In August 2011 Bob and I were facing major life changes; empty nest, becoming grandparents, and me ending camp ministry to begin church ministry. But I was still waiting for what God would have for me. I realized that if I woke up on September 1st without a job, it would be the first time since 1981 (the summer of my junior year in high school) that I would not have something I had to do. I had segued from school, to jobs, to homemaker, to job, to school again. September 1 would bring a stillness to my life that I had not experienced in thirty years. And I wasn’t sure what I would do in that motionlessness.

On August 12, we were traveling south on I77. We had been on the road to Clinton, SC for seven hours with three more to go, moving our oldest son, his wife, and child to their new home. I had been staring out the window at the scenery letting my mind wander through its verdant mental pastures. We passed under a bridge and suddenly I was jolted back to reality; there on a concrete pillar someone had spray painted in blue, “TRUST JESUS.” Then my mind had something upon which to ponder.

I wondered what prompted someone to grab a can of spray paint, go down to a random bridge on I77, and paint “TRUST JESUS”? Was it done in the middle of the night when traffic was safer? How do I feel about the fact that a bit of illegal graffiti gave me a message from God? Of course, I had been praying about all of our life transitions, and God continually gave me the message to trust Him. And right there, on a concrete bridge pillar in North Carolina, he reminded me again. Odd, isn’t it? God can use the strangest things to comfort our discombobulated souls.

God continually speaks to us; it is we who are often not paying attention. What is happening in your life right now that sends your pulse racing and causes you to worry about your future? Jesus tells us not to worry, Matthew 6:25-34. And Paul wrote the following to the believers at Philippi, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

A Chinese proverb says, “That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change; but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent.”

When my mind spins out of control with worry, it means I have given control of my thoughts to something that hasn’t happened yet; I’ve let those pesky birds nest in my hair!

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." Psalm 37:4.  

So, friends, if anxiety and worry are filling your mind, ask the Spirit to calm your spirit and take control of your thoughts so that you can remember to rest in the care of your loving Father.

And keep your eyes and ears open for messages from God!

I’m praying for you, Pastor Deb