SEEING PAST THE BIRD ON THE BRIDGE

I once heard a sermon -- one of those "I hope no one saw me wince" sermons -- that went on for 45 minutes before the preacher said, "And now I have 12 points to illustrate these observations..."

The glaze that crawled over my eyes apparently didn't ooze into my ears because somewhere along the line the Pastor said something which struck home. He said, "It's a sin to worry."

I was taken aback.

A sin? To worry?

I am a sinner, make no mistake, but I didn't count worry among my transgressions. At least not until then.

I worry a lot.

The Pastor's point was that we should rely on God. If you worry that means you aren't relying on God. So, worrying is a sin.

"Great" I thought, "Now I'm worrying that I am even a worse sinner because I'm worrying!" That, of course, only made me worry more and therefore I was sinning more.

This could get ugly.
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I remember driving along with my stepson, Joey, some years ago and he asked if we could rent a video game. I said, "We'll see."

Joey said, " 'We'll see' means, 'No'."

I went out of my way to prove him wrong. We stopped at the video store and rented the game.

I realized by saying, "We'll see" I was halting all speculation about what our future might hold.

At that moment, I felt guilty about it.
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My mother died when I was a teenager, and I don't remember enough about our relationship, but I do recall having those all too typical kid conversations involving, "What if ?" questions.

"What if this....or what if that?"

My mother had a stock response: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

I remember being disappointed with that answer much like Joey was with my "we'll see" response.
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Today, Amy and I have some pressing issues in our lives. Amy blogged about it today, and was far too flattering, but I've had her fooled for a long time.

It made me think of those other times, with Joey and with my Mom. Even that dull sermon.

Being in the car with Joey that day was more important than what either of us wanted at the time.
Remembering my Mom today is far more important than recalling my fears of yesterday.

I know that Amy and I will address these latest concerns. I'm truly not worried about them.

I also know there will be other things to fret about in the future.

But I know this too: Amy loves me. I love her.

God is in control.

So we'll cross those other bridges when we come to them...and we'll see.

Matthew 10:30-32

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.