"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his 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. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-34)

     I grew up in a household of seven. My father and mother worked hard to support their five children. I know it must have been hard for them.  Especially since, my father had such a limited education. He dropped out of school to help support his family; having lost his father when he was just ten years old. In spite of their hard work, they still needed help.

     There were times when the whole family would work as farmhands, picking tomatoes or potatoes for a local farmer. In fifth grade, I remember attempting to hide the hole in my shoe from the audience during our school Christmas program. Other times, we would have to use candles to light the house because the electricity had been turned off. 

     However I was fortunate to have cousins who passed down clothing. I didn't know it then, but my grandfather helped out when he could too. And then there were the times when our family was blessed by God through churches and other loving people in the community.

    I remember again, my fifth grade year. My teacher, Mr. Dugan, arrived at our house in his van with boxes of food collected for the needy at his church. There was plenty of food to supply the holiday meal as well as supplement the rest of our menu. My oldest brother, Bobby, also received a surprise from his coworkers at Kmart. They had banded together to round up Christmas presents for the whole family!

     More recently, I remember last Christmas. My husband, Steven, was off work awaiting back surgery. Although I did wonder how God would provide for us, I tried never to worry. Keeping in mind this passage from the Bible, I watched as God provided for my needs again, through my church, community and secret gift givers who sneakily slipped gift cards under my door. We had what we needed and more, thanks to the love of His people--His Body here on earth.

Shirley Brito