Living One Day At A Time: Trusting God With Our Needs

Picture of Nanny McPhee from the movie with the same name. — Living One Day at a Time: Trusting God with Our Needs. Photo from Philadelphia Inquirer.

“When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but do not need me, then I must go,” explains Nanny McPhee in the movie with the same name.

The children needed to learn to share, be helpful, apologize, be brave, and find faith. Although Nanny McPhee’s methods are unconventional, they are quite effective. This film teaches lessons for all of us to learn, and highlights needs that must be met if we are to grow and mature one day at a time.

Basic Needs

Just as we need air, water, and sleep to survive, we also need love, connection, and security to thrive.

Psychological Needs

Additionally, we have psychological needs; for example, feeling significant, showing our heart, and making connections.

Mental and Social Needs

We also have mental needs, like intellectual engagement, cognitive flexibility, and growth. And if we are to become balanced people, our social needs like communicating, contributing, belonging, and intimacy must be fulfilled as well.

Spiritual Needs

Meeting our spiritual needs is just as important. By acknowledging the Grace of God, we can satisfy our spiritual needs through His ministry and fellowship with His people.

When the realization of our need for Jesus manifests, His unconventional methods, like Nanny McPhee’s, fulfill our deepest needs. Sometimes, before we even ask, He graciously intervenes by sending us the Holy Spirit.

Lesson Learned

Same as Nanny McPhee’s misbehaving children, I too need to learn to share, be helpful, apologize, be brave, and find faith. Even as I tend to practical matters and implement necessary changes in my life.

I must cultivate holy habits daily and not just agree to behave only to receive a reward, but because I wholeheartedly desire to love God with all that I am and care for His people with all I have.

Tough road? Absolutely! Jesus tells us, “The Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:14 TLB). “Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33 TLB). But later in the same quote, He continues, “but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.”

We Are Not Alone

Even though Jesus, similar to Nanny McPhee, had to go, in contrast, He promised to send help. “I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth” (John 14:16-17 MSG).

God Provides

The Father knows all our needs.

Jesus reminds us, “Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than they are” (Matthew 6:25-26).

The Apostle Paul declares, “And it is He who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us” (Philippians 4:19 TLB).