“Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future.” Fulton Oursler

According to this guy I have spent lots of time "crucifying" myself. I never thought of it that way, but it all begins to make sense as I ponder.

My sweet JD and I have been discussing what it means to live in the past, present, or future. See, the word "future" was in his verses to memorize this week:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

How I love this passage and the following verses, which we'll be memorizing next week! I love that my Father in heaven, my Daddy has plans for me. His plans are not to harm me. His plans give me hope. His plans give me a future, whether that is one day or a 100, or more than I can count! Yet, I love what begins to take shape in verse 12, if I call upon Him, come and pray to Him . . . He LISTENS to me. He doesn't just hear me. He doesn't just let my words echo on the line. He really listens to me.

I'm just beginning to realize what God has had for me this past month, but much of it is about listening, not just hearing. I hear my children all day, but how often do I take time to listen to the cries of their hearts.

Back to my chat with JD . . . I told him in the simplest of terms about the past, present, and future -- the past is yesterday (which Libbyline called "the day before this day" until she was almost 5), the present is today, and the future is tomorrow.

Ever since my biopsy in February, I have been projecting way too far out there in the future, worrying and fearing what I cannot possibly control. I have been silently suffering with the reality of my own mortality. I've awakened frightened. I have been stopped cold in my car with the panic of what comes after I no longer take breath from this earth.

It's no wonder our precious Father in Heaven wants us to come to Him as little children. The simplicity of childlike explanation is all we need. The past is yesterday. The present is today. The future is tomorrow -- nothing more, nothing less. God has it all in His hands.

So, in a very verbose fashion I am confirming what I know to be truth at the header of this blog site. I have no reason to fear, for He is with me . . . in every facet of my life.

I can honestly say today, after much prayer and soul-searching I am taking that next step "Without Fear." What a pleasure and what a burden lifted! May God release you to walk "without fear" today as well.

Labels: fearless friday