I poured the last bits of food into my dog’s bowl. Someone would have to make a trip to the store later to buy more, but there should be enough there to last her throughout the day.

Half an hour later I walked by the bowl and discovered that it was empty. Surprised and disappointed, I exclaimed, “You ate all your food already?! Why didn’t you save some for later?”

Then I realized that, besides the fact that she’s a dog, she didn’t KNOW. She didn’t realize that the food was gone; as far as she’s concerned, that can’t happen. She believes that it will always be there. She trusts us to take care of her; to always provide what she needs. She doesn’t have to store up food for later, in case we forget her. She doesn’t have to worry about having enough for later today, or tomorrow, or the next day. She just has to look to us to give her what she needs for each moment.

Oh how I need that lesson sometimes! I know the words in Matthew 6 by heart. But sometimes, I forget. I forget that my Heavenly Father will never abandon me, forget me, or fail to provide for me. I wonder and worry if I will have enough; I scurry about to make sure “enough” happens.

But all I need is to be still, and to look to my Father to provide for me each day.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”

– Matthew 6:25-33 NLT