When my family and I moved to California from Iowa, as you can imagine, we encountered several changes in the vernacular: pop is called soda, we drive on the freeway instead of the interstate, and after church we gather in the foyer (foy-ay), not in the foyer (foy-yer).
For art today, my kids watercolored some Easter pictures. I love how they turned out!
But a new phrase that stood out to me to most was “No Worries.” In this part of the country, people say “No Worries” for “you’re welcome,” “no problem,” or “don’t mention it.”
This week I’ve heard “no worries” just a few times from neighbors (they called it out from over six feet away!) And I got to thinking about “No Worries.”
No worries. Honestly, there is so much that we are all worried about right now. It seems like each day there are more tragedies, more disappointments, more fears.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
And I don’t want to sound trite, but today working to remember that we are told in Scripture not to worry. I have to remind myself about a thousand times a day to not worry. Do you, too? It takes a lot of discipline not to worry about the possibility of job loss, sickness, or not being able to buy our groceries or other supplies.
I’ve been meditating on these verses in particular.
Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? …Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
– from Matthew chapter 6
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
I think of this quote from Corrie ten Boom, the famous WWII survivor. She agrees with Jesus:
But practically, howdo we do this? How do we stop worrying? Its easy to say, “I’m going to stop worrying.” But its much harder to actually stop! For me, I’ve realized that I can’t truly do this on my own. I must have help. I turn to the ultimate Helper and ask him to show me how.
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4
Isn’t it wonderful that we can call out to Jesus, the one who knows how hard it is to trust and to not worry. He understands what it means to be human! He tells us not to worry, and then he is available to help us.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6
My prayers sound like this, “Lord, you’ve always met out needs before. Help me to trust that you’ll do it again. Help me to remember that you are my helper and provider. Help me not to worry.”
During this Holy week, join me? Give your worries to the merciful, loving Savior who gave his life for us. He wants us to have “No worries.”
Cast all your cares upon him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Luke 24:6-7
Annie spends her days learning alongside her five kids, reading aloud intriguing literature, and whipping up new recipes in the kitchen. She and her family live in Southern California, enjoying both the mountains and the ocean.
Thanks so much for your note today. Very comforting and uplifting.
Your kids’ art is terrific!
Thank you, Cathy. All we can do is trust in the Lord at this time! Thanks for your kind words about the arts; we use Youtube tutorials a lot! Its wonderful because you can pause or rewind whenever necessary. Hope you have a wonderful Easter!
Thanks so much for your note today. Very comforting and uplifting.
Your kids’ art is terrific!
Thank you, Cathy. All we can do is trust in the Lord at this time! Thanks for your kind words about the arts; we use Youtube tutorials a lot! Its wonderful because you can pause or rewind whenever necessary.
Hope you have a wonderful Easter!