Parent’s Corner- March 29, 2020

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, not about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap not gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘what shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  Matthew 6:25-34 ESV

This week, I’ve been trying to go outside for a walk every day.  I find that the fresh air and physical activity has been good for me in so many ways! I love my family dearly, but there are times when three teenagers and two parents are a bit distracting to each other in 1100 square feet.   I’ve also been trying to combine my walk with my prayer time, praying for a different thought or person on each block. 

Yesterday as I was walking, I received a text from a college friend in another state whose mother was just diagnosed with the virus.  I told her that I would assign her mother the next block and would continue to pray.  A couple of blocks later, I found my thoughts wandering and easily distracted.  Suddenly, these anxious and scattered thoughts were completely drowned out by the cacophony of dozens of birds, all singing and calling to each other at the same time.  I stopped in my tracks and drank in the sound and the image. . . God loving and caring for the birds, God loving and caring for my friend’s mother, and God loving and caring for me.  As soon as my mind was refocused on God and his care for me, the singing stopped. God was so gracious to give me that nugget of truth at the very moment when I needed it most.  I was so thankful for the sweet reminder and continue to be thankful for His sweet care for me at that moment, and every moment! 

Until our regularly scheduled gatherings resume, we will be posting weekly Sunday school lessons and corresponding activities on our website.  I know many of you are already juggling assignments from schools as well. . . no pressure or expectation. . . just an opportunity to have a sweet time as a family.  I’d also love to encourage kids (and families!) to keep a list of the many blessings they have experienced in these “different days”, as well as the many ways they have caught glimpses of God and his goodness!  I’d love to hear all about them if you’d like to share, and I look forward to the time when we can be together again.  Until then. . . God loves you.  God knows what you need, and He has promised to care for you.  We have many questions, but God knows.  We can rest in that.