Sunday's Extreme Makeover Home Edition was for a family whose man of
the house had lost his job earlier in the year. As a result of the
job loss, the family was homeless and living in a shelter when the
show rescued them.
I saw tears in Tim's (dh) eyes and felt them in mine several times
during the 2 hour episode. Only six months ago, we were dealing
with the same thing - we were not homeless, but we were jobless.
Even this many months later, we cannot forget the pain and fear.
In the middle of the episode, Tim , who was holding the baby and
stroking her hair, said with a catch in his voice, "I hope I can
always take care of all of you."
I know he will, because I know that God will.
This is God's promise for us:
"And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not
worry about {your} life, {as to} what you will eat; nor for your
body, {as to} what you will put on.
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
[Say that last line out loud. You know it's true!]
"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no
storeroom nor barn, and {yet} God feeds them; how much more valuable
you are than the birds!"
[Watch the birds that come to your yard. They do not store up their
food. They have to find it daily. God provides even for them.]
"And which of you by worrying can add a {single} hour to his life's
span?"
[I hear Jesus' sense of humor in that last line.]
"If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry
about other matters? "
[To God, adding an extra hour to your life is as easy as adding a
spoonful of sugar to your morning coffee. If you can't do that very
simple thing, why worry about anything?]
"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but
I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like
one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is {alive} today
and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more {will He
clothe} you? You men of little faith!"
[I grow daylilies. Each daylily opens for only one day and then
closes that bud forever. Whenever my daylilies open, I say
aloud, "Even King Solomon in all his finest was never dressed as one
of these." Inside the lilies are beautiful details. If God dresses
these flowers, which are only open for one day, in such loveliness,
then how much more will He take care of you?]
"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do
not keep worrying."
[Of course, you need to shop for groceries and plan your meals, but
Jesus is saying that you do not need to worry and obsess over these
needs. Focus on God, focus on God's work, and He will provide your
basic necessities. Have you ever been naked, without a stitch to
wear? Have you ever starved? Let those worries go.]
"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but
your Father knows that you need these things. "
[I think Jesus spoke tenderly when He said, "Your Father knows that
you need these things." He knows. He cares. He loves you.]
But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you." (Luke
12:22-31)
[Seek God. Let Him take care of the details.]
This was a passage that I needed to remember. It is one that I turn
to quite often, for I find it quite easy to worry. My worry is
about finances. We have never starved or been without clothing, and
yet I can worry the night away if I don't catch myself.
It is at 3am, if something wakes me up, that the devil will whisper
worries in my ear. If I listen to him, I will stay up all night,
tossing and turning on my bed, worrying about taxes, bills,
insurance, health, groceries, etc.
If I pick up my Bible and read Luke 12:22-31, Jesus speaks to me.
He says the words above. "Do not worry," He says. It is then that
I remember that I am loved by a caring God.
He knows that I need these things.
Lori Seaborg
