Recognizing Your Stepping Stones: Finding Abundance in the Mess

What is the Difference Between Worldly Abundance and Spiritual Abundance?

Worldly abundance is often defined as a "very large quantity" of things like time, money, or patience. However, the problem with "more" is that there is never a ceiling; extra time is eventually filled and extra money is spent, causing that sense of abundance to slip away.

In juxtaposition, spiritual abundance is about God’s grace being sufficient even in the middle of a mess.

I know it’s hard to stay calm in the mess … to find peace in the mess … to stay focused in the mess.

The mess is overwhelming and all-consuming sometimes.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) is one of the most recognized passages of the Bible. In our simplified English translation, it is easy to interpret this as clearing your mind or sitting quietly. It is so much more than that. It is a lesson in spiritual abundance. It’s understanding that in the middle of the mess, God still sees you and loves you. He has laid the groundwork or stepping stones for you to make it through this mess. Be still is a call to fully let go.

What Causes a Scarcity Mindset?

A scarcity mindset is the feeling that there is "not enough"—not enough time, money, or patience to get through the day. It can be brought on by living through a true scarcity, or even a fear of scarcity due to life’s circumstances.

This scarcity mindset creates a fog in your life. This fog can be so thick that it creates a cloud between you and God, making it impossible to see Him even though He is still there.

We often get stuck in this mindset because we are looking for a "burning bush" or a giant miracle, and when we don't see one, we feel God has gone quiet.

But silence is often just God laying the groundwork. He is placing “stepping stones” along your path to provide you with the gift of spiritual abundance.

The Struggle with "The Plan"

I see this play out often with my husband. Chris is a planner by nature—meticulous, driven, and, by his own admission, not exactly gifted in the area of patience. Years ago, when he was living paycheck to paycheck, he couldn’t afford to be impatient. But now that his career has taken off, he has the means to "finagle" his way into getting what he wants. Having the resources to fix things yourself makes it much harder to wait on God.

Two years ago, we decided to move closer to family with a plan to build a home on seven acres of land. While we saved for the down payment, we rented a house in town and began the long process of designing our future.

The Clash of Wills

From the start, our visions were at odds. Chris had a massive list of "must-haves" and a high price tag he was willing to pay. I, on the other hand, was wary of a massive mortgage; my only requirement was that the house be paid off in 15 years.

As we researched builders, the "scarcity fog" began to roll in. We worried we didn’t have enough money for the infrastructure, and at 50 years old, we felt the clock ticking on our 15-year payoff goal. The wait was grueling. It forced us to strip away our wants and ask: What do we actually need?

The Answer in the Numbers

After a year of researching and waiting, we finally asked a builder for a bid on a modest, 1,800-square-foot home. The wait for that number was nerve-wracking. To manage the anxiety, Chris went into "Plan B" mode—driving through neighborhoods, scouring the market, and running "what-if" numbers for every possible scenario.

During this time, my prayer was specific: "Lord, if we aren't meant to be on that land, let the bid come back so high that we can’t overcome it." I knew my husband. I knew that if the bid was even remotely "close" to our budget, we would find a way to hustle and force it to work. I didn't need a nudge; I needed a closed door.

From Scarcity to Abundance

Three months later, the answer arrived: the bid was $100,000 over our maximum budget.

In that moment, the fog cleared. I didn't feel disappointment; I felt peace. I thanked God for the clarity of that "No."

The "stepping stones" God had been laying finally became visible. Within weeks of walking away from the build, we found a brand new, existing home for sale. It was twice the size of the house we planned to build and—in a beautiful twist of divine math—it was $100,000 under our budget.

God wasn't being silent during those two years of waiting. He was simply moving the stones into place.

How does the Hydrangea teach us about God’s provision?

The hydrangea is a beautiful example of abundance because it is a cluster of hundreds of small blooms on a single stem.

I see the stem as a representation of our life; and the petals, which are actually sepals (modified leaves) are the moments in our life. These sepals adapt their color based on the soil they are planted in, turning blue in acidic soil or pink in alkaline soil. Just as the flower adapts to its soil, God gives us the grace to adapt to our current season, whether that is grief, busy parenting, or career shifts.

How to Receive the Mercy of God?

There is nothing you “need” to do in order receive God’s mercy. Mercy is freely given. It is a gift from God. You just have to clear the noise in your life so you are open to welcome God’s mercies in your life.

Abundance is a mercy given by God, but just like all mercies, abundance isn't usually one giant miracle; it is a "cluster" of small mercies found every day. These are "stepping stones" that God places in our path—sometimes even before we realize we need saving. Even when we feel "forsaken" or angry, God provides these stones of grace not because of our works, but because of who He is.

When you look back on your life, can you see the stepping stones God has laid in your path? Would you have made it through that season without those stepping stones?