Let me start by saying I am not a particularly religious person. I won't ask for your testimony; I don't go to church; my family doesn't say grace before meals. I believe in God and I pray to Him, but I am not an outwardly religious person. Having said that; I once had a moment with God that I will never forget.

We all have moments when it seems God is working for us. We have all had the experience whether we recognize it or not. The time when a friend you're thinking about just happens to call at the moment you need her. The time when you're down to your last dollar and five days to pay day, but you find a twenty-dollar bill in your pocket.

I have learned that God doesn't necessarily recognize needs the way we do. As our society continues to move in a materialistic, give-it-to-me-now direction, what we see as needs simply aren't necessities. What do we need? Do we need extra time? Do we need that new phone, the newest fashion, extra cash for morning lattes? If you live in modern society at all, these all seem to be needs. But what are our needs? What does He think we need? And how does He know when we need it?

I had a moment last year where it was clear what He thought I needed. It was clear it was His interpretation of my need because there is still a laundry list of things I think I still need. It was a simple moment, but one I will remember forever; and isn't that how it should be? Shouldn't we always remember His lessons and generosity?

On this particular morning, Adley and my little sister Madeline were modeling pajamas for a Web site. It all started going downhill early that morning when I put Adley in the bath. I got upset because she wasn't listening and was dilly-dallying. I barked some orders at her and she was reduced to tears. I felt a twinge of guilt about my behavior, but there was no time to waste - tardiness is not acceptable in my life. Everything cooled off and we eventually arrived at the photo studio (this was after one wrong turn and my blood pressure continued to rise).

Once we got there, I felt much better. The girls had about five or six different sets of pajamas. After they had completed the pajama shoot, the photographer asked if they would do a shoot with a doll house.

They were thrilled (especially Adley - she loves doll houses!). About five minutes into the doll house shoot, Adley grabbed her crotch and gave a look of sure desperation.

"POTTY! I HAVE TO GO POTTY!"

She has a bad habit of holding it until it becomes a matter of national security that she gets to a bathroom right away. Irritated that she once again had waited until the last minute and embarrassed that she was putting a standstill to the shoot, I grabbed her and rushed her to the potty.

As she sat on the potty, I scolded her for waiting so long to go. It wasn't healthy and now others were waiting on her. Here comes the moment...

Adley got off the potty, and as I pulled her shorts up for her, she patted my head and quietly said, "You're a good mommy."

“You’re a good mommy.”

There it was. My moment - God was speaking through Adley. He knew I didn't need more money (although I still think I do). He knew I didn't need that great camera lens I'd been dying to buy. He knew I didn't need people to move faster.

God knew I needed some assurance. My nastiness comes out when I am insecure. That simple and quiet phrase - "You're a good mommy" - is all I needed at that moment.

The lesson I will carry with me: God doesn't always provide what you want, but He always provides what you need.

Cat Koehler is married with two children. She works full-time.