May 15, 2012 - The Lilies of the Field

Good morning to you all, Recently, I have experienced some dramatic changes in my personal life where the cares of life seem to be so heavy and I sometimes I can find myself "worrying" about so many things! (being honest here) You know we always talk about making a plan and I totally believe in planning; but how many know that sometimes we can look at our lives and wonder if we can sustain the plan we "thought" we made. :) Like I said yesterday, it costs extra to eat healthy and stay on plan, sometimes, and with the rising cost of EVERYTHING, we all have to weigh where our food costs and all other costs line up. I gotta be honest - sometimes I get a little rumbled. My friend at Publix, Peter, when I commented about the cost of my groceries, said "if I had a place to grow my own food, I would. The cost of food continues to rise. I would put my money in seeds." Well, for those of us "non-farmer girls," that won't help. :) AND.....neither will worrying about how I will continue to eat healthy when it costs more. Even my sweet husband, from time to time, has to be reminded that my health journey is non-negotiable as far as our income. :) I have heard from several that you find it difficult to stay with a healthy protocol due to the cost of food or the limited choices of meals at restaurants (as their families eat out a lot) and I totally understand. I find myself making choices at the store differently and with more consideration than this time last year, but there are times when our situations change. However, our plan to be healthy cannot be the first place we cut corners. Processed foods are cheaper, but again, in the long run (in terms of our health), they can be more costly. I said all that to say this - we cannot worry about where the money will come to provide for a healthy life style. Our choices may have to look a little different and we may have to trade in some different areas, but God provides for our needs! He will take care of us and he knows that we are being good stewards of the body he created, gave to us, and he dwells within. If you are struggling with worry in any area of your life this morning, maybe this will encourage you. I LOVE God's word - it stabilizes me when nothing else can. PK Matthew 6:25-34 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of Godt above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.