St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Note: this is an article in a continuing series in which I share my own stories inspired by The Upper Room’s daily suggested Bible verse and devotional story. I present this series in the tradition of United Methodist Church Founder John Wesley’s “methodical” study of The Bible, and I encourage other St. Luke’s members to become a formal contributor to this site in order to share their own testimony similarly.

No Worries
Inspired by The Upper Room’s suggested reading for January 22, 2012
Matthew 6: 25-34

Here’s just some of what I’ve worried about in the last few days:

I worried that the African Children’s Choir concert at our church would have only a dozen or so people in attendance. More than 250 people showed up, the largest event we’ve had at our church in years.

I worried that people would be angry that the United Methodist Men’s meeting I was leading had begun 15 minutes late. Several people said it was an inspiring meeting.

I worried that my indoor-only cat was a goner when he sneaked out the door this afternoon and scurried under the house, a notorious haven for all sorts of mean, scary creatures. He emerged, very calmly after only 10 minutes. He seemed to have enjoyed his adventure.

I worried that my friend would be mad at me for taking longer than I’d plan to finish some work he’d hired me to do. He said he loved my work and recommended me to another friend.

A great line attributed to motivational speaker Jean Barlow hung on my mother’s dresser for years: “90 percent of the things you worry about never happen.”

Here’s another great line that I’ve just discovered attributed to one of my favorites, Mark Twain: “I’m an old man and have known many great troubles, but most of them never happened.”

Were it not for the influence of a myriad of wise quotes and lessons such as those  — and including today’s reading in Matthew, of course — I’m sure my above list of worries would be much larger today.

Here’s just a smidgeon of all the stuff  I’m not worried about this evening:

Our church secretary will be out sick for a few more days, and her absence will, I’m sure, mean that a few more tasks than usual will find their way to me this week.

The air conditioner is broken in my car, and I’ve already spent nearly $700 repairing my other car in the last few weeks.

Just today my wife and I discovered a fairly significant leak under our house.

I am behind on several major projects that I need to complete in order to earn some money.

My yard is well over-due for a mowing, and the garden my wife and I started several weeks ago is now a sad, neglected rectangle of weeds.

I have overbooked myself for tomorrow’s appointments. What a way to start a week!

A mysterious colony of fleas cannot be ridden from my second bathroom and have rendered that area of my home useless.

I’ve still not taken down the Christmas lights on my house. I’m sure my neighbors are not one bit impressed.

And the list of my troubles could scroll on and on.

Fortunately, I gave up my habit of worrying long ago. I have confidence that God will give me the power to handle all of  these situation with grace, wisdom and even a little humor.

Afterall, “Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (verse 35)

Thanks be to God for “no worries.”