joyce54aa@swoidup.net

Today, I watched a pair of Blue Jays outside my kitchen window. Oblivious to the cold, they were flying around gathering bits of sticks and dead grass. Their beautiful blue feathers, were brilliant against the dead bushes, and dried grass of the stark winter landscape. Tiny icicles hung from the awning, and snow still covered the ground on the north side of the house. The scripture that came to my mind were the words that Jesus spoke about how God takes care of His creations.

Luke 12:27. Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast in the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Why do we worry so, over each and every little thing in our lives? We have to pay our bills and see that our children are fed; but the things that we need and the things that we want are two entirely different things. If we walk in God's will, He will see that we have the things that we need in our lives. Often the things that we want, may not be the things that we need. Out daily walk with God will determine the things that God gives to us. We have to keep in mind that God knows the future and He alone knows if the things we ask for will help us and benefit us in our everyday life.

Through prayer we will be able to separate the things that we want, from the things we need. God doesn't mean for us to do without things in our lives. As with any Father He wants us to be happy; but never forget that our greatest reward waits for us in Heaven, not while we are here on this earth. I don't know about you, but I would rather have my reward inside heaven's gate than while I am here.

Jesus says that God sees that the sparrows of the field have what they need, so how much more does He care about us, His children? God loves each of us so very much. The problem often comes, when we aren't living our lives the way that we should. On the surface we may seem the same. No one else might notice that we haven't been spending time in prayer, or studying God's word. It is personal, between God and us. When we follow closely the guidelines that God has set before us we will see the changes in our lives.

It is difficult to ask God for things in our lives, when we aren't walking in His will. Through prayer and studying God's word we keep the lines of communication open. God wants to bestow on each of us His mercy, wisdom, and His love. His gifts come to us freely, if we stay in His will. After all, He gave us the most wonderful gift of all, when He gave us His son, Jesus.

We are God's most wonderful and special creations. He loves us more than any other, because we are made in His image. No other creation can lay claim to that. It is mankind that tugs at the heart strings of the Father. God's love for this world, can be seen around us everywhere. It is in the flowers in the field, and the clouds in the air. He filled this world with His beauty, and wonders for us to see. God chose us to be His children, for all of eternity.

Copyright 2005 by Joyce Balentine