look at the birds of the air
or the grackles of the sidewalk, if you prefer
they don’t grow food
or follow trends
they don’t wonder from where their next meal will come
and they don’t wonder if they deserve their next meal, either
they don’t build barns
or bigger houses with walk-in pantries
and they don’t count likes on instagram
the elaborate system erected for their benefit feeds them
caterpillars in spring
seeds in fall
and decks them in blue, or brown, or white
but you are worth so much more than these (do you believe that yet?)
so don’t worry about your food
don’t worry about your clothes
don’t worry about your life
he will care for you—satisfy you
if not with every new gadget that comes out
then certainly with his heavenly riches
and if not with eight hours of sound sleep on a supportive mattress
then certainly with his eternal rest
and if not with guaranteed safety for yourself and your loved ones
then certainly with his abiding presence.