Today’s reflections from my Catholic Bible Study remind me, “Don’t worry!” And trust me when I tell you, I used to be a huge worrier. Now, I worry sometimes, but it’s not a part of who I am and I certainly don’t define myself as one.
I wrote a post a long time ago sharing some of my struggles with worry, The Truth About Me and Bible Quotes. So much of my childhood was spent being called, labeled, and defined as a “worry-wort.” No more! That was miserable and honestly, really unfair. Don’t put that label on yourself or your children…shoot, don’t put it on anyone!
One more quick note. At the top of the page of my Bible for today’s readings I wrote, “Jacob=Israel” because sometimes I forget they are the same person, and a person, not just a nation.
Catholic Bible Study
Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20
Sirach 6:1-4
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him. Both of them were in tears.
Genesis 33:4
Sometimes, my perception of what’s going to happen or could happen is actually worse than what actually happens! So why worry? I can’t predict exactly what’s going to happen; and how many times have I tried and been wrong? Sometimes something totally different happens or even nothing at all!
What a relief it is to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the smile of God.
Genesis 33:10
There’s another verse somewhere about the smile of God. I love that! I love the image and idea, the reality even that God smiles!
Did you find him weak as a reed, moved by every breath of wind?
Matthew 11:7
I had the same Obstetrician for all my babies. He knew I had a tendency to worry in general but especially as my due date, or induction date drew near. With one of my pregnancies, he said, “Jenny, you need to be like a reed in the wind and bend because you’re trying so hard to hold on to everything and control everything, you’re going to break.”
I think there are times when I need to follow the example of Jesus and not get blown all over the place; to be steady–my one word for 2018. But there are also other times where I need to bend to save me from breaking.
Chris has said before that having multiple children will either teach you to bend or push you to break.
On that note, here are a couple of my favorite parenting books:
for revealing it to the childlike.”
Matthew 11:25-26
It’s ok if I don’t understand some things I read in the Bible. If the Lord wants or needs me to understand something, I will!
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Rest is a gift from the Lord–take it and use it wisely.
For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.
Matthew 11:30
Perfect fit! This reminds me not to take up any burden that isn’t mine to take up. Remember the story of David? He was going to fight Goliath and Saul wanted him to wear his battle gear, but it didn’t fit David! There are things in this life not made for me–they don’t “fit.”
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