“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

I committed the “do not worry” section of Matthew 6 to memory when I was about the age that my oldest daughter is now, when anxious thoughts started to crowd me, threatening to engulf my peace.

I needed to be reminded that I am a precious child of God, more loved and valued and cared for than the most radiant garden, the most splendid and vibrant blooms. I needed to deeply absorb the knowledge that I have nothing to be anxious about, that I can have peace in all circumstances. 

It’s why I gave my first daughter the name Liliana. 

I see so much of myself in her. The longing to be perfect, disordered by a need to outlet her creativity. The wanting to do everything as well or better than anyone else. The desire to be loved and admired and accepted by everyone she meets. And the anxiety, because of course, none of these things can happen all of the time. And because she has reached an age of heightened awareness of the many things that can and do go wrong in life.

I hope that when she sees the beautiful birds of the air, the flowers of the field, the Easter lilies that are her namesake, she will also be reminded of God’s enduring love in all circumstances. I hope she will always remember and find peace in the knowledge that she is a precious child of God. 

And I hope the same for all of you as well ❤️