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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me enjoy the people in my life, and stop worrying about the stuff! Amen.

"Don't be worried about having enough food or clothes," Jesus taught. "Isn't life worth more than that? Look at birds: They don't plant seeds and harvest food, but God takes care of them. Look at flowers: They don't make clothes, but God makes them beautiful. God knows what you need; you don't have to worry about tomorrow."

A lot of kid-life is focused on stuff. It's very important to you what you bring for snack at school, what you give your best friend for her birthday and what you wear on Crazy Hat Day.

All of that can be great. It's fun to have an awesome snack to share; it's fun to find a present someone will love and to wear a silly hat that will make your friends laugh.

On the other hand, Jesus said in this week's Gospel (Matthew 6:24-34) not to make a big deal over small stuff!

Flowers just grow and birds just sing, Jesus said. They do that automatically, without thinking about it or worrying what will happen to them. If a flower thought about winter coming soon, it would never pop out of the ground in the summer!

Jesus didn't want people to worry so much, either. If the snack you bring today doesn't impress all the kids in your class, so what? Everyone will forget about it in a few days.

If you wanted a really awesome hat for Crazy Hat Day but your family doesn't have the time or money, why would you yell at them? It won't change the situation - except for making them feel sad.

Jesus' point was that life is always changing. If you spend all your time worrying about how tomorrow will turn out, you'll forget to enjoy today! God knows what you need and is always taking care of you - even if you don't have the best hat, snack or present.[[In-content Ad]]

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