Meri's Sip of Encouragement #2: Matthew 6:33

I have always been such a dog person. Doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, if it barks and looks remotely like a dog then I’m going to gravitate towards it. 

The other day I was sitting on the porch, petting my sweet boy Murphy (aka Meri’s coffee logo), while he just looked at me with the kindest eyes that basically screamed “I love you!!!!”. Looking at this big sweetheart leaning all his weight onto my legs and staring at me with those big brown eyes, I had such an “aha” moment - I want to look at Jesus through the eyes of Murphy!

Let me explain… Ever since Murphy was a puppy, the first step in his morning routine is to climb up in my lap, stretch and yawn, and just be held by his mama for a few moments before the hectic day begins. As a full grown golden retriever, this is still the first step in his morning routine, but that’s beside the point. The point is he desires to be held by the one who loves and provides for him before anything else.

I don’t know about you, but the first thing I do when I start my day is immediately let my mind run crazy with all the thoughts I have concerning the day ahead, leaving me in a jumbled state before I have even brushed my teeth. But how different would my day look if I was to just be held for a moment by the One who loves and cares for me more than anything?

This made me think of Matthew 6:33 which says “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”.

It doesn’t say “seek after you have time to worry about the day” or “seek once you have everything figured out”, no it says “seek first the kingdom”!

Once we seek Jesus, then He will provide us all we need to make it though the day ahead, and more. Just as Murphy seeks me each morning, we should be seeking our Father. Then our eyes can be focused on the One who loves us and we can look to Him with confidence that He is going to provide - just like Murphy looks at me.