living loved

So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live – what you will eat, drink, or wear. . .Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. – Matthew 6: 25-27

Out of all the beautiful, entertaining, memory- making hilarious candid photos I managed to take at the beach this week, this one was the winner for God’s plans. This crow started its feeding excursion with the white capped waves chasing him all over the place as he looked for tiny little clams to feed his belly. He chased, and poked, and prodded his way down the sandy beach much to our amusement. As our youngest finished chasing him away from his nutritious clam chowder, I watched him steadily walk and hop down the beach choosing which clam was next to devour. It was then that I realized what God was laying on my heart throughout the week as I watched my babies in all their independence read and play, beat us at games (well done young proteges), the youngest learned to swim, and the eldest two had grown-up conversations that were mature and articulate and made my heart swell with pride and collapse in despair at the greatest thief of all: time.

Jer and I spent our mornings reading together and at the beginning of the week as we did our readings and study on what God says about marriage, I got emotional about the kiddos and growing up and following Christ and all the things, worries, and stressors that comes with parenting. Have we prayed enough? Have we saved enough? Are they just happy or do they have true joy – the joy only He can give? Will they watch us grow old? Will we watch them grow old? Will they follow Christ and the plans He has for them? Do we have faith to move mountains and trust His good and perfect plans?

And then, to finish our week, this beautiful little sea crow hopped into my life. And it was then, as I watched him hop and run and get his fill of those little clams that God spoke to my heart, “If I care for that little bird, how much more do I care for your little birds?” And I chuckled aloud because at that moment I was also pondering this blog. I was thinking about all the beautiful images this week, and all the scriptures read (Luke is so good by the way – I could just read it and read it and read it again and something new would speak to this sinner’s heart), which lesson needed written, and it was that little bird that captured the week.

God’s word is not just written to be read and forgotten. God’s word is not void. God’s word is not meant to collect dust on your shelf. God’s word is living and active, and I would not have realized what God was saying to me without first knowing His word. I have read these scriptures in Matthew before, but this week – THIS WEEK – those words became truth to me. I watched it unfold on that beach with that little tiny bird knowing where those clams where and then listened to my own little birds squawking and chirping in laughter behind me as they played wiffle ball without a care in the world. Love, laughter, and joy – God has provided it all. Disappointment, sadness, tears – God will see them through. I know it.

They’re not just my birds. They are and will always be His birds. He will see them through, and I will have the privilege to pray and trust that the God of the universe will provide every white ocean cap and clam they need. And He will provide yours too – just dig in.

XOXO, Loni