Matthew 15:27-28 – She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. (ESV)

I have started to learn French. I use an app that has a competitive edge to it. I have been doing it for over a month now, and already, I am up in the Emerald League and fifth from the top of the leader board.

Unwittingly, I seem to have given up any daily sitting still and having a quiet time with God, as it has been supplanted by the challenge to win, to succeed at learning French via this app.

Anyone who has an addictive and inquisitive nature will know how easy it is to become overly fixated. My email address is out on the web database, so I find that I get disgusting emails advertising local free sex, or I am invited to look at pornography, which arrives unsolicited in my spam filter. Experience has taught me not to be clicking out of curiosity to find out what they may contain. I block them unopened and delete them from my spam folder, but they still return to tempt me when I am tired, curious, or willful. Avoidance of engaging even with the thought of these emails is the only way forward.

I am a part of a small group of intercessors that meets every week. For me, it is a spiritual oasis, akin to a counselling meeting as God sits with us. Fortunately, others in the group are better than I at reverence and worship that glorifies God and draws us into His presence in due time. We pray as we believe that we are being led. This takes time as we wait upon God, and we are rewarded by peace, encouragement, and sometimes, words of knowledge and prophecy.

Today, our dog, Daisy, was lingering in the kitchen at breakfast scrounging for crumbs. She has FOMOFF (Fear Of Missing Out on Free Food). Wherever food is, she can be found attempting to receive.

I missed this week's meeting of intercessors, so through witnessing my dog's FOMOFF, I suddenly became aware that I, in turn, was in need of being fed for myself, not by guilt but by hunger — to gather up whatever crumbs that God might be willing to share with me. Then, today's Scripture came to mind, so French has had to wait!

How about you? What has been taking the place of quiet reflection before God today? It's not too late. Join with me to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to the table where we can once more gather God's life-giving crumbs.

Prayer: Lord, we come now ready to hear and receive from You today. In Your mercy, bring to us Your table and highlight the crumbs that we may gather to cleanse, heal, deliver, and restore in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
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