I was getting ready this morning when my attention was caught by the two does in the backyard moseying across to feast on the salal berries underneath the Pacific Yew tree.
The verse immediately popped into my mind: “Give us this day our daily bread.” – Matthew 6:11
Though, for the deer it would be: “Give us this day our daily salal berries.”
At the same time, a second verse also popped into my mind: “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
A little black-capped chickadee has been busy in my planter box on the back deck feasting on the seeds from my poppy pods. I’ve been fascinated watching it. It will hop up and grab the head of the poppy pod and pull it down, then knock the seeds out of the pod so that it can have a snack.
I think the above verse could also say: “Look at the deer of the forest; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”
A few hours later I glanced out the window and the does were over underneath the apples trees, picking and eating apples to their heart’s content …
“Look at the does of the forest; 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 your life? …
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For everyone runs 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.” – Matthew 6:26-27; 31-33
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.” – Matthew 6:9-11
Thank you God for giving the does their daily salal berries … and apples.
Thank you God for giving us our own daily bread. Thank you God for providing for our needs. Thank you God for taking good care of us.
May we be faithful to seek first your kingdom, here on earth as it is in heaven.
May we be faithful to seek first your righteousness … in every area of our life.
