Matthew 6:25-34

Worry! Worry changes everything!! Yeah, worry! Worry changes everything! Oh wait, that's supposed to be money right? Darn, yeah that is supposed to be money. Well, it's been years since I've listened to Cyndi Lauper sing that song, but this Cindy could make *worry changes everything* her theme song for the last month.

 Look, worry changes nothing but your blood pressure in an upward spike. Now, I know this. I've heard sermons on this. I've got Godly friends who pray for me and with me. But recently I got the wind knocked out of me, and well, I've been nothing short of a worry wart. Yeah, such a Christian thing to do huh? Not.

 Has my situation changed any because I chose to worry? No. Has it even made one iota of a difference whatsoever? No. I mean, folks, let me be blunt. If worry was an Olympic sport I would have a gold medal, I would be making the rounds on all the late night talks shows, on the box of Wheaties biting my fingernails, and yours truly would be the next quasi-celeb on Dancing with the Stars due to my awesome worry super powers. But with all of my fabulous worry ways one fact remains clear. My situation has not changed and I'm an anxious miserable mess.

 Worry is natural for me. I want to control this. I want to fix this. I can't stand not knowing. So in my natural mind if I can't see what's ahead, it's going to turn out bad for me, and thus worry creeps in and sets up a cozy three bedroom 2 bath home in my mind complete with a gameroom and fabulous kitchen. Worry doesn't even has to ask me I just let it come in and rent free at that!

 Okay, I'm trying to inject some humor in my situation. Sorry, I march to beat of my own drummer - always have and always will. But this morning upon waking up, the worry thoughts began to come. What if? worry worry. What will happen? worry worry? Again and again for several minutes until it had been at least an hour and here I was training for another Gold medal in worry. Then the still small voice spoke into my thoughts and touched my heart. It said to me *Take it one day at a time with Me.*

 One day at a time? Hmmm. That's a Christy Lane song right - yeah that commercial for her song had a life of about 20 years so it's ingrained into mind. Okay, let me reason this. (Of course the still small voice spoke to me and I'm going to reason with it - ). I reached for my bible and went to Matthew 6:35 and read this: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." 

 I allowed this scripture to resonate in my heart. I asked the Lord to forgive me for not fully casting my care on Him and to please help me. Throughout my day, when the worry thoughts would come, I declared Matthew 6:34 and confessed it over my situation. Nothing about my situation is taking God by surprise. God knows exactly what I need, when I will need it, and will give me the words to say at the right moment. 

 It takes the same amount of energy to worry than it does to believe and trust God. Worry is exhausting to your being. Believing and trusting God is refreshing to your soul. Alrighty, it's one.day.at.a.time. That I can do and I know God will never ask me to face anything that He has not equipped me to overcome. 

 Melody to One day at a Time. One day at a time, sweet Jesus That's all I'm asking from you Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine Help me today Show me the way One day at a time. 

 God Bless, Cindy

Monday Dose of Encouragement

Good afternoon! A few days from now will be the start of spring! The splash of yellow and purple flowers, birds singing, and bees buzzing. Oh glory! This makes me want to sing!!

Psalm 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

I'm back!!!

I'm back! Yes, I think we can agree that it's been a long, hard winter. I'm so glad that it is nearly spring! More to follow as we have a lot to catch up on!

Tuesday Dose of Encouragement

Wow! Have you ever been in a jam? A picture is worth a thousand words. Well, all of us have, and it's in those times that opportunities arise. Our ability to overcome circumstances depends on what we put inside of our heart. Put God's Word on the inside of you and He will fight your battles for you. He will give you strength to stand against the wiles of the enemy! God is for you not against you!

Oh, by the way, the horse, Gracie, is fine. Praise the Lord for *grace!* (I know cheesy joke-but I couldn't resist!)

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows grace and favor and glory! No good thing will He uphold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Sunday Dose of Encouragement

Do you know what the butterfly said to the caterpillar? "Before you can fly you gotta shake off this cocoon!" You must release the past so that you can create new beginnings! None of us drive a car worried about what lies ahead, we drive focused on what is in front of us-that is-if we want to get to our destination safely.

Focus on today. Be present in your life and in the life of those around you. The past is over; let it go. Forgive those who have hurt you and forgive yourself for hurting others. Forgiveness is a choice not a feeling. Forgiving allows you to receive the joy of the Lord, but it's your choice. Have you ever seen a butterfly that was trying to get back into it's cocoon? No, they flit and fly about as if they never were a caterpillar that crawled on it's belly. Butterfly's declare, "Baby, look at me now-it's time to fly!"

God paints a sunrise for you every morning as a testament to His faithfulness. Enjoy your new beginning today!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.-Lamentations 3:22-23

Saturday Dose of Encouragement

Hello! Well, it's been about a month since my last post-oops! Yes, I was busy with with Christmas obligations that I had. Our Christmas play at church was great! We had souls saved and brought hope to many. I hope your Christmas was special, but most especially, I hope you have Jesus-He is the best gift of all.

And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God. Luke 1:35

Friday Dose of Encouragement

You are important. You have immeasurable worth. God has an amazing plan for your life! Spend time in God's Word every day and His plan for your life will began to unfold. Be still and know that He is God!