Mothers seem especially good at worrying. We are designed to look after and care for our families, and so we are easily targeted to become worriers. But the problem with worrying is it is a complete waste of time. It accomplishes nothing good. As Jesus said, we can’t even get one hair to change color by worrying, so what makes us think worrying will keep our kids safe or pay the bills? It’s a futile activity.
But we must take some perverse pleasure in it, or else we wouldn’t do it. My own personal opinion is this: something happens that drives home to us how entirely dependent on God we are for our preservation, and the flesh panics and thinks something like, “You mean I’m not in charge? God is?” When the children are all safely tucked into their beds, we feel satisfied that we have everything under control. But when one of them is off on a skiing trip, or really sick, or driving in bad weather, we feel vulnerable. We can’t see them. We can’t protect them. These times are so very good for a mother’s soul. Realizing that our children and our grandchildren, the born and the unborn, are all completely, totally, absolutely, and perfectly in God’s hands should set us free from worry. If things really were in our hands and not in God’s hands, then we would have a reason to worry. But thanks be to God, that is not the case. We are all in His divine, omnipotent care. He has numbered our days. He orders our steps. The more we believe this with evangelical faith, the more we will be set free from worrying because we will see it for what it is — unbelief. God loves us and He loves our children more than we do. What a great relief and blessing the truth always is. Wisdom doesn’t worry.
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I’ll have to share this one with my mom. I’m nearly 40 and she still worries! A few years ago I drove the 425 miles to her house to pay her a surprise visit. She was Very Put Out that I had been on the road for 9 hours without her knowledge, and therefore without the opportunity to worry! I was so penitent that I turned around and did the same thing again a couple years later.
But she finally got the better of me: convinced me that it’s really much more sensible to take the train than to drive. 😉
(sigh) All my worrying and protective mothering didn’t keep my from losing my little Knox. I couldn’t live if I didn’t know God was watching him; yet worrying about my others seems an impossible task. Thanks for reminding me once again.
This is a little off topic, (Mothering, but not worrying) but… I think somewhere in the annals of Credenda Agenda, there is a little story you wrote about a conversation between a mother and her son who is not as fast or strong as his older brother, and she’s teaching him to rejoice in his brother’s strength and winnings while not giving up his efforts at winning….? I’ve been searching my old back issues and can’t find it–probably set it aside in a special place. 🙂 If you have it, or can tell me where to find it, I would love to read this to my kids. That is a struggle in our home right now, and I can’t say things nearly so well!! Thanks so much!!
How true. And how I needed to remember this today. Thank you, Mrs. Wilson.
Billie, I don’t know about the Credenda article, but how about this?
Valerie!! That’s IT!! I guess I confused my sources. 🙂 Our younger son is not at this place yet, but our eldest can’t beat Daddy in a race or a wrestling match (and Daddy doesn’t let him!) and it has been a source of anger for him. I’m hoping a story will help me to teach him to lose rightly. Thanks!!
You’re welcome. I had a feeling that’s what you were actually looking for, but I know what it’s like to be sure I’ve seen something somewhere only to have turn up someplace else! 😉
Gotta tell this story…my youngest son had just come downstairs after rest time while I was clicking over to the Femina site. As I finished up reading the comments under “Widsom Doesn’t Worry,” we began to discuss an earlier incident when he had thrown a fit after losing a board game to his older brother. I followed Valerie’s link to the Mablog story about the jealous younger son and told him, “Hey, here’s a story for you.” We read it together. “Sure–do your best to beat your brother at the game,” I said, “but if you don’t, then rejoice in his winning. And next time you play, try again to win.”
A timely link to stumble across at that moment–thanks, Valerie!
There’s providence for ya!
Thanks, Valerie, for sending Billie to Doug’s blog. We’re in Virginia, and this afternoon is the first moment I’ve had to check in. So, as I was scrolling down to tell Billie it was one of my husband’s calls to worship she was looking for, I saw you had already taken care of business for me! Would you house sit for us too?
Many Blessings,
Nancy
Sure…just send me a plane ticket. 😉
Have a safe trip and a fruitful conference!
My son sent me this piece…….I know why…….I come from a long line of worrying mothers and grandmothers and am trying (with God’s help) to end it with me.
Like I once heard, worry is just a form of atheism.