Now I Know He is Speaking...

As many of you know, I leave in a few days to go on a wonderful, relaxing, romantic cruise to the Bahamas with my dear husband. Many thanks to our family and friends who are making this happen for us. Without them it would be impossible. While that sounds very extravagant I am sure, on the inside I have been a nervous wreck! I mean really bad. I have never left my two little JPMs for this long before, and when I booked the trip I thought I was ready. However, I have been having many doubts. Not for the safety so much of my children while I am away, but for mine and Paul's. Terrorists, pirates, disease (my gallbladder still hasn't been tested), illness (we've all heard of food poisoning on a cruise ship), theft, missing luggage...these are only to name a few of the concerns I have had. I have worried all day was God trying to speak to me through these concerns? I finally accepted my worries for what they were. Normal (thanks, Erica and Connie!) worries that any mom of two small children whom she loved with the entirety of her heart would feel if leaving them for 3 1/2 days!

Then, tonight I visited the blog of the mommy who I reference on here alot. I have been known to copy stuff from her blog and paste it here because it just "fits" so well what I am going through at the moment. I really feel God IS truly speaking to me through this post. And, I wanted to post I will think of you all as I bathe in the sun and read my People magazine in a few days! :)

In 'big church' this afternoon our pastor 'just happened' to be preaching on anxiety. He reminded us that worry was sinful because it indicated our distrust of God. He quoted several passages, but this familiar one from Matthew 6:34 was so fresh and timely when I read it from the Message: "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 realized this weekend that I am growing older. It had nothing to do with my physical body, and everything to do with the inescapable reminders of how complex and layered this world really is. There is so much pain, suffering, illness and sin. Yet, somehow, rather than growing hopeless at this reminder, I feel more aware. I want to firmly grasp the lasting, true things that will bring life and hope. I think through this realistic lens we are able to better appreciate the blessings of health, friendship, peace and love--especially the saving love of our Father.Our salvation would be meaningless without the realization of our need for it.