What now?

As a Christian, I firmly believe that God does, indeed, hold the future in His hands. While I tend to hear my nana's voice telling me what she always instilled in us growing up "don't mess with God's will," as well as "we are not supposed to understand why God allows things to happen," sometimes I find that there are moments when life is unfair.

Recently, a very kind man and dear friend of my parents passed away. He had a heart attack, but was scheduled for surgery. Sadly, he passed away from complications. While I am happy that now he is healed and whole with Jesus, I still am processing shock (wait, what?!), especially since he was not quite that old. Before we moved to another church when I was a little girl, I attended my parents' home church. This gentleman did, too. There was never a time when I don't remember not seeing him. He had a bright, beautiful smile that lit up a room, countenance showing out through his kindness and love. He was a friend to many.

This sweet man's death also made me think about something that I tend to struggle with. Because I have a strong, independent nature, I like to think that I am in control of my life. I know I'm not, and while I am grateful God is over the entire world, for some reason, I keep trying to steal His writing pen (writing humor- HA!).

If death has taught me anything, it's this hard, but beautiful truth:

"Live today, for tomorrow is not promised to anyone."

Scary thought, right? I know- I got goosebumps and a chill as a typed that last sentence. I also think that the truth in that last sentence. I don't want to miss out on anything! I've always been that way, but fear and trying to control God's plans (let's all laugh at that) makes me realize that worrying wastes the precious time and life given to us NOW!

Here's the deal, though. God is in control, and whether we like it or not, everything is in His hands. Here's the beautiful part, though, we don't have to be afraid. Why? Because God said He would never, EVER leave us! Even in the deepest, darkest moments, storms, and sad moments of our lives. The bible also teaches us that God did NOT give us a spirit of fear. Because of eternal life through Jesus, we can live without fear EVERY day. He wants us to enjoy His blessings, trusting that He is there every step of the way. So, why waste time with fear?

Enjoy today because you never know what tomorrow holds, but we can relax knowing that God's already there.

As a wise lady battling cancer once said, "Instead of the heavy anxiousness and scared feeling, He replaced all that with a sense of peace to just roll with it. Yes, I still have anxious and scared moments, but God helps me not to stay there, so I'm going to LIVE And LOVE as much as I can until He sends me to my Eternal Home!"

Love always (Ephesians 3:20),

Amy