“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. 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 which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? . . . The nations of the world seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25- 27; 32-33
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the knowledge of your heavenly Father. But even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-30
The other day I had a conversation with a friend about how God cares for each minute detail of our lives and how he truly desires to be invited into those decisions that to us seem unimportant, trivial, small or “no-brainers”. . . . . He said, “To me it doesn’t make sense to ask God for little things. I feel like he would be like, ‘Seriously?! I am trying to keep this malnourished child alive over here in Africa and you’re asking me for that?!'”
But the truth is, HE DOES CARE.
He is BIG enough to keep that child in Africa breathing while at the same time providing me with an answer to my question :
“Lord, what should I drink at Caribou today?!”
Yesterday I was at Caribou with Hope. I was standing in line. I was looking at the menu with $4 in my hand and I asked the Lord that very question.
My heart was saying “GO FOR THE MINT CONDITION! All that dark chocolatey goodness (and fatness) is just what you want, with those little Andes mints on top!”
But my head was saying, “Kristen, you will probably regret that decision. Go for the healthier option. Get an herbal tea. You will feel better about this decision because it is the healthy one and the cheaper one.”
I have truly been trying to live a life of self-discipline in two specific areas of my life: stewardship and health.
So I prayed, “Lord, which decision should I make? which is the most glorifying to you? herbal tea or mint condition? which one would allow me to be a better steward of my limited financial resources? . . . you know, actually Lord, if I could get a free beverage that would be perfect! I really shouldn’t be spending money on anything! You know my financial situation. please help me decide.”
I approached the counter. The girl ahead of me had ordered a mango herbal tea. When the cashier handed her, her piping hot beverage the girl replied, “Oh I wanted that iced.” The cashier looked at her a little forlorn. Then filled a plastic cup with ice and passed it to her associate. Then she looked at me . . . “Would you like a mango herbal tea?” . . . .
“Um, why yes. I think I would.”
I was kind of taken back that Jesus made the answer to that prayer so easy but not only that, he honored my request and gave it to me for free! (why do we often pray as if he doesn’t actually hear us, or won’t actually answer us?!) I shoved my $4 back into my pocket and smirked the whole way back to my table- Jesus loves me this I know! And the Bible doesn’t even have to tell me so! He tells me himself everyday!
As I sat at the table. I felt the Holy Spirit poking at me. Who will receive the glory for this answered prayer, Kristen? Go talk to that cashier. She needs to hear what you have to say. . . .
I continued talking. After a while, I got up and asked for more hot water. The cashier refilled my cup.
Prompted by the Holy Spirit I spoke, “I just want you to know God loves you so much he cares about even the minutest details of your life. For instance, I had just asked the Lord for a free drink today because I am pretty financially strapped right now. . . .”
She interjected, “And he gave it to you.”
“yes, because he loves me and cares about my needs. I don’t know what the need is or what the worry in your life is, but God cares about that too. It’s not too insignificant and he wants you to trust Him with it. Because he loves you.”
Her eyes glossed over. She lowered her head. Smiled. “Thank you.”
“Have a good day.”
“You too.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
