“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil 4:6)
I watch the birds flit through the air in my backyard. There’s a cardinal in the tree. Its red feathers stand out among the branches and leaves of the tree. Some believe that cardinals represent the spirits of those who have passed. Maybe one of my grandparents or my uncle has come to visit. Others believe that a cardinal sighting for a single person is a good sign – it may be a sign of a future romantic encounter. I like the idea of that one, too.
A blue jay rests in the yard, its blue feathers bright against the green grass. Robins peck the ground, looking for grubs and worms that the recent rain brought to the surface. I walk back to my office, but even there, I hear the chirp chirp of the birds, so I open the blind to look out into the yard and watch as the birds and squirrels chase each other.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible has always been this one in Matthew 6:26-27: “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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
The Father’s love and care for us never cease to amaze me. I’m a worrier, and it’s a characteristic of which I’m not proud. Over the years, I’ve struggled to give my cares to God. I hold too tightly to the things of this world that weigh me down.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that it’s the focus of my cares that matters. I can choose to focus on the problem, or I can choose to trust that God will provide a solution. Jesus isn’t saying that we’ll never have concerns, but with his help, we can focus on the things that really matter. When I pray and read his Word, my focus moves away from myself and my worries and onto God and his promises for my life.
As I watch the birds play in the backyard, I understand the meaning of this verse in a new way. I cling to the promise that God cares for me and will take care of me – all of me. I say a quick prayer of thanks for the beautiful reminder. Things won’t always be easy, and I will have worries that press in on me. But the Lord will always be there, providing good things.
Dear Jesus, help me to trust you with the worries that press in every day. Thank you that you provide everything I need when I need it. Amen.