The Bible talks a lot about not being afraid. I think it's just over a 100 times. I guess that if God says 'fear not' that many times, He probably means it! Why then am I afraid of so much?
I'm afraid of thunder, murky water, tornadoes, spiders, swimming it the ocean (Jaws, anyone?), cancer, new people, public speaking... the list goes on and on. But isn't it ironic that half of the things that I'm afraid of can't even hurt me? Thunder, new people, public speaking and murky water, all of those are only as scary as my imagination makes them. And is anything on that list too big for God to handle? Nope! Not a thing.
It's really a trust issue, when you get down to it. Do I trust God enough to believe that He'll take care of me? If I get cancer, do I trust God enough to believe the He knows what He's doing?
So next time you go to take a dip in your neighbors murky and therefore scary pond, 'Do not be afraid.' None of the fish nibbling on your toes are too big that God can't handle them.
..... and remind me to practice what I preach!
~Annie
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Love 'n tears
I wish that tears were automatically translated into little drops of love, directed towards whoever is on your mind.
My big brother left today. But this is different than when he was leaving for college, or a vacation. Yes, I would say that Afghanistan is very different.
Ever since the dad of twelve that we knew was suddenly killed in a car crash, goodbyes have had a profound effect on me. How was his family to know that the next time they'd see their dad would be in heaven? And in the same way, how am I to know that when my brother says 'see you later' that I really will see him later?
Thus I am sitting here, trying to see and to keep my snot where it rightfully belongs. Not on my face.
This balance is a hard one to find. The balance between the reality of life and its uncertainty, and the peace that surpasses all comprehension (Phil. 4:6-7). Anxiety is wrong... which is really bad news for a worry-wart like me.
I don't want this to have been the last goodbye.
It really bothers me when I can't do anything to help someone. When there's nothing I can say or do to ease someone's pain, when I can't protect my family in any way... All of those fears are all the sudden glaring me in the face. It's in times like these that I admire all those who allow their loved ones to go serve our country. It's also in times like these where I need to buckle down and pray. Hard.
'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace which surpasses all comprehension with guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' ~ Philippians 4:6-7
'Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you.' 1 Peter 5:6-7
~Annie
My big brother left today. But this is different than when he was leaving for college, or a vacation. Yes, I would say that Afghanistan is very different.
Ever since the dad of twelve that we knew was suddenly killed in a car crash, goodbyes have had a profound effect on me. How was his family to know that the next time they'd see their dad would be in heaven? And in the same way, how am I to know that when my brother says 'see you later' that I really will see him later?
Thus I am sitting here, trying to see and to keep my snot where it rightfully belongs. Not on my face.
This balance is a hard one to find. The balance between the reality of life and its uncertainty, and the peace that surpasses all comprehension (Phil. 4:6-7). Anxiety is wrong... which is really bad news for a worry-wart like me.
I don't want this to have been the last goodbye.
It really bothers me when I can't do anything to help someone. When there's nothing I can say or do to ease someone's pain, when I can't protect my family in any way... All of those fears are all the sudden glaring me in the face. It's in times like these that I admire all those who allow their loved ones to go serve our country. It's also in times like these where I need to buckle down and pray. Hard.
'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace which surpasses all comprehension with guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' ~ Philippians 4:6-7
'Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you.' 1 Peter 5:6-7
~Annie
Monday, July 2, 2012
I Am Alive!
Hello there.
This is just a post to let you friends in the blogger world know that yes, I am still alive. I haven't posted in a month or so... sorry about that!
You home-school-ees out there know that portfolio time is about as wild as the Amazon. Except for the jungle is replaced by piles of books and papers, and the wild creatures are replaced by stressed and frazzled family members. Sound familiar? :)
Since I don't have anything particularly important to say, I'm just gonna put up some verses that smacked my up the side of the head.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
-Colossians 3:23-24
Have an amazing day! God bless your socks off.
~Annie
This is just a post to let you friends in the blogger world know that yes, I am still alive. I haven't posted in a month or so... sorry about that!
You home-school-ees out there know that portfolio time is about as wild as the Amazon. Except for the jungle is replaced by piles of books and papers, and the wild creatures are replaced by stressed and frazzled family members. Sound familiar? :)
Since I don't have anything particularly important to say, I'm just gonna put up some verses that smacked my up the side of the head.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
-Colossians 3:23-24
Have an amazing day! God bless your socks off.
~Annie
Saturday, June 16, 2012
At a Loss
What do you say when there's nothing you can do to help them?
Last night, at 11 p.m. our good friend's vacation to our home was brutally cut short. So was the life of his father.
Our families grew up together, sharing everything from advice to homes. Their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and when the youngest was no older than 6 the Lord called her home. Now, 8 years later, they've lost their father to a car accident. 12 kids are now orphaned.
What do you say? What do you do? What can you do? Why do words seem so futile at times?
Even if you've never met them, please be in prayer for the Vradenburghs. Please, please pray.
~Annie
Last night, at 11 p.m. our good friend's vacation to our home was brutally cut short. So was the life of his father.
Our families grew up together, sharing everything from advice to homes. Their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and when the youngest was no older than 6 the Lord called her home. Now, 8 years later, they've lost their father to a car accident. 12 kids are now orphaned.
What do you say? What do you do? What can you do? Why do words seem so futile at times?
Even if you've never met them, please be in prayer for the Vradenburghs. Please, please pray.
~Annie
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