Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Good morning, Friends-- 

     ACCK!  Why won't my eye quit twitching??  In a few days time we were meeting with a counselor to talk about the situation with our "daughter of the heart" and her parents, Cliff's brother and his wife. Jennie had been living with us for several years with the original goal being that she would move back home with her other mom and dad..  However, since she had come to live with us as a sweet, little 9 month old there was no change in the status of care for Jennie.  Cliff and I told her parents that as such, we wanted to change some of the patterns into which we had all fallen. The change was not something they wanted, and they requested we meet with a mediator to talk about this.  Now, my eye was twitching like crazy.  I was trying not to worry, but I was worrying. 
     Finally, the day arrived. As we got up to enter the office of the counselor, I had this "See ya later, Jesus" thought,  but suddenly I was flooded with peace and an "I'm going into the session with you, Daughter.  No waiting room for me!" 

     Jennie is now a beautiful 16 year old girl who lives with her parents and spends lots of time with her "family of the heart." Has this lesson taught me not to worry? Well, it has helped, but I'm not totally cured! If you see my eye doing jumping jacks, feel free to ask me about it!

     "Weaning Ourselves from Worry" is the title of Brother Mick's message this week with scriptures from Isaiah 49:8-16a, Psalm 131, and Matt. 6:24-34. 

Psalm 131 is short but beautiful as it presents an image of peace and trust. 

^\   Lord, my heart is not proud;
      my eyes are not haughty.
   I don’t concern myself with matters too great
      or too awesome for me to grasp.
  Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
      like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
      Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

  O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—
      now and always.

     The young adult class is not planning to meet on Sunday as many of us will be away.  However, you are welcome to hang out upstairs if you are looking for a couch! :)

      My prayer for you today:  Creator God, you are always with us; in waiting rooms, in operating rooms, in the classroom, in the office, in the car, in the home, in the woods, or at the beach.   No matter where we are, there you are.  You will never leave us nor forsake us.  That should be enough.  That is enough.  Help us to comprehend and hold the love you have for each of us in our hearts and minds. Come kingdom of God.  Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  AMEN

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!  Call me anytime. :) 
love and light,
carol

 "Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd