Tag Archives: Matthew 6

The Zinnia Fields

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The Father seems to speak to my heart often through His creation.  It has especially loud over the last several months.  This was no exception.

We visited a lovely zinnia field at a local orchard the other day.  The field was awash with colors beyond imagination.  As the flowers softly danced in the gentle breeze, some lovely little creatures visited them.

Hummingbirds, bumblebees and a plethora of butterflies flitted back and forth from flower to flower with not a care in the world.  Little did they know that there was craziness in our world.  Their goal was simply to gather nectar and enjoy their flights!

 

I tried to capture several pictures and as my husband and I walked along the paths; we noticed something at the end of the field that we could not see from the very beginning.  It was another field.  Brown and barren mostly.

But…

We watched a butterfly make its way out of the abundance of flowers and head toward the what appeared to be an empty field.  We followed it.

And then we saw them……

Amongst all the brown and dusty soil there appeared many zinnias.  There was not a field of them, but a dotting of sorts, like a polka dotted tablecloth set for a picnic.

And the butterfly knew the field had value.  

The fields were right next to one another.  It reminded me of the pandemic. 

Scarred, barren, left alone, confused, misunderstood….

The flowers were separated from their kin, lonely and looked as though they had no job.

And yet.

They were thriving.  They had value.  Their life was important.  They were cheerful.  They were still focused on their purpose.

Like us.

Now.

I was reminded of the scripture where Jesus shared about the birds and the lillies of the field.

How can we ever doubt His love for us?

Even when the field looks hopeless.

~Be Encouraged Today

Tammy

Whether Weather

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It seems as though the weather is in the news. Snow, freezing rain, ice, wind, traffic issues, schools closed, flights canceled.  

Let me be completely honest.  I am not a winter person.  I do not like cold.  I prefer warm, balmy temperatures. I will say that “when” it is snowing I think it is pretty, but that is as positive as this gal can get. Yes, I prefer summer and I am not afraid to say so.  I may belong in the deep southern half of the USA on a permanent basis.

So I looked out the window and found myself watching these three little birds. I called them Larry, Curly and Moe. They seemed to have it together.  They were flitting in and out of the ivy wall we have in our back yard.  It is very thick and the ivy has taken on a life of its own.  These boys (girls??) were getting deep inside the ivy and I would say were keeping as toasty as possible.  I was reminded of a couple of things.

Yep, Larry, Curly and Moe were just fine.  So why do I sometimes worry about my tomorrows? I am worth more than that the bird of the air.  More important to God than Larry.  More important than Curly, even Moe.

Then the second message hit me. Remember when I said that I do not like cold or snow?  Well, I thought of Paul.  You know when he wrote the church in Philippians from jail…  “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13  

And I don’t like snow.  Gees. Can I trust Him?  Can I be content?  He says I can so I just have to make that choice.

Enjoy your quiet time as the cold shuts down part of your world…and look out the window no telling what you might see!

And while being content, I might just look at some deep south pictures!! 🙂

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 ~Be Encouraged Today

Tammy

Sweet Spring Song Birds

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Sweet Spring Song Birds

I look so forward to spring. There are a variety of reasons we can list, but one of my favorite things to do is sit on our back porch and watch the songbirds. We keep food out during the winter as well, but there is just something about sitting in my rocking chair, sipping a cup of coffee and watching them interact with one another. Gosh, that makes me sound really old!

There have been a few times we ran out of food before we could get to the store. I worried about the birds and realized that in all honesty they weren’t worried at all. At all.

Why is it so hard for us? Why do we worry? Is it the fear of the unknown? Is it that we are taking the circumstances and outcome into our own hands? Will my son get that job? What will we do if the furnace breaks down? What if that test result comes back as cancer?

The truth is…we shouldn’t worry. In fact, we are told that the power not to worry is from the Holy Spirit. I just think I turn things over to the Father, and as if I physically laid down that piece of paper, I pick it right back up!! Sometimes I do it daily!

Jesus taught..

 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:19-34
I can just envision Jesus teaching this lesson. He pointed to the birds. He bent down to smell the lilies of the field. He held up his cloak. Why worry?
Some theologians refer to this passage as the biblical doctrine of God’s ‘providence’. God is our provider. Do we believe this?
It is our choice. In fact, believing the word of God is totally our choice.
I like that choice. And I choose to believe. He has always been faithful. He has never failed me yet. Worry has gotten me no where. Stress made me sick. So I have to actively make the choice to believe Him and what He says.
Afterall, I have the birds of spring to remind me.

Blessings
IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible*