I have been thinking about this all week…what a truly amazing life I have. Yes…I DO have problems and trials (such as in common to mankind), Yes…I get frustrated and upset and sometimes even angry (shhh). Everything doesn’t always work out the way I plan it, in fact more often than not it doesn’t. Everybody doesn’t always behave the way I want them to (not even me). Sometimes I stub my toes (pain level 10) and brake my nails (pain level 9) not to mention my nightly leg cramps (pain level 12) and I start to feel ill when Im in the middle of a shopping excursion or my car runs out of gas or my boss decides to retire and closes up shop and a year later I am still looking for a job or I get anxious because of my adult children’s circumstances or my husband injures himself and limps for months. I put on a pair of pants and they are too tight (stupid dryer shrinks everything). The news is deplorable most days and the reality of what goes on in the world is daunting to be sure. Every day people die prematurely and heinous crimes are committed. Often I get tired, and fearful and anxious and frankly just want to crawl up in ball and cry my heart out…but all in all the good outweighs the bad.
I have such great memories and a rich heritage and have had such great opportunities and am presently living in comfortable, safe circumstances. I have love in my life…people to love and people who love me. I have my health (even if the Life Insurance Company is trying to penalize me because I was given a 24 hour Blood Pressure monitor to wear- they are measuring my coffin as I type $$$$$). I get up every morning beside a wonderful man and I am well rested because of my warm cozy bed and I get to workout because I am healthy and have energy and an elliptical in the basement (along with every other type of workout paraphernalia a person can have. I should be the most fit person you know but I’m not). I have many loyal and precious friends and an affirming and encouraging community of faith. I have a car to drive (with a 6CD stereo and can sing to my hearts content anywhere I go) and an iPhone to be addicted to and addicted I am. Our fridge and pantry are brimming with sustenance (its obvious I am not starving to death). I have been blessed with the good fortune to travel and learn and relax and be blown away by many wonders of the world. I have such an abundance of material possessions that I find myself purging every few months.
Best of all….God tells me in HIS word that I don’t need to fear or worry…in fact anything that is not of faith is not pleasing in His sight. Fear and worry are not of faith. AND I know that He has a plan for me, not to harm me but to prosper me and give me a future AND a hope. God tells his people to NOT fear more times in the Bible than almost any other warming, affirmation, advice or wisdom. Do not fear and Do not worry. What will fear and worry add to my life? Nothing but misery. So My God says Do not fear and Do not worry! His yoke is easy and His burden is light. There have been occasions where I have felt overwhelmed and wondered how this could all be true…but I know it is. God has taken care of me before in dire circumstances and I know that HE can and will do it again. My head knowledge has started to move into my heart I think. Im starting to believe what I already know.
So to sit around and fear and worry and choose negative thoughts really don’t do a thing for me or my quality of life. But to trust God…now thats a quality of life worth living. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I am a work in progress but this week I am just trusting God and not giving in to worry or fear for it is a useless activity and I find that I have much more time to enjoy this wonderful life that God has created for me. Its amazing how much more a person can get done (and enjoy it) when they are not dragging themselves down with fear and worry. My heavenly Father created the universe and He calls me friend so…I’ll let Him take care of me and try to enjoy His blessings with out taking them for granted. I also find the best way to get my focus off of myself and my problems is to put my focus into serving, loving or encouraging someone else. And this, my friend, is what makes a ‘Wonderful World”. Selah!
From April 26, 2013
The Red Plaid Apron 