Don't Worry ~ Sing Carols !

There has been so much senseless evil and tragedy in the news. It is difficult not to become anxious and fearful. Yet here I am decorating my home and planning special meals and treats for those I love, because as Christians we celebrate the birth of Jesus this month, and I am forgetting He is the very reason I should not be fearful. When I feel the old familiar darkness of fear slithering into my thoughts and spewing the infection of anxiety throughout my being, I know the cure. " Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you." Psalm 55:22

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25

" Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." Corrie Ten Boom

"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles. " Charlie Chaplin

 

"Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged , it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained." Arthur Somers Roche

 

Time to put on the Christmas carols , bake my sugar cookies and sing loudly ( and off key ) JOY TO THE WORLD the Lord has come !

 

If you'd like a chance to win a pair of these Wee Little Sheep* simply leave a comment on my blog. Your name will be entered every time you leave a comment ( limited to one per day ).

 



The Dangers Of A Wandering Mind

 If I were new to blogging now , I might be inclined to name my blog Thoughts & Tales Of A Wandering Mind or some such title. My mind wanders even more when I am indoors crafting , cooking, cleaning. "Mind: noun~ a beautiful servant or a dangerous master." AU

Last week I began again my seasonal making of little flocks of sheep for nativity scenes. I have my piles of wool, containers of items to adorn the necks of the sheep, ( miniature leaves, bells, hearts, raffia ) paint , and my needle-felting tools.

 When I finally sit down to spend a few hours of crafting my mind says "ahhhhhh , now I can wander". As I am making the sheep my mind wanders over and around the many shades of black & gray wool I have and I think maybe my sheep should be spotted just like my real flock of sheep. So I make a few spotted sheep.

 But hey, my mind wanders over to the bright colors I love and there are lovely bags of turquoise wool I dyed last spring. Maybe I should make polka dotted sheep !

No... I'll make some black sheep, some gray sheep, some brown sheep. Should I make black, brown, and gray ears for those sheep ? I have so many bags of wool from sheep of all different shades. My mind's eye wanders over the little boxes of jewels and seasonal adornments I have for the necks of my sheep, but I also love the sheep unadorned. Should I simply forget the adornment?

Can you see how a simple little wool- crafting can become a real winding road for a wandering mind ? Maybe even lead her to a few dead-ends and detours. And then of course I have to spend time thinking about actually following up on some of the ideas my wandering mind gathered during her meanderings. (not all bad, this can be fun too !!! )

Mostly though, my wandering mind will flit, fly, and even settle on thoughts I have not brought under control. Fearful thoughts, worries, concerns. Often, because I am alone while crafting , there is no one to help me keep these thoughts in check,so I will turn on the t.v. for distraction and watch the news. Big mistake, the thoughts become more fearful , more worrisome, and then if I am not careful the darkness of depression begins creeping in like a low cold fog. "Fear is a slinking cat I find beneath the lilacs of my mind." Sophie Tunnell

I looked up a few quotes and Bible verses to write down and remember  because I know God , my God, does NOT cause fear and worry. He is the God who cares for me and should trials and tribulations be a big part of my life He gives me the ability to be happy and rejoice anyway. "Fear is faith that it won't work out." Sister Mary Tricky

~"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow ; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has troubles of its own." Matthew 6:34

~"Fear cannot take what you do not give it." Christopher Coan

~*"Put off timid , fearful, and troubled thinking. Put on love and sound judgment in the power of the Holy Spirit ( Based on II Timothy 17 , I John 4:18 )

~"There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them." Andre Gide

~" Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

Yes my wandering mind meanders here, there, and everywhere when I let fear take hold, and that happens as I sit crafting at my comfortable dining room table  in my home that has all the modern conveniences and plenty of food. My family thus far is safe and healthy, all truly gifts from God. Yet I know even if none of these things were the case...if we had no home, no food, or family members suffering tragedy, I would have no excuse for the fear and worry. And I am ashamed.

How did this post get from crafting little sheep to fear and worry ? How do I get from crafting to being overcome with fear and worry ? By letting my wandering and meandering mind travel and dwell on them. Scary and dangerous , the wandering mind. Time to re-train her and bring her back from her wayward travels. " We need to brace ourselves up and realize that we are responsible for out thoughts , attitudes, and actions." Pursuit of Holiness

* quoted from Biblical Counseling Foundation book on Self-Confrontation.

As A Hen Gathers Her Chicks....

~Lady's Mantle, Ajuga, and Sedums along side the entry walkway to our home.~

Every day now I hear news of friends and family who have lost their jobs, or are waiting to hear they are losing their jobs. The news is full of the bad times, bad economy, bad, bad news. It seems there is no end to it, doesn't it? Then, after a day of bad tidings it is so easy to become fearful and anxious. "....human life is characterized by two great fears that animals are protected from: the fear of life and the fear of death..." Ernest Becker

My little frizzle bantam hen protecting her eggs and chicks. She does not even weigh a pound but you're in for a ferocious battle if you try to lift her off her eggs and chicks, as I found out while trying to photograph them. "How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not have it." Luke 13:34 These tiny chicks are fast and their mama was too, as soon as I put them down to photograph , mama and chicks would rush together and the little ones would disappear under her. There are more eggs to hatch!

