What time I am afraid

Recently my mom and I were remembering an eventful trip she, my brothers and I made to my Granny’s house. Somewhere between Fort Worth and Granbury, Texas we found ourselves on a dead end road that literally ended in a field.  Being the oldest child I tried to remain calm but I was scared to death! My mother recalls me saying several times, if only Daddy were here. If we had had a cell phone, you better believe I would have been on the phone with him certain he could have guided us back to our road. My mother, however, did what she knew to do. She prayed and then she thought about where we had come from and where we must be in relation to places that were familiar to her. Then she began to make our way back in the direction that seemed logical to her. And then she stopped at the only place she could find and asked directions, a bar in the middle of nowhere!  To say the least, I was now petrified. My brother, Michael, who was 8 or 9 at the time, went in with her. (Well, someone had to stay in the car with the two younger boys!)  We eventually made it back to the right road and arrived safe and sound at my Granny’s house.

My mother taught me a valuable lesson that night about dealing with fear and anxiety.  I remember thinking how can she not be scared! Now I know she was, but despite her fear, she did not panic.  Instead before she reacted, she prayed and she thought about what she knew and then and only then did she act.  And when an opportunity presented itself, she asked for help.  Over my lifetime, she has had to teach me this lesson again and again.

 In Philippians, we are told; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6-8) My mother certainly knows how to pray. But here’s the real secret I think she knows, just before these verses Paul reminds us that “The Lord is near”.  That scary night in Texas I was certain, if my Daddy had been near I would not have been afraid. I had complete trust in my Daddy’s ability to protect and direct us in any situation.   I’m convinced that the simple knowledge that my heavenly Father is near is the only antidote for the fears and anxieties life presents. Where ever we find ourselves, He is there!

I want to live with no fear, like I did as a child when my Daddy was near. But in the mean time I want to follow the verse my mother-in-law often quotes. “What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3.

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday

Ronda

My mother and my mother-in-law are completely different personalities, but both have taught me much about trusting in the Lord. I am blessed with two wonderful mothers whom I love dearly! Happy Mother’s Day!

My mother-inlaw, Grace Darlene
My Mother, Virginia and
their grandaughter, Virginia Grace
Graduation 2005.