When I was a young mom, my mother-in-law had a saying, “Don’t put up your umbrella before it rains”. Having a propensity to worry, this saying really spoke to my heart and has been a wonderful reminder throughout my life.
When we worry, we can spend much of life thinking about things that never really happen. It can become a tremendous burden, and if you’ve ever carried an umbrella for a long period of time, you understand how exhausting that can be. The worst part is that carrying an umbrella of worry can prevent us from seeing the beautiful blue skies above.
Many of us carry umbrellas if we have been hurt in the past. There was great pain in leaving our church of 25 years. Our family was no longer welcome because our younger son is gay. This has created some wounding that has manifested itself in my present life, three years later. I have found it difficult to fully commit to another church. Oh, I can attend a church regularly and even serve on a team, but stepping into the life of the church has been a real challenge for me. I could be hurt again. The “What ifs…?” remind me of the potential for future hurt. But… if we spend our lives protecting ourselves from the “what ifs”, are we really living? Can we receive all that God has for us?
Jesus never mentions umbrellas in the bible but He does speak about worry. Worry is an obstacle to living fully but we don’t have to live that way. I am finding that when I take a step forward in faith and trust in God’s love for me, I am empowered to resist the urge to protect my heart. I may have an umbrella clenched in my fingers some days, but it remains closed most of the time.
This week, don’t let worry be your guide. Live life to the fullest trusting in His love for you. Check out the blue skies!!
Stories Changing Lives!
Carol Marchant Gibbs