"In this day, give us your strength,
Enough to last the day.
In work and play, in rest and sleep,
Enough to last the day.
Supply and feed us in our need.
Give us today our daily bread,
Enough to last the day.
The manna for our bodies, strength,
Enough to last the day.
Supplying, satisfying and full"
     ~Frances Ballantyne

Have you ever noticed that when you go camping or even on a trip, you take just what you need? Well, at least most of us do. Our family has always been reminded when we travel of what is really necessary for any given day. There is a wonderful simplicity that is held when you have just a couple of changes of clothing, a sleeping bag, a cup and plate, enough silverware to eat a meal and a good book. Even if you throw into the mix a tent, a flashlight, toothbrush, soap and toothpaste and a towel or two, it adds up to very little.

As Americans we are often shocked at the small refrigerators of people in other countries.Their kitchens are not equipped for large amassing of produce or frozen foods. Most people around the world buy what they need for a day or two at most. Living this way allows you to connect with the neighborhood grocer, the farmers at the market, your friends down the street.It is a way of living that promotes community and a reminder of the ways our lives are interconnected. I long for that at times.

We traveled this weekend and I was once again reminded of how little is really necessary for a good day, a really good day. A little bit of food, clean water, a book for passing the time, comfortable shoes for walking, a few layers of clothes to weather all the changes of season in a day.  It really doesn’t take much and yet we often spend so much of our time storing up food, money, resources for a rainy day that may never come. We don’t know. It could but we just don’t know.

So this prayer jogged my memory, and my conscience, to remember to ask for only what I need…enough to last this day. The scriptures are filled with stories of those unwise people who tried to hoard bread or money and ended up with rotting resources. It is a good lesson. The scriptures are also filled with stories of the wise ones who learned what it was like to treasure the gifts of this day, this moment in time, and to be thankful for having enough to last this day.

As for me, I want to follow the ways of the wise ones, savoring the simplicity of what is given for the good of this day. Tomorrow, who knows what will be needed? We’ll just have to wait and see.