…when I reach old age and have gray hair, God, do not forsake me, until I have declared your power to this generation and your might to the next one. 

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MATTHEW 6: 25-34

(From The New Modern Texas Regular Folks Translation)

[Jesus said], “Hey, y’all, listen up! Don’t get all bent out of shape about your life. Stressing over stuff like, ‘what am I gonna eat?’ or ‘what am I gonna drink?’, or obsessing over your body like, ‘what am I gonna wear today?’  Can’t you see that there is more to life than food, water, clothing and all of that other stuff you’re fretting over?

“Now look at those birds over there. They’ve been munching in the fields all morning and getting their fill.  They don’t plow or plant crops. They don’t harvest in the fall and store crops in barns. And still your Daddy in Heaven makes sure they all get fed. So if He remembers to feed the birds do you think He’s gonna forget to feed y’all?

“And all that hand-ringin’ ya do, sitting around worrying about this and that…did all of that worrying ever add another day to your life or force the world to start thinkin’ like you do? And why are you wasting time worrying about what clothes you’re going to throw on for the day? Look at all those Blue Bells, Day Lilies, and, ₁one of the cheeriest annual climbers, the black-eyed Susan vine. It produces many yellow, orange, white, or apricot blooms though out the summer. Those flowers don’t sew with a needle and thread, nor do they knit and crochet, but check this out: not even King Solomon, the wealthiest fella in history, could dress himself fancy enough to match the beauty of one of those flowers.

“So if God dresses the grass and flowers of the field, that blossom today and dry up tomorrow and wither away, will he not make sure you have suitable clothing with which to cover your body? Y’all have so little faith!

“So don’t get all stressed out, saying, ‘What we gonna eat?’ or ‘What we gonna drink?’ or ‘What we gonna wear?’  For the Unbelievers fret over all this stuff, and your Daddy in Heaven knows that you need it. Instead, get your mind looking for the kingdom of God, and what He says is right and wrong, and all this other stuff will be taken care of for you. Get your priorities straight and make the main thing the main thing. 

“Now listen up. Don’t get all bent out of shape worrying about tomorrow. Today has enough stuff to keep your minds occupied. Concern yourself with pleasing God today and let Him take care of tomorrow.”

1. Black Eyed Susan description taken from narrative by —Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2022