Pam Padgett ... teacher
Yesterday morning when I opened the door to let the dogs go outside
I noticed how warm it was. The dogs enjoy being outside and as long
as they aren't barking, I let them stay outside as much as they
want.
In the afternoon the smaller dog was still outside and I opened a
window to call her to come inside through the garage dog door so we
could go on a walk. She was lying comfortably in the yard, but I
was surprised at how cold it had become. I marveled in the way God
has made this dog with a coat that keeps her comfortable even as the
weather changes.
As I was putting on my coat I thought of how God did not make me
with a coat like the dog ... but HE provides the clothes that I
need.
God made us and each creature perfectly, and provides what we need.
All of this reminded me of what we're told in Matthew 6 ...
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not,
neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit
unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of
the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so
clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is
cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of
little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we
eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be
clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these
things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the
morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient
unto the day is the evil thereof.
As I was walking the dogs, I began thinking of how God provides
everything I need (and even more) and thanking HIM for HIS provision
for me ... food, clothes, a nice and comfortable place to live, the
animals which I enjoy so much. I have no need at all.
And not only these things, but God has given us HIS Spirit living in
us, bringing HIS word to us. HE gives us wisdom and help us in
whatever we face (just one example in my life is all the help I've
been given over the past weeks with publishing the books). We can
"gather together" as the church, sharing with one another things of
God which help us as we seek to live godly lives on this earth.
Thinking on these things fills me with praise and gratitude toward
God.