Everything I Need

Today’s scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 (NRSV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?

My thoughts (Tammy Mills):

At least three times a day I need the reminder this scripture delivers. It takes me no time at all to go from “God will take care of me” to “I am doomed and certain to perish.” I don’t know why, but I regularly forget that God has given me everything I need.

Not long ago our girls came home from camp all excited about the “string tricks” they were learning. It brought back the fond memories of sitting around for hours trying to make “Jacob’s ladder”, “Cat’s cradle”, or the “Witches’ Hat”.

When I came back from memory land, I suddenly had a terrible thought (see how quick my mind can shift). I shouldn’t encourage the girls to do these string tricks because our youngest has only six fingers. She would never be able to do the tricks. I didn’t want her to feel bad about herself. I could just imagine how painful camp must have been for her, watching friends do all these cool string tricks and she, lamenting her lack of fingers.

My children’s giggling brought me back into the moment. I couldn’t believe what they were giggling about. The youngest was teaching the oldest how to do “cat’s cradle” with your toes! They both were congratulating the other on their accomplishment! (And tickling a few toes!)

Wow! What a lesson for a mom. The youngest didn’t see her “lack”. She saw only from her “abundance”. God had provided her with everything she needed to do the string tricks and do them in a way that inspired her friends! I need to learn to open my eyes and see through the lens of abundance. We are children of God. God loves us and has provided everything we need!

Thought for the day: How can we see things through the lens of abundance?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.