A Small Bag of Fries and 3 Raisin Cookies
By Michelle Sierra, Life Climb Consulting LLC
Back in 2015, I found myself in one of the darkest seasons of my life. I had just suffered a devastating loss—not only the loss of my marriage, but also my home, my income, and my sense of security. It’s a hard thing to describe what it feels like to lose everything at once, except to say that all I had left was faith in God, a thin thread of hope, and the determination to survive.
At the time, I didn’t have enough income to rent a decent apartment, let alone cover daily living expenses. The little financial cushion I received through the divorce agreement ran thin quickly with all the moving costs and the new responsibilities of living alone. I had no family support system, just the Lord. My meals were simple and repetitive: a small bag of french fries I could get for free by completing a fast-food survey, and a pack of four oatmeal raisin cookies that cost ninety-nine cents. That was my daily meal.
Every dollar I earned went toward trying to stay afloat, but the bank fees and mounting costs seemed to swallow it all. I remember looking at my balance—negative numbers, again—and feeling like hope was slowly slipping away. I wondered if maybe God had forgotten me, or worse, if I had failed Him somehow.
But even in that wilderness, God was there.
He was there when I cried myself to sleep, and when I woke up determined to try again. He was there when I felt invisible. He was there when I had no one else to call.
And today, as our nation faces a financial climate that leaves many people uncertain about the future, I’m reminded of those days. Prices rise faster than paychecks, debts grow heavier, and fear whispers that there isn’t enough. Yet, the same God who sustained me through my season of lack is still the God of provision today.
In Matthew 6:31-33 (MSG), Jesus says:
“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
That truth never failed me. God knew exactly what I needed each day. It wasn’t always more money—it was peace, wisdom, and strength. He taught me how to depend fully on Him. And when He began to restore me, He also gave me a new understanding: provision is not only about receiving; it’s about stewarding.
When God blesses us—whether with finances, opportunities, or relationships—we must apply His wisdom to manage it well. Proverbs 3:9–10 reminds us to honor the Lord with our first fruits, and He will cause our barns to overflow. That principle still works today.
If you find yourself struggling right now, remember: God has not forgotten you. He still multiplies the little we have when we place it in His hands. Just as He did with the loaves and fishes, He can take a small bag of fries and three raisin cookies—and use it to reveal His glory.
Trust Him. Seek Him first. Listen for His direction. And when the provision comes, walk in wisdom. Because the same God who provides is the One who teaches us how to keep and multiply what He gives.
Until the next one,
