February 23, 2016

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 (MSG) 

I don’t know about you but when something difficult or harsh happens in my life that could carry on to the next day or the next my mind dwells on it and really makes it much worse than it will ever be. It turns in to a big hairy monster with sharp fangs and scary eyes. Jesus just said in that verse not to worry about it but often I am not good at keeping that in mind. It reminds me of the Veggie Tales song “God is bigger than the boogie man. He’s bigger than Godzilla or the monsters on TV and He’s watching out for you and me.”

  
Can you tell I used to work with kids? You know what I mean by a big hairy monster. Bills looming over your head, job interviews, health issues waiting diagnosis, distant spouse, called to the principal’s office, boss says she wants you to see you in the morning, a misunderstanding with your best friend, you name it. Your scary monster is unique to you.

My daughter was born with a genetic disorder that had to be treated symptomatically. Being a working mom I was grateful to have a job that allowed me 12 days of leave a year. Every single one of those days was spent taking care of a sick girl either in the hospital or at home with a fever. You working moms know what I mean about using your leave to take your kids to the doctor or staying home with them. My grandparents cared for her when she was mildly ill which was God’s provision for our family. One day as I was getting ready to go home my boss’s boss caught me in the hall and asked me to stop by his office first thing he wanted a word. Walking to my car I burst in to tears fearing the morning.

Arriving home kids in tow, I threw myself in to hurridly making something somewhat palatable for dinner teary eyed the entire time. My husband got home and when he inquired about why I wasn’t eating I about bit his head off! My stomach was in knots. The kids were on their own for homework and baths. Tossing and turning I could not sleep. 4:00AM came and went as I rewrote my resume in my mind and calculated a quick budget with me on unemployment. Oh brother was my monster ugly! 

  

At 5:30 I just got up. Rushing the kids through breakfast, brushing teeth and getting dressed we got out the door. I don’t even remember telling my husband goodbye. The big hairy monster had gotten bigger, meaner, more threatening and scarier as I drove in to the parking lot. 

Walking in to work it was like my guardian angel smacked me on the forehead just like in that vegetable juice commercial! What was wrong with me? Why hadn’t I even entertained the thought of praying? God already knew all of my fears and concerns. I shot up a sentence prayer and walked in to the boss’s office. He told me it had come to his attention that I had taken 11 of my 12 leave days and he wondered if I was OK. Telling me I was an exemplary employee he went on to explain that although we are given 12 leave days we weren’t supposed to take all of them. That made no sense to me but it was the way it was. He said that when an employee gets close he feels a need to find out if everything is OK. I told him that my daughter had a myriad of health issues and that she had been in the hospital. Mr. Boss became very concerned and proceeded to tell me that he was there for me and if I needed anything to let him know. He did not want to loose me as an employee and wanted to help. I was gobsmacked! That ugly monster reduced to dust as I walked out of his office.

  

I had allowed the enemy of my soul to steal my joy, make me a crazy momma and crazier wife. Instead of giving this issue to Jesus with confidence I took it to a horror show starring Frankenstein’s monster himself. Lesson learned for the moment I went to my desk very thankful for a loving God and understanding boss. I definitely cannot say I have not worried or been fretful for situations since then but that experience burned in to my mind. Even if I had been fired God had me. He is holding me in the palm of His hand, I am safe under His wings. You beloved are safe, secure and held. You are free to breathe. Take a deep breath! Feel the freedom to live and walk in grace, mercy and love. When the hard times comes He WILL help you. You can count on that. God is faithful and does what He says 100% of the time. Walk close to Him today. He is waiting for you. ❤️#whenyouwalkwiththewise