Worry

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (bolding mine)

Everyone knows these are uncertain times. We have stress. If I really take the time to look at the world, well, I get stressed and depressed. Our nation, our government, the gas prices, the food prices. It all adds up to just stress.

Our Thursday night ladies Bible study has been doing a series on Daniel by Beth Moore. We have spent the last six weeks comparing our culture to Babylon. It has been eye-opening to say the least.

This week she talked about three ways we respond to trying situations.

1. Panic - Do the wrong thing.
2. We can be Paralyzed - We do nothing.
3. We can Pray - We do the power thing.

She talked about how Daniel, when faced with the difficult situation of the lions' den, he had already established a habit of prayer, and he just did what was natural to him. He prayed.

Then she mentioned the verse above with a special note on thanksgiving. When we give thanks in EVERYTHING, we take our eyes off of our situations and onto the Lord. We realize just what the Lord has done for us, and if He did it before, He will do it again and again.

Isn't God great?

Legacy: A Mother's Day Tribute

Our Pastor asked my grandmother, my mom and I to do a presentation today. We each talked about our mothers and the heritage that they have given us. This was my part of the presentation.

Proverbs 31 starts with these words "The sayings of King Lemuel - an oracle his mother taught him." The oracle his mother taught him. This is truly what mothers do: teach. We teach with words. We teach with punishments and rewards. But mainly we teach with actions, and those actions will have a far greater impact than words every will. My mother taught me many things, but the most important thing she taught me was what it means to be a Christian. This she has lived out before me. I have seen her commitment to the Lord lived out daily. I have listened to her pray for needs: my needs, others needs, and even her own. I have watched her give faithfully of her time, and her talents, and her money, even when it seems she has nothing left to give. I have watched her put aside herself and let Christ shine through her. This is my mother. This is my heritage. The is my legacy, a baton of godliness that has been past down through the women of my family to me. And now, it is my turn with the baton. My turn to teach. My turn to teach my children all that has been passed to me. So one day, I can pass the baton to them. So that my daughter can teach her children and the legacy will continue. It is not a legacy of money, or lands, or jewels but one of love, joy, peace, and a risen Savior. I am not running alone. I have a beautiful mother and two wonderful grandmothers cheering me on. Running with me on their knees. Proverbs 31:28 says her children rise up and call her blessed. This is what I do today. I call you, mom and grandmother, blessed. And most of all, I thank you for the Legacy.