I had another baby. My oldest son has three kids, my daughter just had a baby girl named Reese Jacklyn (yes, Jacklyn is my full name and it does a Momma’s heart good to have a child bear her name) – and my middle son is due to have their first baby on June 1st. Our family is getting bigger and bigger.
A long time ago, when I was pregnant with my second son, I learned something powerful about a Momma’s love. I’ll never forget wondering if I could possibly love another child as much as my first. But I did and I do.
It’s not like God hands each mom a chunk of love and the people in our lives have to share a piece of the love pie. Nope. The pie just keeps growing bigger. It’s quite beautiful and amazing. I think the Lord did a very good thing when He gave the human heart the capacity to have the kind of love that never runs out. With each new grandchild that is born, my cup overflows.
On the other hand, I have noticed something else about having a bigger family that’s not quite as lovely. It’s kind of a mom thing, I guess. The more people I love – the more things I find to worry about. Lately I have been finding myself up in the night praying over my “worry list”. They are pleading kind of prayers.
I worry about the future and I worry about things that could happen but might never happen. I worry about pregnancies, deliveries, and all the changes that go along with that. I beg the Lord to answer my prayers the way I want them to be answered.
I worry ahead of time about the grandkids. I worry about their health and their happiness. I worry about whether or not they will find truth in today’s culture and then I worry about whether or not they will have the courage to remain true to the Lord.
I know…it sounds kind of ridiculous. But you see…I have a very legitimate reason why I need to worry. I am married to a man who will not worry. He won’t talk about anything that might happen tomorrow. He won’t even visit worry and honestly – someone in the family needs to be responsible. So, as the responsible matriarch of the family I pin on my worry badge and wear it with honor.
Then as God so often does, He spoke directly to me through my morning devotional.
Whenever you worry or try to fix things, you are setting up little kingdoms and making yourself the King. You need to move yourself out of the way and get down off the throne that does not belong to you. Trust the King of Kings to look after every person and every prayer of your heart.
Oh, my. That one hit me right between the eyes. I do not want to be in charge of any kingdoms and I do not want to be King. I felt myself taking my very large bag full of worries and swinging it as far as I could towards the altar of the Lord.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3
Anytime I worry, I am not trusting the Lord. I know that. But it isn’t always easy to convince my emotions to follow suit with my head.
The day after I read my morning devotional about kings and kingdoms, I was driving in the car and I was listening to the song Forever Young . (Not that you care, but I linked you to a version from the Parenthood series since my husband and I had just finished watching the last episode. And besides – Bob Dylan may have written the lyrics, but when he sings his songs he completely demolishes his own work.)
Now – this might sound kind of crazy, but as I listened to the words I turned it into a prayer over all of my grandkids. It’s not a church song, but I don’t think God cares. I played it over and over lifting up the grandkids that we have and the grandkids that we have yet to meet. I prayed it over my kids and their spouses and I prayed it over the other young people who I love so dearly. And now I have developed a new habit to replace my worrying habit. Each day when I get into the car, the first thing I do is turn on Forever Young and I pray. It’s kept me off the throne.
We don’t have to worry or get stressed out – ever. We were not assigned to sit on the throne and we have no business making kingdoms for ourselves. When our little hind ends are perched on the throne we are not leaving room for the Lord to do His work. Even when life feels out of control or hopeless or scary – God is working behind the scenes and He doesn’t need our help. He is still in control.
“He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:14b
Have you set up any kingdoms for yourself? Are you sitting on the throne of your life or someone else’s? Take off your tiara and get out of the chair as fast as you can…turn your worries and your concerns into prayer.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
Bob Dylan
***I skipped the post beginning with J – as I am off my schedule and plan to post “Just For Fools” for April Fool’s Day. I’ll make it through…slowly but surely.
Until next time,
