More than the Birds

Have you ever experienced a time where it seems like you were constantly writing checks for unexpected expenses? The last several months have been like that for my husband and me. First, the washer died, then the tires on our truck failed inspection and we had to replace them. Then the furnace needed to be repaired, followed by the boiler. Shortly after that it was time to pay the taxes on the house. A few days ago, we noticed that a piece of flashing has peeled up on the roof. 

As someone who struggles with resting in God’s provisions, I was anxious about each situation. I calculated and recalculated the balance in our savings account as it dwindled. Then God gently reminded me that I had a savings account from which to draw. He also provided unexpected payment from a freelance assignment that was initially a volunteer job as another reminder that he will ensure we have what we need.

It is often easy to get caught up in the difficulties of life, to focus on the hardships rather than the blessings. There are myriad stories in the Bible about folks who also experienced tough times – much more challenging than my own: David, (who wrote lots of Psalms expressing his fear and discouragement), Moses, Joseph, Joshua, and Paul, just to name a few.

Jesus also understood about people’s tendencies to worry and spoke about it during his Sermon on the Mount. “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?” (Matthew 6:25-27 NASB)

Lord, thank you for your words that remind us we can have peace in the face of adversity and strife because of your sovereignty. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Linda Shenton Matchett

With a BA in Psychology and Masters in Human Resource Management, Linda Matchett has had a wide and varied career as a crisis counselor, HR generalist, B&B owner and youth center director. She is currently the Front of House, Snackbar & Catering Manager at Brewster Academy. A journalist and blogger, she has written for numerous online and print publications. An author of Christian contemporary and historical fiction, Linda is also a a motivational speaker. Available topics include Life on the (WWII) Home Front, Wartime Baking, Women in the (WWII) Workforce, The Writer’s Life, God in the Workplace, The Proverbs 31 Gal: The Woman We Love to Hate, and Ruth: Lessons from a Foreigner. Linda is a member of First Baptist Church Wolfeboro where she sings in the choir and serves as Church Treasurer and a member of the Fellowship Team.