Worrying About Tomorrow

Tomorrow wraps up my first college term, two classes down and a million more to go. I look at my degree completion plan and all of the courses that I have before me and I feel overwhelmed, like there is no way that I will be able to complete this journey that I started.

The other night one of my seven year old daughters told me that she was worried about some tests that she had coming up at school. I told her, “Honey, God doesn't want us to worry about tomorrow. He says that today has enough worries of it’s own. Have you studied?” Her answer was yes. “Did you practice test taking?” Another yes. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”

Man I’m good at giving advice to my kids…. Not so good at following that same advice. Here I am looking at 7 years of school to become a Christian Counselor and worrying about the next six and a half of them. Sometimes I doubt my sanity in starting college now, at 32 with a husband, three amazing daughters, and a day job. I kind of like hanging out with that guy I married and playing with my kids, I have to work so that we have a house to live in and food to eat, what makes me think that I can jump into full time college on top of all of that? I have felt God stirring in my heart for years about gaining my degree and becoming a counselor, from my own struggles to all of those friends that I met for coffee so that we could work through an issue. I started school with a heart full of optimism and my “I can do anything” attitude. It didn't take long for me to begin feeling like maybe I had jumped in with both feet a little bit too soon.

Do you know what made me feel that way? That dang degree completion plan that lists out every single class that I will have to take in order to receive my degree. I found myself up last night stressing out about an internship that I don’t have to do for another three years. I was seriously worked up about how I was going to work and do an internship and still have time for all of the things that my family depends on me for. Talk about worrying about tomorrow.

I know that God placed it on my heart to be a counselor. I know that I am fully capable of carrying a full time college schedule and a part time job. I know that every day when I line up my schedule for work, school, kids, and housework, it is all doable. I have already experienced weeks when I get behind and have to ask that incredible man I married to help me out a little bit more. The kids have learned how to load and unload the dishwasher, sweep and vacuum the floor, and operate the washing machine; it was probably about time for that to happen anyway. I know I can do this with God’s help and guidance. I will focus on what He has asked me to worry about today, and tomorrow, well I’ll get to that when I get there.

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)

Dealing with temptation

Matthew 4:10, "Jesus said to him, 'Away from me Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "

Can you imagine going forty days and forty nights with no food? How about staying in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on your back? Then someone comes along who tells you to turn the rocks into bread and that you can have all of the wealth in the world. Now, imagine having so much trust and love for the Lord your God that, even though you are weak and hungry, you combat those temptations with truth from scripture. In everything, Jesus is an example for the way that we should live.

I wake up every morning determined that I am going to be that great, patient, loving mom who never yells at her kids or is late to an appointment. I will handle everything that comes my way during the day with grace and kindness. Usually, I make it for the first hour of the day. (My kids are still in bed during the first hour of my day.) As soon as the busyness of my day begins to sink in, my great intentions go out the window. I find myself snapping at the kids because they just spilled the milk, again. We rush out the door to get to work and school and I feel helpless again that I have spent the first few hours of my day being frustrated instead of loving.

I know that with God, all things are possible, even a peaceful morning with my three children. I want to rely on God's word in my times of temptation to loose my temper with my children. So, that is going to be my goal going forward. I will take an extra breath and recite a scripture instead of giving into the temptation to get angry. I think I will focus this week on Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." I am going to focus on giving gentle answers and staying away from the temptation of anger.

Christ Lives In Me

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me." Gal 2:20

When I think about the person that I was before I fell in love with Jesus, I am struck with amazing gratitude. If I had been left to my own devices, I know that I would not be where I am today. I can’t even begin to imagine the direction my life would have gone had I not discovered the love that Christ has for me. As a Christian, I am no longer a slave to the sin that used to rule my life. When Christ saved us, he replaced that old person with a new person that is free to live a life without sin.

Now, this doesn’t mean that I never sin. I sin every day, but that sin does not rule my life. This life that I live in my sinful body is guided by my faith in Jesus. He loved me so much, that he died for me. He endured suffering and even crucifixion because He loves me that much. My response to the knowledge of God’s sacrifice for me is to give my life to Him. I follow Him and I live my life knowing that my every action is a reflection of Christ living in me. I need to remind myself every morning before I walk out the door that when people see me, they are seeing the one that I serve.

Dear Lord, please keep your Son in the front of my mind throughout my day. Help me to remember that when people see me, they see you. Thank you so very much for sending Jesus to die for me. I love you Lord. In your Son’s amazing name, Amen.