January 22, 2016

Here’s a story from one of the Guideposts devotionals titled “Encouragement For The New Year”, written by Carol Kuykendall:

“Who can think about new beginnings or inspirational goals in the midst of old concerns?” I asked my lawyer-husband Lynn as he came in the door after a quick trip to the office to complete a couple of year-end responsibilities.
“Let me show you a gift I just received,” he said, pulling an attractively wrapped package out of his briefcase. On it was a card: “To Lynn. May this gift encourage you in the coming year.” It was signed by a friend in his Bible study group.  Lynn tore off the paper and lifted out a beautifully framed message, penned by a professional calligrapher. The message read:

Lynn,
Trust Me. I have everything under control.

Jesus

He set the frame down amidst the clutter on the kitchen counter so I could see that simple message as I went about my tasks. Slowly those words began to change my frame of mind. If I needed something to help me carry my old concerns into the New Year, I’d just found it … the determination to face each day’s concerns, trusting in the words of this promise from the Source of all comfort and strength.”

I know it is hard to forge ahead into a New Year of trying to complete “old tasks” while hoping to begin some new habits. I like this devotional because it speaks to the message I have been trying to pass along these past three weeks – in the midst of change, we need to remember who is in control – who has our backs. Worrying is a profession in my family. It has been passed down for generations. Recently I have been sitting in vigil with a family who has an elderly member who has been diagnosed from an un-recoverable medical condition. As they sit vigil, the elderly relative who is dying is worrying about them – worrying about what they are talking about, worrying about what might happen to her, and to them, and worrying about, well, everything. I spent one afternoon reminding her that Jesus has her back, that G-d has everything under control.

If you need to write it down and put it in a frame, remind your self daily that G-d has everything under control.
Pastor Dave