Sundays are our busy days. This morning, like all Sunday mornings, we were up early for our 9:30am Worship Service. Jeremy preached this morning and did a fantastic job. Granted, I’m biased, but I must say that I’m so glad that I enjoy my husband’s preaching. He has an easy way of speaking that draws you in while he shares such good, solid Biblical truths. I’m also thankful that I got to see Sally this morning in church. She told me that she was going to come and she did and it was wonderful to have her with us.
Later this afternoon in between the busy, I took a walk with our kids down to the Bay. We are exactly one mile away and it’s a beautiful walk. Though windy, it was in the 50s and because we bundled up a bit, it was quite pleasant. While we were there, Ellee did what she loves best. She fed the birds.
Granted, they were just seagulls. And there was only one when we arrived at the docks. But within a few handfuls of her tossing them up an offering of old potato chips, soon enough there was quite a crowd. After she finished with the chips, she tore up a few slices of bread and finished with two biscuits from Popeyes. The birds came, were well fed and finished up their treat contentedly.
And it reminded me, as birds always remind me, that I’m not to worry. In Matthew 6:26-34 there is this beautiful passage about not worrying. Jesus shared these words during his Sermon on the Mount, surrounded by people who most certainly had their concerns and worries. They were people from way back then, but they were also people just like us. They lived and worked and strived and struggled just as we do. And Jesus spoke truth to their hearts as he said just what they needed to hear.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
And if you were wondering, yes. You are way more valuable than the birds. Jesus finished the passage by reminding us that God knows our needs. And in verse 33, he gives us our replacement for worry. He says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
And for me, it was good for my heart to read through these words again today. Because I know this week that there are things and needs that coming up for our friend Michael. Most likely will be his shunt surgery whenever the doctors feel that he will be ready. And with that, there would come a natural cause for worry. But God knows Michael’s needs, just as he knows your needs and mine. And he promises that when we trust Him and seek the things that we should instead of worrying, He will provide everything that we need.
And this will be my prayer for the coming week. When we are tempted to distract our minds with worry which produces very little, instead, let’s consider the birds of the air and know that just as God provides for them, He is faithful to continue providing for us as well.
Laura Herr Photography 