Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry 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 clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For ...your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Do you know the book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'? This children's book by Eric Carle has sold over 71 million copies in 30 different countries, and I guess many of us have read it ourselves or to a child at bedtime. The story is about a caterpillar who eats more and more each day until it feels ill. It is full of moral questions about self-control, growth, change, well-being and happiness. Well now you can buy 'Calm and the Very Hungry Caterpillar'. This book uses the story of the Very Hungry Caterpillar to teach mindfulness; the way to name your feelings; and gives simple techniques on how to calm down. It's a book for children and for adults.

Well this is all very helpful, and many people will find the book extremely useful. But if we're Christians why don't we also turn to our Heavenly Father when we're worried and tell him our concerns. He loves us and has our best interests at heart. This way we engage with mindfulness and God - in prayer! It's the best of all possible worlds.

Heavenly Father,
when we feel life is imploding in on us,
when we cannot sleep for worrying,
and when our problems seem overwhelming,
encourage us to turn to You and ask for help.
Give us the faith that knows we can trust You,
to have our best interests at heart.
Amen.