Discouraged - Birds? Lillies? - Encouraged

So I found myself pretty down and discouraged earlier this evening. I was even hesitant to write because the fog has just begun lifting. So please excuse any rawness in this post, it's pure emotion.

As most probably know by now we are hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Chinese Auction fundraiser. As we geared up for it yesterday, posted a Facebook event, made flyers and plans it all seemed really exciting. Then today as we put all those ideas in motion I found myself obsessing over peoples responses. Most of the replies today were no's, and the discouragement began to set in. My girlfriend tried to encourage me that those who already have something on their calendar that day and know they can't come would reply right away. And realistically I know not everyone will be able to come, but when you are looking forward to yes and get no, well it just stinks. And please no this is not to make anyone who said no feel guilty, again I truly am aware that not everyone can come. It was just a lot of no's all at once, nothing personal!

Then later on today I spent a couple hours making phone calls to local businesses trying to solicit donations for the Chinese Auction part of our fundraiser. Again, realistically knowing that not every company would be able to donate. However, I did not expect to get all no's. More discouragement. And if all that was discouraging enough I went to Staples tonight to make photocopies of the flyer we made and when I was told they would be $.49 EACH, which totaled $73.50 + tax, I politely said never mind, no thank you and walked out. By this point I'm feeling pretty hopeless.

So what about birds and lilies could bring encouragement? It's like this:
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the BIRDS of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the LILLIES of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:25-34 ESV

So what does that say to my heart tonight? Maybe it doesn't say specifically don't worry about donations, or fundraising, or people's replies, but the underlying tone gives the same message, right? If birds and lilies are cared for by God and my value to God was worth the death of His Son, then why would I not believe He will care for me? And even more so, if our future child's value to God was worth the death of God's son, then will He not provide for them too? Yes, I am of little faith, that was written for me. And so I find myself thanking God even for the little faith I have, and praying and asking for more faith to believe those things I can't see...like where donations will come from or how this whole night will pan out. And more than anything I am reminded that today had enough of it's own worries, and this fundraiser is not today, it's a few weeks away. So I need to stop worrying about something that is "tomorrow" and keep my focus on what needs to be done today. And I just want to go on record by saying I did not add a single hour to my day today with all my worrying, if anything I lost a few. So thankful that His grace is sufficient!