Archive for the Category »Matthew «

21
Apr
Worry Worry Worry
meg

What is it about being pregnant that makes me worry about anything and everything?

I worry about the kinds of foods I should or shouldn’t be eating

I worry, wondering if I’m drinking enough fluids

I worry about taking different headache and sinus medicines

I worry because I haven’t yet felt my little one move inside of me

I worry about each and every doctor appointment

I worry about the impending ultrasound, and what it will or won’t show us

I worry that this little one inside of me will never come to know Christ as his/her Savior.

There’s so many things to worry about, and I know it’s only just beginning. I know over the years I’ll worry about parenting styles, disciplinary issues, and the safety of my child as he or she goes out into the world. One day this child of mine will get behind the wheel for the first time, go off to college, chose a career, fall in love, and want to start a family of their own. Even then I’m sure I’ll still worry, hoping that this grown child of mine is happy and loved.

As a human I worry. I think it’s a part of who I am. But as a Christian I have a choice. Do I hold onto those worries, or do I give them to the Lord? I think that’s the defining point each and every day. When the “worry of the day” crops up, I have to decide if I’m going to hold onto it and let it consume me, or if I’m going to claim a portion of scripture, such as Matthew 6:25-34, and give that worry, and every worry over to the Lord.

Sometimes this means turning the same exact worry over to the Lord each and every day. Just the same, I believe that worry serves as a test in my life. The Lord wants to see if I’ll truly trust Him today and everyday.

I forget at times what a relief it is to give each worry over to the Lord. I forget the peace that fills me when I lay all my worries at the foot of the cross. It’s unexplainable. There’s nothing like it. It’s a peace that passes all understanding. It’s a peace that reminds me that the Lord God is more than able to take care of my worries. He is more than able, I just have to trust Him.

What are you worrying about today? Is it a loved one serving far away? Is it a child? A friend? Or a personal situation? Whatever that worry may be, I encourage you to entrust the Lord with it today. He’s more than able to handle your worry.

Lord, thank you that you take me just as I am, worries and all. Please take my worries about _________ today and replace those worries with your peace. Thank you for reminding me that you are more than able to handle these worries.

Category: Matthew  Leave a Comment
16
Apr
A Sick Day
meg

There was a time when I looked forward to being sick. I loved the days when I got to stay home from school, drink Sprite, eat chicken soup and watch Saved By the Bell and Full House all day. Being sick meant I got extra attention, my mom would hover over me, and my little kid brother would, for once, stopping bothering me. I loved it. Not so much anymore.

Now that I’m married, living across country from my mom, being sick is largely a lonely business. My husband is sweet and helpful, but he has responsibilities and a job to fulfill in the military, a job that doesn’t easily stop for a sick wife. On top of being sick, I’m currently pregnant with our first child, which brings on a new world of  worries whenever I start to come down with something. Because I know that when my body is rejecting nutrients, my sweet little one isn’t getting the nutrients he or she needs to thieve. And so I worry, and cry, and hate every moment of being sick while my husband is at work. I worry that something is happing to the baby. I cry because I’m an emotional woman whose hormones are out of whack. I hate every moment of it, because who likes driving yourself into town for Gatorade when you can hardly sit behind the wheel?

But most of all, I walk around, continually giving myself and the life of my little baby to the Lord. Today I’ve been reminded time and again that, even when my husband is at work, I’m really never alone. God is still God, and is still watching over me every second of the day. He understands all of the emotions I’m feeling, but most of all, he wants me to trust in him. I’m also reminded that each breathe this little one breathes inside of me has never belonged to me, but to Him. He has already ordained the number of days in this little one’s life (Psalm 139:16), so who am I to worry? (Matthew 6:27). I’ve only been pregnant for 4 ½ months, but already this little life has brought so much joy and excitement. There’s nothing more beautiful than a growing baby! I can’t help but be amazed at the picture of my growing belly, it’s that amazing.

No, I still don’t feel all too great at the moment. But I’m thankful, and trusting, and looking forward to the end of the day when my husband will come walking through the door. Until then, and even afterwards, I’ll give every sick moment to the Lord.

Category: Matthew, Psalm  Leave a Comment
24
Sep
Flexibility: susceptible of modification or adaptation
admin

I am a planner. I love my lists, love having my life in order, and love knowing exactly when my husband will come home each night. If I could, I would have dinner hot and ready, waiting on the table when he walks in the door.
I tried that once. The meal was cold by the time my husband got home. I’m sure he wishes he could be home at the exact same time every night, but life in the military can be very unpredictable at times.
A month ago my husband answered his phone, and found out that he had been nominated to fill an empty spot overseas. He was deploying out of the blue, just like that. A few weeks later he went into work, only to find that his position over seas had been deleted. They no longer needed him. Just like that, he was no longer going. Who knows what he’ll find out today or tomorrow.
I’m starting to find that it’s not my place to be upset by these sudden changes. Yes, they may not line up with what I have planned, but I have to adapt just the same.
As I was thinking about adapting, I started to wonder what the Bible has to say on this subject.
Here are a few verses I found interesting:
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15 NIV).
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1 NIV).
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NIV).
I could go crazy thinking about what would happen if my husband deployed today, but instead I’ll just look forward to the nice evening we’ll have tonight, eating dinner, playing games, and just enjoying each other’s company. Tomorrow will come soon enough.
Only God knows what will happen tomorrow. We really have little control over what will transpire. So we shouldn’t spend each day worrying and stewing over what might happen, instead we should just praise God for the moments we have today.
In an unpredictable world, there’s only so much we can plan. Things happen everyday that our out of our control. It’s so wonderful to know that in this inconsistent world, we have a constant God:
“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end” (Psalm 102:25-27 NIV).
God remains solid when the rest of the world tilts around us. So for today, I’ll hold onto the truth that he will be there, every day to help me through life’s twists and turns.

Category: James, Matthew, Proverbs, Psalm  Tags: ,  2 Comments
17
Aug
That Thing Called Fear
admin

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Right now I’m sitting on my porch, looking at my beautiful flowers, and enjoying this fine August afternoon. This past month has been a crazy one, but for once, I’m at peace with what lies ahead. Things are starting to come together. My husband’s “deployment check-list” is almost completed. Before I know it I will be saying goodbye. That day will be hard, I know. I’m sure some tears will follow, accompanied by a big bowl of feeling-sorry-for-myself ice cream and a lonely night in a big house. But for today I’m no longer fearful about what lies ahead.

What about you? Are you scared about anything? Or have you given that area of your life back to God. For me, giving fear back to God is something I do on a daily basis. Satan knows how to push buttons in my life. And one of those areas consists of fear.

What do I do then, what I start to become fearful?

I turn to God’s word.

Consider these versus. I hope one of them speaks to you personally today.

• “When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

• “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).

• “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
•    ”I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:4-7).
•    “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

If you’re fearful, remember that God is with you. He is ready and waiting to comfort you and help you through this rough time. But you have to reach out to him: “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).

Category: 1 Peter, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Luke, Matthew, Psalm  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment