Consider the Lillies

I have been worrying. About....lots of things- like the new baby's nursery, the grass that needs to be mowed while D is away in Algeria (again), how I am going to be able to focus on learning French in an intensive class for 4 weeks while I am losing brain cells by the minute, choosing and ordering the right Bible study materials for the fall, getting everything done before my class starts (like shopping, meal plans, cleaning, etc), having the help that I need after the baby comes and my mom leaves and D goes back to Algeria....

It strikes me that all of this worrying is getting me nowhere and I have not been living in the peace that Jesus has already made available for me to live in. So, what is the point in worrying? It accomplishes nothing- it doesn't get things done faster, it keeps me up at night, and it convinces me to eat an inordinate amount of chocolate which adds to the poundage that will need to be dropped later...Basically, it is counterproductive.

So I am reminding myself aloud and in writing tonight that I am not to worry about my life (Luke 12:22). Before he left again for Algeria, D brought me a bouquet of my favorite flowers- lillies. I love the white ones and also the stargazers! He brought me a mixed bouquet of both! When he gave them to me, they weren't all opened up, so it looked like a lovely but small bouquet. Now they are all opening up, and the bouquet is bigger and more beautiful than the one we had at our wedding reception! As I sit here and type, I can smell them scenting my house with the most beautiful fragrance! I want to be like that bouquet, "scenting" the area around me by reflecting the life of Christ- living in His joy and peace every day! Paul says, "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (II Cor. 2:15), but how can I be that aroma to others when I am stuck in a funk of worry and stress? I think that the answer is, I can't. I need to stay in a place of peace by trusting in Him (Is. 26: 3) in order to accurately refelct His life, character, and love to the world.

Today the Lord reminded me that He is my source of strength, my Provider, and the one who meets all of my needs. As I was stressing out about how to get everything done and exhausted from staying up too late last night, a friend called. I then started stressing out about how to fit her into my schedule. She ended up meeting me at the grocery store and watching the kids play together at the little play area while I shopped. What a blessing! I didn't get everything on my to-do list done today, but is that really the goal of my day or life anyway? I often live like it is- beating myself up because I didn't accomplish more- feeling like a failure because I have so many things on the list that keep not getting done. What is that about? He also reminded me that He "GENTLY leads those who are with young" (Isaiah 40:11) (I take that to mean all mothers of young children). Just thought maybe some of you could use some of that same encouragement- and it was time for a new post. :)