert (brother and sister), from Prince Edward Island in Canada, had decided to adopt a boy. Matthew, taciturn but sensitive, had a bad heart and would need help.
By mistake, the orphanage sent Anne, a young girl who thought she had finally found a home and family. Matthew was immediately taken with the strange little girl. But the haughty and pragmatic Marilla, who thought a girl was useless to them, wanted to send Anne back to the orphanage.
But they decided to keep Anne and fell in love with her. And in the end, Until Matthew said it was a lucky mistake that the orphanage sent Anne instead of the boy they wanted. To which Marilla replied, “It wasn’t luck. It was providence. He knew we needed her.”
Curious, since I’d never thought much about providence before, I looked it up. “What,” I wondered, “is the difference between provision and providence?” And I learned that this seldom-used word makes all the difference in the world.
Provision is having our basic needs met, and that’s a wonderful thing. But providence goes so much deeper. Provision can come from any source. And with diligent work and prudence, we can even become the source of our own provision.
Only God provides providence
But providence is a supply that can only come from the hand of God.
It indicates God’s special care and guidance. And His foresight in directing the affairs of the universe or His benevolent care of us.
It’s God doing what only He can do. Providing in ways that show His sovereignty. Preventing what He knows must be stopped. And as with the Cuthberts, sending not what we want, but what He knows we need.
Chills run down my spine as I think about that scene. “He knew we needed her.” I’ve had many moments like that in my life, and I’m sure you have too. Times when we’ve clearly seen the hand of God at work. Him knowing what only He could know, doing what only He could do.
Recognizing providence
But how can we recognize providence even in troubled times?
The world is facing troubled times of war and death, disease and poverty. Evil grows stronger every day. How can we see God at work in a world that has gone so wrong? And even learn to give thanks in such times?
King David knew such fear and trouble. Scholars believe that he wrote many of his Psalms while in hiding, exhiled and abandoned. Including the well-known Psalms 23 and 27.
His own son had taken the throne. Enemies hunted and threatened from all sides. Yet even these Psalms overflow with thanksgiving, gratitude, and trust.
For David knew God’s providence. He had seen the Lord protect him and keep him safe, even in impossible circumstances. And he had learned that the Lord is a safe shelter DURING the storm, a strong fortress THROUGH times of distress. And a hiding place IN a world gone wrong. He knew that even if everyone else forsook him, the Lord wouldn’t. So he sang songs of praise and proclaimed that he always would.
Let’s always remember to thank God for His wonderful gift of providence – past, present and future. He always knows exactly what we need!
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
📷 Image credits: pumpkins; man praying; gift
Signora Sheila 
20 responses to “Giving Thanks for Providence”
Thank you for these encouraging words. Our God is faithful in the darkest of times. Praying you are continuing to feel better physically.
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Oh yes, Karen, God is always faithful. No matter how dark things seems. And yes, I am feeling much better. Both the orthopedic doctor and the therapist say that I’m at a great point, thank the Lord. He is so good!
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Amen, my friend! With more than a few decades behind me now, I can see God’s providence at work in my life on a number of occasions. My heart does fill with gratitude and joy for the ways he’s provided, guided, and given me what I needed, not necessarily what I wanted. With the psalmist I praise God: “You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.”
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I know what you mean about having many decades behind, Nancy! But the awesome thing is that we can see God’s provision and providence all throughout them. We truly do have so much to give thanks for!!
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Amen, my friend!
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“Empty nesters” ourselves, my wife and I don’t get crazy with entertaining for the “big three” (Easter, Thanksgiving, & CHRISTmas), but we still recognize them. Often with a simple meal, and just as often with another couple or close friends with no place else to go. So enjoyed your post Sra.
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Sounds like our holiday celebrations, JD. It just doesn’t make sense to me to go crazy cooking more food than the two of us can eat. We usually share the meal with another couple too, or a few close friends. Unless, of course, we’re invited to their house. The big 3 are special and so meaningful, but we prefer our new, simpler way of celebrating them!
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Beautiful reminder, Sheila. Too often we focus on provision instead of Providence.
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Thank you! And you’re right, we do tend to overlook God’s providence. By his great love and mercy he provides exactly what we need – not always what we want!
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Wow! This is really thought provoking! Thank you for sharing and explaining the difference! :)
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Thanks TR! Providence is thought-provoking. Mind boggling actually, as it points out God’s omniscience. How awesome he is!!
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Sheila, Thank you for this post. I had never considered the difference between provision and providence. Thank you! I’m glad that you’re remembering all that you are thankful for even though the holiday is not in Italy. I’m glad that you are celebrating and giving thanks in your heart. Many blessings to you both. Karen
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Thanks Karen, neither had I. But I was so blessed over the discovery. And guess what? This year we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. A younger missionary couple in our church fixes a huge meal. They’re young and energetic. It’s an outreach activity, and we usually have about 60-70 people in attendance. We, along with many other helpers, will be going to give a hand with preparations on Saturday and praying that many guests will have their hearts touched by God’s great love!
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Oh my what extreme Providence he has shown to me this past year. God has been amazing in my life and I thank you for clarifying between provision and Providence. It is indeed Providence that he has had on me and my wife as we battle this cancer. He has been so merciful to me. We serve an awesome God
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Oh Pete, I didn’t realize that you and your wife are battling cancer. That’s tough. It’s in such times that we need to really understand God’s providence, isn’t it? Our omnipotent and omniscient God knows just what to send or not send, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. I’m so glad you have found his mercy and providence enough to see you through, and i rejoice with you!
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Thank you Sheila. It has been an incredible journey and God has Draw Me Closer to his side than I ever been through this battle with cancer. My wife has been an amazing caregiver. God has been very merciful to me.
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That’s a great testimony Pete. But I especially like how you say that he has drawn you closer to him. So often we hear “God has drawn closer to me in this.” As though God had gone somewhere. He’s always been right there with us, still is, and always will be. We just lose track of him sometimes. Good to see you counting your blessings with your faithful wife by your side! God is good!
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Yes God truly is awesome and so is his providence! How wonderful that you have seen it throughout your cancer ordeal. I too have seen it during these months since my fall down the stairs and surgery. It is particularly in such times that we need to remind ourselves that really is in full control of everything! He is so good!
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Oh, I love this! Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving, Sheila!
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Thanks Lynn, I too was happy to realize just how great providence really is!! Hope your Thanksgiving was a happy one!
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