Peace for the Journey

Monday I went to a barbecue given by one of my friends. It was the first time that I had met any of her family. They were wonderful. They treated me as if they’d known me all of their lives – they treated me like…well, like family! I felt the same way.

My friend comes from a large family. I enjoyed my time visiting with her sister, brothers, and all her friends. But the highlight of my evening was spending time talking with her “80-something” mother. What a precious woman of God; what a delightfully happy soul.

She and I talked about many things – and the name of Jesus wove through our conversation like a thread pulling all our thoughts together. She had a phrase that she kept repeating – it was like her faith motto. And I just loved it – “You know, Sharon, God’s gonna get you where He wants you to be!”

When I got home that night, I couldn’t get that out of my mind. Lately, I’ve been consumed with thoughts about the future. I have so many expectations, hopes, dreams, and yes, fears about what’s going to happen. I’ve been really worked up about it all.

I feel impatient sometimes – sometimes excited, sometimes anxious. I feel everything but peace it seems. Like it’s “all up to me!” Like I’m a human “Garmin” – I am in control of the direction of my life. Turn here, turn there…speed up, slow down…go, stop…merge, pass…and whatever you do, DON’T CRASH!! How silly! I’m not really in control of my life at all.

And truth be told, I don’t really want to be. I liked it better when I was a little girl. My parents took responsibility for me. They made my decisions. They fed me and clothed me. They took care of my needs. They loved me freely, and all I had to do was love them back – because I trusted them. I want to be like that with God: Total trust, total peace – totally free to just love Him back.

Memory Verse:
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'”
– Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Prayer Prompt:
“Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that You care about me and about the details of my life. Thank You that You have plans for me, and that You will work Your purpose in my life – through every circumstance, no matter what. Give me Your peace, Lord. Teach me to rest in Your promises. Go before me as I walk into the future – the future You have laid out for me…because, after all, You’re gonna get me where You want me to be….”

Contributing Writer:
Sharon Kirby