I tend to be a worry wort. I think I inherited this worry gene. My hubby says I can over think anything and that I look for trouble before it finds me.
Looking back, I think I get it honestly...from my two grandmothers. My Granny could worry you to death. My Nanny and my Dad would get into it all the time over her worrying...they finally just decided to disguise the word and call it "concern."
But how can you be a "good" mom and not worry just a little about your little chicks? I can't. The older I get, I can sympathize with my grandmas. I have to be honest, I worry when my kids are out of my sight. I worry about their health and safety, the decisions they make, how they treat others and how others treat them... it is a constant battle in my brain.
Does it consume me? No. I just randomly have my mommy radar on and feel the need to say a prayer for them throughout my day. That is unless there is an issue of real concern.
It seems like the older they get, there are more and more "issues of concern." Health issues, like all this flu stuff going around, my son with four wheelers and hunting trips with his dad, my daughter staying more and more at friend's houses and going to dances, hurt feelings, kids being mean, pressures of school, and the list goes on and on... it is enough to keep this mom in the bad habit of nail biting and leave me with butterflies in the tummy all day. Can you say ulcer?
What is a mom to do?
Well, this is what this mom did today... I came home on my lunch break, poured my heart out to the Lord, found a promise from Him in His Book, wrote it down and kept it in my pocket all day, pulling it out as a reminder when needed.
For family and friends reading this, don't WORRY, nothing is wrong with the kids right now. I just have a few little things, issues that "I" am going to have to let go of. I'm going to have to realize my kids are growing up, changing before my eyes and may "think" they need me less. You see, just like I don't think you can be a good mom without worrying at least a little, I think a GREAT mom knows where to take those concerns. Which is something I am working on...letting go, and trying to let God.
I will still be "concerned." But I have decided to give up today, and let God do His job. He really is better at it than me, anyway.
Oh, and in case you want to know what verse I carried around in my pocket all day...
"Do not be anxious for anything, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the PEACE of God which TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. " Phil.4:6-7
Doesn't get any better than that for a worry wort like me...
17 comments:
Mich,
When I read this post it sounded so much like me just last year. However, I have discovered so new ideas that have helped me let go and let God.
If you can email me your address I want to send you a great book I got called Real Moms...Real Jesus. It has helped tremendously.
Stevenkat27@verizon.net
Until then, prayers going up for you. You are not alone. There are lots of us out there standing shoulder to shoulder with you.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Oh I am so glad that He is in control and that He watches over them ALL the time especially those times I am not there. I worry so much too
Many years ago, when my kids were young and I had already become an obsessive worry wart...GOD spoke to me and this is what I wrote in the front of my Bible: "if you are going to pray, don't worry and if you are going to worry, don't pray." When we worry we take it back from GOD. As you can see...I have returned to that note on MANY occasions. It is a difficult road raising our kids, but clearly GOD is in control.
Blessings, andrea
Hi Mich, I had a post on the same topic of 'letting go', I was reading a meditative book for women when i was worrying and upset with my boy. Pop over and take a look at that verse, it was pretty long. I like that little message Andrea had on her bible, think I'll do the same. I am a worry wort too. That is why sometimes I think God is darn irritated with me. LOL.
Great post and rings so true with me......Loved visiting your blog...Blog hopping is one of my favorite things to do.
Hope you will stop by my Christmas blog...a great giveaway will be given away Sunday night....
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com
That's one of my go-to verses, too, Mich. And this is one of my favorite posts of yours. What great self-help to seek His help.
When my children were younger, I experienced separation anxiety when they were away from me.
I'm doing a little bit better now.
And, yes, that verse helps along the way.
Sweet dreams.
Sis,
Need I say it? Don't worry, you can be concerned. There, I got it out. Mark one thing off your list. Amber and her 4 came tooling in tonight a little over thirty minutes ago. They're fine.
Good reminders - I'm proud of you - have I told you that lately.
Love,
Jim-Dad
the more we let go, the more God comes..
God Bless
BM
{{{hugs}}}
I know it is so hard.....I struggle with worry alot when it comes to my kids. I will soon have TWO driving in a month and I know I am going to be a mess.
But I have to keep reminding myself that these children (all children) are God's children and Who is better to keep them safe?
OH and I think I might check out that book that Kat suggested.
peace
*~Michelle~*
Yes, Mich, I was wondering what verse you found. Great verse and thank you for sharing it. It is so easy to forget these wonderful promises God gives to us, but what peace we have when we keep them in our hearts and meditate on them.
Thanks for the veggie prayer! Ha! Ha! You are so cute!
♥Hope
Oh, I love it that you carried that scripture with you. You have a beautiful heart, Mich!
Your mommy-blogger friends understand. As you take your cares to Him in prayer and believe on His Word, like you are doing, He takes care of the details. I love encouraging our cherubs to look for His faithfulness and provision throughout the day,too.
Worry wart? No....a loving mom!
PS -- did you see you won the devotional "Day by Day" by Blackabys? I just need your mailing address! :)
I struggle with this more often than I care to admit. I think it is human nature - not that it is right. I struggle with giving it all over to God and not letting it control me. It is hard to take captive those thoughts.
A perfect verse for a worrisome heart. I think we've all been there; I still harbor some angst for each of my children, but years and a willingness to bring it all before Jesus has gone a long way in helping me find some peace ... for the journey! If you ever need to bounce your feelings off of me, feel free to email me or call.
Have a great weekend.
peace~elaine
HUGS from a fellow worry wart mama!
Blessings,
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com
I remember when the kids were really little, and thinking how will I survive when they are old enough to go off by themselves and I can't control who they see and what they do, and I can't "protect" them?
I think we just sort of grow into that kind of trusting. When my son first was learning to drive I wondered how I'd be able to stand it watching him drive away some day.
Then I wondered how I would be able to stand it when he went off to college and I had no idea who his friends were or what he was doing.
It's just a process, isn't it. Slowly we just develop our "trust muscles," lol!
I am finding God faithful, as you know I would, but I still have my moments. My son and friends drove away for a weekend camping trip and I just prayed for their driving safety, etc.
My son later filmed some of it, and they sat for an hour with all eight of these college aged guys singing worship songs in a public place, and he talked about how all these other Christians joined them (people they didn't know). It was so awesome to hear!
They were kind of in a secluded park like area, but their singing caused people to find them and join them!
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