Baby birds

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

April 29

I went out to check on the baby Robins this morning. They were all nestled quietly in the nest, but as soon as I stood on the bench to get a better look, up popped their little heads, mouths open waiting for food. I felt so bad. I am not their mamma and I can't feed them. I can't feed them or provide for them, It's not my job. I think the reason I love watching these little baby birds each spring, is it reminds me of how God takes care of us. Years ago, when I was in my early twenty’s I spent two years asking everyone I knew how to not worry. Fear and worry had consumed my life. It had stopped me from pursuing dreams, trying new things, it stopped me from living. When I prayed, I had peace, but the moment I lifted my head fear came rushing down. It was overwhelming. I could physically feel the weight of it. Finally, one night, on my back porch, all alone, with my bible on my lap, I cried out. I simply could not bear the burden of fear anymore. The world was crushing me. I felt like I was losing the battle. I begged God to give me a word that would ease my fear, something that would give me relief. I opened my bible and this is what I read.

Matthew 6:25-34

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life— whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

At that moment I decided to trust Him. I prayed and told God I would lay it all down and when I woke up in the morning I would choose to trust Him all day. I knew I only had enough faith to get me through one day. Honestly, I didn't have enough courage to promise any more than that. I was struggling so much financially I couldn't afford food. It was typical for me to not eat all day when I went to work. No one knew how hard things were for me, I had kept it to myself. So, when lunch came around I didn't even think about being hungry or food. I was simply trying to trust God. I wanted relief from fear more than I wanted food. I wanted peace. I wanted faith.

I was sitting at my desk and someone walked in and asked if I wanted half a sub. He wasn't sure why he bought a 12-inch sub. He mentioned that he only ever bought a 6 inch. With a puzzled look on his face, he left the sub on my desk and walked out. As tears of joy rolled down my face, I knew exactly why, and I thanked God! He took care of me just like that for so long I stopped counting. He was teaching me to trust in His love and provision for me.