Read: Matthew 6:25-34 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.(Matthew 6:26, NIV)

I enjoy the profusion of wildflowers that covers the forest floor here in northern Michigan in the springtime. I also enjoy bird-watching (although flowers are easier to identify, since they stay in one place!) Through both of those hobbies I have learned much about God's world and its beauty and variety. But I have learned even more about God himself.

It has been said (tongue in cheek) that in these verses the Lord is commending to us the study of botany ("Consider the lilies . . .") and ornithology ("Look at the birds . . . "). But what we should learn from the flowers and the birds is that we don't have to be anxious about daily necessities because we have a loving Father who provides for us. Each time we see a wildflower or hear a bird singingªa frequent occurrence here in the Upper Peninsula in seasonªwe have an opportunity to be reminded of the Lord's care and provision for us. By illustrating his point with things we see all the time, Jesus gives us a wonderful lesson in providence, the doctrine of God's care and keeping of his people. And Jesus offers us an everyday opportunity to practice our faith.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your daily care and provision for us.

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