Lean Seasons Leave Room For More

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV)

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts on unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:31-33, NLT)

The gift bags were recycled from the previous year, carefully saved and smoothed out. The gifts underneath our tree were modest. Some handmade and a few from the dollar store. We were grateful for extras that an organization had given families with children who had special needs. I know all the gifts that year were wrapped with prayers that they would be enough. But it was what happened after Christmas that I remember most vividly. For several days, our meals consisted of ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches. We had scraped together every penny to give our children a Christmas morning, and the pantry reflected it.

I remember standing in my kitchen, looking at those ramen packages, feeling like maybe we’d failed as young parents. Other families were enjoying holiday leftovers; we were doing our best with peanut butter. The shame of financial struggle during “the most wonderful time of the year” felt crushing in many ways. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV). As I prayed over those simple meals in that lean season, God began to show we incredible things I hadn’t seen before.

He showed me children who overlooked the ramen because they were still playing with their gifts. He showed me a husband who made peanut butter sandwiches feel like a feast with his gratitude and jokes. He showed me that my worth as a mother wasn’t measured in elaborate Christmas dinners but in the love that stretched our budget to bring joy to our children’s faces.

God promises to tell us incredible things when we pray, and that lean Christmas taught me some of them. I learned that children remember the spirit of Christmas more than the gifts. I knew that financial pressure can press us closer to God or push us away. We get to choose. I realized that some of the sweetest family memories are made with the simplest ingredients.

Philippians 4:19 promises, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Jesus” (NIV).

Notice it says “needs,” not “wants.” That Christmas, every need was met. We had shelter, warmth, food (even if it was simple), and each other. We even had some of our wants. While the elaborate feast or expensive gifts weren’t promised, what God provided was enough.

When we seek God’s kingdom first, our perspective shifts. We see provision where we once saw lack. We see blessing where we once saw burden.

Years later, though finances have improved, any time I eat a package of ramen it serves as a reminder. I do not doubt that God is faithful in feast and famine. You can make some of the happiest memories in the leanest seasons. When we call to our God, He tells us incredible things. I personally like how joy isn’t dependent on our bank account balance.

If money is tight this holiday season, you’re not alone, and you’re not failing. God promises to reveal incredible things when you call to Him. Your love is the most valuable gift you can give. Today, instead of focusing on what you can’t provide, pray and ask God to show you what you can: your presence, your creativity, your time, and your stories.

These gifts don’t require credit cards, but they do need something more valuable: your heart fully trusting in God’s provision.