For the second weekend in a row I find myself standing in the same spot watching the sun set over Weiss Lake near Cedar Bluff, Alabama.  This time I arrived about an hour before I took this photo and got to watch the sky transform from blue to red, then to black and every color in between; it was a wonderful evening.  As I walked around the edge of the water waiting for the sky to begin it glorious demonstration of strength and beauty, I found a small bird lying lifeless in the sand.

          I was reminded of another man who stood on the shores of a lake one day and told a story about sparrows.  He said that not one of these small birds ever falls to the ground without our Fathers knowledge and care.  Then the thought came to me, that if God attends the funeral of a sparrow, don’t you think He will take care of me?  We are important to the one who watches over the sparrows.  He cares about the things that trouble us.  He knows and understands our problems and has promised to never leave us, no matter what happens in life, He is always near.

          Then something began to happen in the skies above my head, it was as if these ordinary clouds were doused with some flammable liquid and set ablaze.  I stood and watched as the heavens were set on fire and reflected in the waters at my feet.  All I could do was stand there, amazed at such a glorious spectacle and say in my heart, why do I worry?  Why do I clog up today’s happiness with worry, destroying what is, with thoughts of what may be?  Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its strength.

          Worrying about something is useless and only hurts and hinders us.  So why do we continue to worry?  Are we afraid that our heavenly Father cannot meet our needs?  Do we think that anxiety and stress will help the situation?  We need to learn to do our best and then to leave the rest with the one who has promised to meet our needs and be with us in trouble.  We need not worry about what the future holds for us if we know who holds the future.  God will take care of what you go through; you take care of how you go through it.

Something to think about:

• Worry pulls tomorrow’s cloud over today’s sunshine.

• To worry about tomorrow is to be unhappy today.

• Your ship is equal to the load of today; but when you are carrying yesterday’s worry and tomorrow’s anxiety, lighten up or you will sink.

• He who governed the world before I was born shall take care of it likewise when I am dead.  My part is to improve the present moment.

• Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father; who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Your friend with his eyes on the skies
Rickey Moore