(Matthew 6:25-34)

This might be lengthy, but i feel like all of it is important so i'm going to write all of it out anyway.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about you body, what you will ear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet i tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

*the last part of Matt. 6*

This passage really appeals to me during this time in my life. this might be a stupid example, but, for me and a lot of people i know who are college students and art majors at that (do our professors really realize how much art supplies cost these days? seems like they would) struggle with a limited money supply.

In reality, i know i am not really struggling like some people do. but, i do find myself wondering if i will have any more money in a few months, and if i will still have a lot of my clothes too, because laundry can be tricky sometimes...hehe

In college, you buy the book before you buy the groceries. you can always hope for that chance at free food. and when it comes you thank the Lord for it.

don't misunderstand me by thinking that i am starving and cold in my dorm room. because i am actually quite comfortable....that's why i thought this might be a bad example. my point is, i am doing fine in a situation where i could be really scrounging around for things that i need. and that possibility is always there. however, God has made his presence known. everyday i have to face discouragements and frustrations as everyone does, but God is there to help me through it. with him on my side i don't worry so much. wouldn't it be great if people could actually say, i never worry about anything? Of course everyone needs to be aware of things, but when you have that strong personal relationship with God, you really shouldn't worry. i hope that that will be what everyone strives for. to be on such close terms with God that we aren't constantly worrying about unnecessary things. because if we really trust God, we will know he's taking care of it, and then he will give us peace.

for awhile ( several weeks) i worried a lot about my computer...because i couldn't get my internet to work or my printer. it was just this big thing taking up space in my room. i had about three people come look at it before one man who worked on it for several hours before he could finally fix it. this might sound silly, but i prayed a lot for that computer and whoever could fix it, that i would find that person. and i did. when i got the note on my door that it was fixed, i came in my room, made sure it was for real, and then i could not stop praising God. it was the awesome feeling. another awesome thing that came from the computer problem, was the man who fixed it, i found out is a Christian. he saw one of my Max Lucado books on my desk and asked if i liked it. we started talking about churches around here and he told me about the one he goes to. it was just a really awesome experience.

When you allow God to open your eyes to his work, the world just becomes so much more beautiful and interesting. i have been overwhelmed with God's blessings this week and really ever since i've been here. i hope that you have too, and if you haven't that you will begin to notice his blessings that surround you.

love

laura,