The Sparrow

If you are at all familiar with the economics in Calgary you will be aware of the incredible boom that is happening here. Calgary is an oil city in a province with no debt. People are flocking here by the thousands and the city is bursting at the seams. The rate of growth has caused a housing crisis and Property owners are seizing the opportunity to make a lot of money from renters in a very short time. Many of Calgary's lower income families are being forced out onto the street.

I am a musician. It is not a job you choose for the abundant flow of cash. I love what I do. I live very simply and cheaply in order to accommodate a meager income from a job that has mental health benefits in proportion to my need. I am content.

Last week there was a notice under my door of a rent increase of $200.00 per month. There is no room in my budget for that kind of increase. They might as well have raised it $1000.00.

Today, a well meaning mentor phoned and started questioning me about what I was going to do to meet my financial challenges. All of the 'What will you do if..., questions, combined with hunger and exhaustion from an afternoon with children, planted a seed of worry that grew into a full fledged weed of mammoth proportion.

After prayer and remembrance of truth, here is my response:

The question isn't 'what am I going to do?' The question is 'God, what are YOU going to do?' Your word says not to worry about what I will wear, eat or drink because you know what I need and you have promised to provide when I seek your kingdom first. Lord, your kingdom IS first.

Nothing comes to me that has not passed through you first. If I can't trust you who died for me, who can I trust?

Lord, thank you for choosing me for this challenge. I am excited to see your hand, to hear your voice and to watch you in action. In you I have riches greater than the wealthiest of earthly wealth. The world's gold is your pavement and your eye is on the sparrow.

(Don't you just LOVE a good weed pulling?!)