As I mentioned a couple posts ago, this July I have steeped myself again in the history of the United States of America. In my reading I have come upon the word Providence over and over and over again. It’s everywhere. 

Originally, “God’s providence” meant God’s ability to foresee and wisely provide. It was describing one of God’s attributes.

By the 1600s and 1700s, especially among the Puritans and these early Americans I’ve been re-reading about, Providence (often capitalized) became almost a proper name for God.

You see sentences from that time that say things like:

“Providence has guided our cause.”

“We commend ourselves to the care of Providence.”

“By the favor of Providence…”

“If Providence wills it…”

Culturally, there was a strong taboo against “taking the Lord’s name in vain.” So using “Providence” allowed people to reference the divine authority without casually tossing around His holy name.

Today, Providence is rarely used in common English speech to mean God. And as the term has faded from civic language almost altogether, secular society has substituted it with more impersonal terms like “the universe,” “chance,” “luck,” “karma,” or “fate.”

Providence and the English word provide actually come from the same Latin root:

• pro = before
• videre = to see

So, literally, to provide is to see beforehand.

• When a parent packs snacks before a road trip, they’re providing because they foresaw a future need.
• When a neighbor checks on the elderly before a heatwave, they’re providing because they see a danger before it happens.
• When a grandparent sets up a college fund for their child, they’re providing because they see farther ahead than the next school year.

I’m an Enneagram 6. I am pretty good at preparing for things. And I have the purse to prove it.  But something I don’t feel as strong in is providing – the kind of providing I’m talking about here. 

Because preparing and providing aren’t the same thing. 

Preparing gathers resources, but providing notices what someone actually needs. 

Preparing can be checked off a list, but providing has to keep listening. 

Preparing is easier because I can do it alone. Providing – real providing – asks more of me. 

In a sense, preparing is about possibilities, but providing is actually about people. 

The synonyms for providing say a lot: giving, furnishing, supplying, delivering, feeding, distributing, doling out, handing, dispensing. 

In 1923 Kahlil Gibran said, “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” 

Real provision, it seems, demands our attention, not just our assets. 

So how do those of us who want to get better at providing do just that? 

Here are some simple ways:

• Notice people before solving problems.
• Stay curious after the preparation is over.
• Keep listening after we’ve checked the boxes.
• Leave room to adapt when someone’s needs are different than we expected.
• Ask, “What would help you right now?” instead of assuming we already know.

Most of us have experienced a moment of Providence we’ve been grateful for at one time or another. I can’t wait to hear about yours. And if you’d like some help participating in provision a little more often, I’d love to help. 

I’m working on it myself. 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

PS If you liked this post – or any others, I’d love you to pass me and my work on to a friend.  They can find out much more about me here if they’re interested!