My new friend, Kathryn, has been around for only about 27 days now, but she has taught me a lot more lessons through her life than I would’ve ever  imagined.

Kathryn S. Mathew was born to Shyju and Tiny on March 3rd, 2012. I have been privileged to hang out with her frequently right from Day 1 of her life. On a personal note, she makes me go awwwww every time she yawns, cries, smiles, or stretches! My hobby, off late, has been taking pictures of her, and add them to my collage of fond memories.

It was at one such time that I got this picture of Kathryn sleeping so peacefully in Shyju’s hands.

It was sheer joy to witness that moment. It depicted her total trust in a loving father in whose arms she slept so peacefully. She didn’t seem to have any worries about who was going to feed her, where she’s going to live, which school/college was she going to get admitted to, or any of that! Her favorite pastime is to sleep worry free! I began to wonder what Jesus meant when he said these things at the sermon on the mount:

Matthew 6:25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
  28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
  31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, `What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
  34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Is that not how we are supposed to live our lives too? Are we not supposed to seek the Kingdom and the righteousness of God and leave the rest into the hands of our loving heavenly Father? More often than not, we act as if we ourselves are responsible for taking care of our needs! Many a-times, we behave like we are forsaken, abandoned orphans in this world struggling for survival, trying to make ends meet!

Medical science tells me that Kathryn cannot see anything at a distance of more than 30 centimeters from her eyes. She cannot see her father or her mother except when they are extremely close to her eyes. But she can hear them and feel their presence around her. Not only does she hears her Father’s voice but also responds to it with pure joy. (Click here to watch the video of Kathryn responding to her Dad’s voice)

Isn’t that exactly how we are supposed to live our lives as well? We don’t always see everything clearly because our mind’s eyes are limited in time and space. But if we make efforts, we can hear him everyday as we read the Bible, as we kneel down in prayer, as we have fellowship with others in the body of Christ. And if only we respond to His voice and to the promises in His word, instead of rebelling or complaining or worrying, would we be the children that Jesus expected us to be, when He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt 18:3,4)

Why don’t we inspect our lives today for behaviors and attitudes that are not child-like? What are the things/reasons that you worry the most about? Which areas of your life do you need to trust God more with? Looking forward to hearing from you!