Don't worry - He's got this

Sometimes when I catch a glimpse of everything I'm doing at one time I have to laugh. I can only imagine what anyone looking in on me would think. For instance - I was working on a doctorate level paper, listening to the sound of Bambi playing on TV in the background, watching the clock to make sure I didn't miss the bus, texting a friend, and timing labor contractions. Yep. All at the same time. And that's not unusual in my world. Well - other than the contractions. Welcome to my life - crazy as it may be.

Last night I fell victim to one of the devil's nastiest little tricks - fear. I was overwhelmed with the what if's and I can'ts. I was looking at the weekend with the wrong eyes. My husband was leaving for a week in FL, I was having contractions and had just been told Wednesday "any time now" about our baby girl's soon arrival. My family and friends are hours away. My husband's family is busy with work, the failing health of a couple of older members, and a scheduled family party on Sunday. My "reinforcements" - AKA - friends who are willing to drop everything in their lives and come and stay for a week or two to help out - aren't scheduled to arrive until late Monday at the earliest. Nothing is going according to our well thought-out plans and agenda. Just as I was about to hit the big panic button a post popped up on Facebook. It was a simple picture that read "You worry too much. I have this. Remember? Love, God." I just started laughing through the tears that were threatening to overtake me. His timing is perfect. So is His humor. Then I got to thinking...

If His timing is so perfect with a simple word of encouragement or a reminder of His control in all this chaos of life - how much more perfect is His timing with something bigger and more consuming - like the arrival of a baby or caring for the needs of His children? Yes - my plans are being changed and the perfect timing in my vision is way off. But - in His timing - it's all right on schedule. In His plan there isn't a "what if" or any "oops." He totally has this whole weekend under control. It's been fine all along. What went wrong was my focus strayed and my doubts started to shout louder than His truths stored in my heart, mind and soul.

Another post on Facebook popped up. Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" song.
     "Don't worry about a thing,
     'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
     Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
     'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Another friend sent me a reminder via text - "The battle's already been won. The victory is ours. Stop stressing. It's all already okay in the end."

By the time I fell into bed last night I was consumed with a peace beyond any comprehension. I knew I could end up at the hospital giving birth at any moment - with or without someone there with me - and it was all OK. I knew I could have to deal with leaving my other three kids with someone at the spur of the moment and would have to trust that they were being well taken care of while I was in the hospital. But it was OK. It wasn't scary anymore.

When I woke up this morning I had several surprises in store. First, my sister-in-law had the day off and took my boys to school. Worry one gone. Over. Erased. Non-existent. Then when she came home she took my Emma and me out to breakfast. That's one way to keep Emma occupied for a couple of hours without me having to chase her around the house cleaning up after her two-year-old wave of destruction. Worry two gone. Over. Done. During breakfast my sister-in-law and I managed to come up with a "plan of action" for the weekend - just in case. Worries three through a million - gone. Over. Invisible. I literally took a deep breath and thought "Thanks God. You did it again. You proved again that I was wrong to doubt and right to let it all go last night. You proved again that You were already many steps ahead of me. I'm sorry I let fear creep in again."

Overnight I had messages from the most unexpected people filled with encouragement and even offers of help. Two people I never dreamed of even used the words "if anything happens or you need anything, call me. I'll be there." Some people's paths crossed mine in the past 24 hours that were so far beyond my imagination it just blew my mind. Didn't surprise Him though - He had them there ready for the exact moment they were needed.

It's funny how many times we have to learn the same lessons over and over - and sometimes out of the blue, when we least expect it. But I wouldn't trade the learning experience for anything - because it was another moment of me growing closer to my Father and learning to trust even more. The feeling of being safely tucked inside the shelter of His arms is totally worth it.

So what's worrying you today? What do you need to let go of and trust Him for? Don't worry so much. He's got this. Remember?