Irises look as fragile and magnificent as the lilies that Jesus discusses today in the Gospel. They too neither spin nor toil but God cares for them. Many believe that it is the Buddhists who have the market on mindfulness and living in the present moment but today Christ lays out similar philosophies with a different spin on them.

Do not worry, he recommends several times in the 10 verses from the Gospel of Matthew 6. To paraphrase, God.has.this. Don’t worry about what to eat or drink. Don’t worry about what you will wear. Don’t worry about your body. Look around and see that God takes care of the birds of the air, the flowers of the field, and the children of the Beloved. God knows every single need. Don’t worry about tomorrow because today has its own stressors. Rather keep your eyes on the kingdom of God first and the righteousness of the Holy One. Everything you need will be given to you.

Psalm 34 reminds people to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Those who fear God have no want. Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. We could boast that we are capable of filling our needs and wants but it is foolishness. In 2 Corinthians 12, we are reminded that God’s grace is enough, more than sufficient in the Power that turns weakness into strength. Like Paul, we can endure weaknesses, hardships, and all kinds of calamities because when we are weak, Christ is strong.

Yesterday I had posted that I had hit an emotional wall after six months of holding everything together. In my weakness, God showed me Strength that cannot be found elsewhere. I had gone to a special service of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at my parish last night. Primarily a gathering that probably was focusing on youth, the music was praise and worship. I felt a bit distracted from Adoration in some ways but praise and worship has its place before the Sacrament. Two hours later I arrived home feeling quite peaceful. I had cried at my own inability to be stronger. I had asked for courage. I lamented the waiting. I thanked God for allowing me to see more days. God reached out and massaged my heart to a calmer state. I knew I was relieved of the burden without having the thorn pulled out.

The One who feeds the birds, who clothes the fields in splashes of yellow and purple, and who provides our every need is with us in the troubles of the day. This Great Provider will take care of tomorrow. Hand it over. No questions need be asked. Stay in the moment and do not worry. All shall be well with your soul.

When was there a time when you could not trust the Great Provider to take care of you? What, if anything, shifted to allow you to place your hope in God again?
Does the thorn need to be removed before Grace is enough for you?

Peace,

Suzanne