Amy Kelley, Dir. of Program Ministries, Gethsemane

Matthew 6:25-27 (CEB)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

Reflection: 

How many of us want to scream when someone says, “Just stop worrying”? MEEEE! It is easier said than done, right? Well, I’ve learned over the years that most of us have seasons of high anxiety and seasons of letting go and fully trusting God. This scripture used to be confounding to me. On one hand, Jesus says not to worry about what you will eat or drink, etc. Then, on the other hand, he says that the birds neither sow nor reap, but God feeds them. If I was sitting with Jesus and listening, I would be THAT person that raises their hand to ask questions. Like: But the birds have to go out and look for food, right? But the birds do gather supplies for their nests? I can’t just sit around and hope something comes my way…I have to work for my sustainability! Jesus knows that I’m a worrier, and he still loves me.

When I was a single mom of three kids many years ago, I worried so much. How were the bills going to all be paid? Am I going to make it to all the teacher conferences and school events? What if one of the kids needs to go to the doctor? I obsessed. One day I was sitting on the patio of my apartment watching the kids play in the courtyard. I was partly enjoying the moment and partly worrying if I was doing everything I needed to do to care for my kids. Mitchell, my oldest who was about 10-years-old at the time, rode his bike over to me. I just knew he was going to throw out the usual “I’m thirsty, mom!” plea. But this time he didn’t. This intuitive kid looked me straight in the eyes and said “What ya worried about? We’re not going too fast on our bikes.” I giggled to myself. He knew I was worrying about something. No need to tell him I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. All I could do was say “OK, good honey. Thank you!” As he rode off, racing a bird that had just left the porch above me, he said “Don’t worry momma. We got this.”

That’s when this scripture came to my mind. I grabbed my Bible and took a deep dive. God was trying to tell me that worrying does not add a day to my life. God’s provision is enough. Although it may not be how I had envisioned it, it is enough. We had a roof over our heads and enough food on the table. Yes, birds have to get their food or build their nests; but they do not worry. They know instinctively that what they need will be provided. God has planned the same for us. We don’t need to shorten our lives by worrying. God is telling us: We got this!

Prayer:

Hi God, 

Sometimes I just can’t put down the worry, fear, and anxiety that comes with this life. Help me understand that worrying does not help me or the people around me. Help me to understand the difference between caring and worrying; between planning and obsessing; between wants and needs. Great provider, I thank you for providing what I need. You are amazing and I love you. We got this! Amen.