by Jenna Scott, Program Administrator, Sidewalk Advocates for Life
Verses: “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?” — Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
Reflection: The Lord provides for us in all of our needs. This has been promised to us many times over, throughout His Word. Our needs are taken care of by our Father because of our immense worth as His children, like any good father would do.
However, there are many that we minister to who do not see that they can and will be taken care of, which is why they see the blessing of a child as a financial (or other type) of hurdle that they cannot overcome. We know of God’s promises to us, but they may not. We can shout this from the rooftops to everyone and sadly, there will be those who won’t hear or acknowledge that promise.
What people do see and what people do hear are actions. So when we step forward to say “yes” to God to be His hands and feet to help someone else with their needs, then we live and pass on the Gospel by allowing God to work through us to take care of His children. Everyone we meet will have different needs, but what is important is that we really listen and acknowledge those needs so we can truly fill them and provide real, ongoing help.
Letting God work through us sometimes requires a lot of listening skills as others convey their needs …but we also need to be challenged to quiet our mind so that we may hear God’s answer in how to best take care of His children.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, help us be better listeners in our lives so that we may really hear others’ needs and listen to you for how best to help. Let us think less of our own experiences and ourselves and instead, focus on who we are helping and your path for them. Help us spread your Gospel by being your hands and feet in this world so that we may show the world your love and desire to take care of all your children.