There was a point in time in my upbringing that my siblings and I were forbidden to ask why. My parents did not want to hear the word from any of the five of us. My guess is it got over used especially in response to being told to do something. As an adult, I’m still reluctant to ask why, but I am really good at asking how. How come? how about? how is that working for you? how Jesus?- are probably my top favorite how questions.
So last Sunday, post exercise, pre tall almond milk matcha, headed towards my shortcut through Rittenhouse Park to pick up pre ordered tall almond milk matcha, I noticed a man in front of me would randomly drop something on the ground. It took observing a few more drops to notice he was dropping slice of bread. As I asked myself, how come he’s dropping pieces of bread, under trees, I realized, he was feeding the birds. If there was a tree, he’d reach into the infamous red and white plastic Target bag, into the blue loaf of bread bag, grab a slice, and drop it. Within a few minutes, birds would leave where they perched and begin Sunday brunch courtesy of the six foot stranger in front of me.
Before Mr. Bread Dropper caused me to ask how come, I was rattling off a list of how Jesus questions in my head. Exercising had helped to reign in all that was on my heart and in my head but there were clearly some leftovers. I still wanted to know how Jesus was going to do some things that were feeling impossible. But Mr. Bread Dropper interrupted all of that. Well actually I think Jesus was answering all of my how’s by allowing me to notice Mr. Bread Dropper caring for the birds.
You ever notice how birds and so may animals we notice each day are taken care of? You ever notice there aren’t any number of animals in the grocery stores or at the malls getting food and clothes? You ever notice how there’s no city council or government funding set aside to provide housing for birds, squirrels, or chipmunks? This may sound ridiculous, but think about it. These animals are kept, they are fed, housed, taken care of and living their best bird/squirrel/chipmunk lives. They are just out here posting on the block, on the branch, on the wire. Meanwhile us humans are out here with loads of how Jesus questions, loads never meant for us to carry, loads sending us down roads of anxiety, depression, discontent, dysfunction, etc.
God drops grace on us. Each of us, He sees us, and drops grace, daily for us to feed off of, rest in, clothe ourselves with. He sees me, drops some grace. He sees you, drops some grace. He sees the check engine light and drops some grace. He sees the last can of formula and drops some grace. He sees the deadline and your low energy and drops some grace. He sees your offer on the house and drops some grace. He sees _________________ and drops some grace.
My prayer for you this week is that you remember as I was reminded last Sunday, that if God is so kind and gracious enough to care for the birds (squirrels and chipmunks), care for the lilies, how much more does He care for you and I? How much more sufficient grace does He have for you and I? How much more does He have in store for you and I beyond what circumstances and feelings may suggest? The answer….more. He has so much more for us. May you be reminded this week that He is dropping more grace for you whenever and wherever you need it and the grace He drops is sufficient. You can rest in that.
With Love,
Grit + Grace