"You do not have to worry..."

Totally random, but I just realized I've been humming Greg Brady's "Clowns never laughed before, beanstalks never grew, ponies never ran before, till I met you..." song for a while this afternoon!  How on earth did that get stuck in my head!?  Made me laugh. :)

Anyway, while walking to the elevator, I noticed the paper from a fortune cookie sitting on the bench in the hall.  Being a lover of fortune cookies and fortune cookie messages, I stopped to read it:

"You do not have to worry about your future."

And for whatever reason, it didn't feel cheesy.  It felt like a little note from God... one that could apply to everyone, but something that He meant for me to read at that moment.  (Not as a promise that nothing will go wrong, but as a reminder that I am not in control and worrying serves no purpose.)  Simple, I know, but I decided to post it in case anyone else needs that encouragement.  You do not have to worry about your future.  Marriage, money, health, career, trials, friendships, your heart's desires -- pray about it, and choose to trust God.  God sees you and cares about the desires of your heart, and He has a unique plan and knows the right timing for your life.  When you feel lost or overwhelmed, He will be with you.  When you don't understand His purpose in some heartbreaking event or trial, trust His heart.  And when others do something to intentionally harm you, be confident that He will work out it for your good if you trust Him. 

"But I am trusting You, O Lord, saying, 'You are my God.  My future is in Your hands!'" 
(Psalm 31:14,15)

Thankful Thursday (16)

"Praise the Lord!  For He has heard my cry for MERCY. 

The Lord is my strength and shield. 

I TRUST Him with all my heart. 

He helps me, and my heart is filled with JOY. 

I burst out in songs of THANKSGIVING." 

~Psalm 28:6-7

Love, love, love it!! =)

This week, I'm thankful for...

1. The prayers of my friends... thinking of nine specific people (those I know well enough to confide in) who have all been encouraging and very willing to help when needed, who are sincerely praying with and for me at this time.  And that (to have that depth of friendship with people who love God, and that my family and I are covered in prayer during any trial) means a lot to me!!!
2. Brownies... because let's be honest, I'll always be thankful for chocolate! :)

3. The Holy Spirit.... specifically for teaching me and leading me toward balance!   (On food and exercise, mercy and truth, etc.)
4. Great conversations -- (being understood; fun, interesting, uplifting, with genuine connection) -- including talks with Tara and Liz during our dinner at Napolis, with Mom this weekend, and with Malori most every time we talk! :)
5. 

   That my kitchen "remodel" has officially begun (very strange having no sink and these LOUD dryers going all day)!   Also thankful that insurance is taking care of everything but the deductible - hooray!
6. 

   American Idol, aka the Steven Tyler show.  (Shocking, I know - I really didn't think they would suck me in this year.  I had no intention of watching and deleted it from the shows to record in my living room, but forgot to do so in the exercise room, so I decided to watch an episode last week while jogging.  Didn't think it would be any good without Simon, but it turns out Steven Tyler's bizzare, flirty personality really cracks me up, and I'm a much bigger fan of J-Lo than Kara or Paula!) Well played, AI producers... I applaud you! :)
7. Finally (fiiiiinalllyyyyyy) finding an awesome "Community Group" at BattleCreek!  Very, very excited about the great discussions, and looking forward to really getting to know these people... thanks, God!! :)

And now, my song of the week = Everything to Me by Avalon!