Love In Practice: Faith; Not Worry
Don't we just love it when something comes together? Especially when we aren't expecting it?
One example came together for me this morning between reading a character profile on Samuel, which led me to Matthew 6:25-34 and my Billy Graham devotional, Hope for Each Day.
Doesn't it make you smile, even if it is a smile within ourselves and for ourselves?
Faith Every Day
Matthew 6:25-34 is known by many as the "Do Not Worry" passage.
Verse 30 ends with, "O you of little faith?"
In the previous five verses, we are reminded that God will clothe us and feed us, and that the birds of the air and the lilies and the grass in the fields that He grows will be cared for in their own way.
Spring is "around the corner", as they say, and the Blue Jays and Cardinals are already coming for seed and peanuts.
How about that for a three-part blessing first thing in the morning?
Have Faith; Don't Worry
Joy Every Hour
I mentioned that smile within ourselves when something comes together, especially when you aren't expecting it. Remember to embrace and truly feel joy in these moments, and hold onto that joy as long as you can throughout the day (and beyond today!)
The question in Matthew 6:27 reads, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Love Every Minute
Would we have more capacity to Love if we didn't Worry?
While easy to say and hard to practice, what could we choose when we find ourselves worrying? Could we instead focus on something we love?
What would happen if we replaced Worry with Love?
Hope In Each Second
I'm excited to see the Blue Jays and Cardinals out back in the mornings. And I have faith and hope that the Hummingbirds are right behind them. They are truly something to be admired, aren't they? Darting here and there. Wings flapping at what seems like 1,000 mph. It's just amazing!
UC Davis research has found that a hummingbird's wings can flap between 720 - 5,400 times per second
If you are worrying about something today (or have been for a while):
Have faith in the unseen that will come together and bring you peace
Embrace joy in the little things along the way (and hold onto it!)
Replace worry with love
Remember to have hope for tomorrow in the unexpected care we will receive, for the greater good of all.
Billy Graham's "HOPE FOR TODAY question to reflect on" for February 18 reads:
"What would we be free to do if we were free from worry?"
Until tomorrow,
Choose Hope -
Anthony
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