It's all just talk ...

Today I got an email that made me nervous. It was a polite request for a meeting, but something about it raised a lot of questions and even alarms in my mind. Because I assumed I knew what the meeting would be about, I got angry. Then I got beligerent. I ranted for a while. I worried for a while. I huffed, and I puffed, and if there'd been anything wobbly nearby I'd have blown it down! As I sat in my chair, I caught sight of my cell phone from the corner of my eye. I love my cell phone cause my friends live in there. In a rush, I began to think about a variety of conversations I've had in the last two weeks with my friends. I thought about all of the things they are having to trust God for, and all of the times I have counseled them that trusting Him is the best and only way to weather life's storms. You can probably guess the next thought through my head. "Will you trust Me, Kristen?" Ah, man! I was busted. I had to run through a series of "But God's ..." before I finally surrendered. It's amazing what happens when you give to the Lord what's already His. I spent a little time telling Him how much I love the things I think might be threatened. I told him how scared I am of what the future might hold. I told him how nervous change and transition make me, especially when they come from so many angles all at once! I didn't hear any audible voice or have any real visions, but it wasn't hard for me to imagine my insanely patient, gracious heavenly Father nodding calmly as I listed each concern and saying simply, "I know."
He knows. He knew before the email came. It's all just talk until it's my turn to practice it, and I desperately want to live it well. So, I've given Him the email. I've given Him the meeting. I've given Him my future. (All things He already owned, of course!) Tonight, after a full day at work and three more hours at VBS, I finally had time to call a friend and give vent to all my concerns. You know what I found? I didn't have any. I got her on the phone, and I couldn't think of a worry one to tell her about. :-)
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7