Uncertainty About the Future

I've been uncertain about the future, specifically, my personal future. It is not a good feeling. Today was one of those days when uncertainty robbed me of my joy.

I look forward to a day when I immediately turn feelings of uncertainty over to the the One who knows the future. I look forward to the exquisite moment when this born-again believer puts her money where her mouth is, so to speak, and makes a decision to trust.

Unfortunately, today I made my life difficult. These are some of the tactics that riddled my day because I did not take the time this morning to seek God and to allow Him to fill me with His peace.

I kept thinking that the butterflies of unrest in my being would depart if I found just the right thing to eat. So, again and again, I found myself standing with the door open to the fridge. I scanned every nook and cranny, moved things around, picked things up and replaced them again, but I found not a single morsel that I believed would help me.

Talking to a friend might help. I found my phone and scrolled down the list of contacts. I called someone who wasn't home, and I neglected to leave a message. I have a neighbor who looks out for me but was away from home, and she answered her cell. Her voice immediately made me feel less anxious. She was cheerful, yet still sympathetic, while being completely optimistic. I thought that even if the future brought pain, I have a dear friend who somehow would lessen its impact.

I thought exercise would help and fresh air, too. Good thing my dog was waiting for her walk anyway. We tramped along enjoying the scenery and spoke to the occasional neighbors working in their yards.

I found myself at the far end of the cul-de-sac where the property manager lives, and I rang the doorbell. I nonchalantly gave him some news, some news that negatively affects me but that has no bearing on his own life. He looked at me quizzically, and I realized that I did not appear completely "normal" to him. So I said something about my needing to continue walking the dog, and gave him a See ya later and that was that.

The Lord has enormous patience with me. He allows me to choose countless diversions over spending time with Him.

Remembering 9/11

Ten years have passed since 9/11/01 when thousands of innocent Americans died. We honor them today as best we can. Sadly, many thousands more lives were lost because of wars the United States conducted following 9/11. We have created more enemies of the U.S. for generations to come.

When we assess where we are today, we can't help but ponder why our choices have not made us a better nation. We have discovered that our American way of life is fragile, and that the U.S. is not the center of the universe. We blamed all of Islam for the senseless attacks of terrorists. Yet many of us have friends and family born into Islam, and who through it, seek God's will and seek to live in peace with others--just as Christians and Jews claim to do.

Humility before God is something we need to develop personally and as a nation. We cannot trust our government or banking institutions to have the answers. We can only trust in God.