Isn't this chick cute? I wonder when the other eggs will hatch. "The hens they all cackle, the roosters all beg, But I will not hatch, I will not hatch. For I hear all the talk of pollution and war, As the people all shout and the airplanes roar, Si I'm staying in here where it's safe and it's warm, And I WILL NOT HATCH!" Shel Silverstein

~Our front porch garden. Ajuga , Bleeding Hearts, and Hostas.~

"Don't waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it." Ralph Waldo Emerson

~My kids will tell you I am often a worrier. I have noticed though , the things I have worried about the most either did not happen, or did not end up being the horrible tragedy I had envisioned. Now, things I never did imagine to worry about did happen..some very bad things took me by surprise even, and somehow....things have worked out. I believe God helped me persevere, gave me perspective, and He also encircled my husband and I with people who prayed for us, encouraged us, helped us. That is what we are supposed to do for and with each other. Isn't that wonderful? We can all do this! No matter what , anyone can be an encouragement! Anyone can pray! Anyone can find ways to help, and anyone can do these things without money, just the desire to do so, and the willingness to think beyond ourselves. "Expect the best, plan for the worst , and prepare to be surprised!: Denis Waitley "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope, In those days when you pray." Joshua 29:11

DUCK ! The Sky Is Falling !

~~~"DUCK !!!! The sky is falling, the sky is falling !" Oh dear, the ducks are ducking. What can the matter be ? Ducks...what is the matter ? "We heard a rumor, quack, quack ! Henny Penny said the economy has collapsed, there will be a global meltdown, crime is up...jobs are lost, the election spells disaster...war and rumors of war..QUACK ! And the sky is falling !" I guess I'd better check things out.~~~Hmmmm, well, there are some storm clouds looming on the horizon, but the sky seems to hanging in up there. " Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which will never happen." James Russell Lowell ~ I think I will see where this Henny Penny is and what is going on .~~~

~~~" Quack, quack. Thanks for taking care of us. Let us know when we have to duck....we'll be under the bird feeder cleaning up all the seed the birds drop."~ "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more worthy than they ?" Matthew 6:26 ~~~Annabelle, have you seen a Henny Penny around ? " Cluck,squawk ! You mean that feather flapping hen that runs around like a chicken with her head cut off ? The one screaming about the sky falling ? The one who yelled we would all be ruined and starving and homeless ?" Yes, I think that is the one. " I don't know where she is, and good riddance to her, causing all us hens so much stress we almost didn't lay our eggs today. We did enjoy our morning feed though, and after a nap we laid a few eggs for you." Oh, thanks...I guess I'll gather up the day's eggs. "~"For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat , or what you shall drink, " Matthew 6:25

~~~Wow, you all did a fine job of laying eggs today. Thank-you! " Do not be anxious then, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink ?'or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' Matthew 25:31

~~~Doves, have you seen a hen called Henny Penny around here ? " You mean that little biddy that shouted 'the sky is falling and your baby will starve, and the ..." , yeah, I mean that one ! "Yup, coo, coo....but we don't have time to talk, coo, coo...our baby is waiting for her meal...coo, coo.....thank-you for our daily seed. Cooo......."~ " Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow." Philip Guiloy ~~~Ahh, your little one is growing quickly. She is a pretty dove, and soon will be on her own !~ "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of it's joy." Leo Buscaglia ~~~Valkyrie, have you seen a frantic little hen called Henny Penny ? " You mean the one screaming the sky is falling and the world is coming to an end and it is all a big conspiracy and...?" Yes, that's the one. " She ran off toward the neighbors'....you know, the ones with the really big dogs....the dogs that ate our ducks a few years ago...and by the way, could you give me some more alfalfa ? I am feeling like a mid-afternoon snack, that alfalfa is really good. Baaaaa.." Oh dear. I think the little hen is in for a more immediate crisis. I can't be traipsing all over the place today, I have cooking and cleaning and spinning and laundry to do. The little clucker will have to fend for herself. ~~~Candy Cat ! Have you seen... " Meow. I saw the little Henny Penny. The dogs next door invited her over to their place to tell the world about impending doom. They said something about CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, sending their newsmen to interview her. She's clucking and squawking up a feather storm right now. I think...purrr........meow, I will have a cat nap. " Candy Cat , aren't you worried ? "Meow. I have cat food in my bowl, a warm place to nap, and YOU to take care of me. I am not going to worry today...purr..........." "For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the world." Author Unknown ~~~Well, the sky is in the heavens, I have paid the bills this month, I have food for awhile and a place to sleep....and all anyone really has is today. Thank-you God for Your many blessings.~~ "Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden." Corrie Ten Boom

~~~"And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?...Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6 34 ~~~ ~~~"Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway." Mary C. Crowley

Oh Me of Little Faith ( Spot of Doubt)

~~~~~Today some old acquaintances of mine paid a visit. They are not very nice, and usually bring bad things, but I keep letting them visit. I even offer them great chunks of my time, and let them alter my plans for the day. What is wrong with me ? Why do I let fear and worry in ? They do nothing but cause my stomach to churn, and they bring their friends , anxiety , doubt, depression~~~~~really though, how can you not be fearful and anxious in these times ? The news seems to be bad, food and gas prices are high, the housing market is just terrible and the war, and the personal worries about our loved ones~~I forgot. I forgot who I was, I am a daughter of the One who said " Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say ,rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. ( and here are the best words) Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

~~~~~This fear and anxiety are just another way of showing my lack of trust and faith in God. Then I went to the post office and received my 'Voice of the Martyrs' monthly magazine and I was ashamed. The many accounts of the people all over the world who are being persecuted and tortured terribly in this day and age simply for standing for Christ. That is all. I won't describe the atrocities being suffered, I would cry again, but these people count it joy to suffer for Jesus !~~~~~

~~~~~I will relay one little excerpt from a book written by Richard Wurmbrand, a Jewish Christian who suffered more than 14 years in a Romanian prison, being starved of food and human companionship, and tortured. Years after his release he and his wife founded the Voice of the Martyrs. He writes this " A Christian once asked an atheist, with whom he took a walk through the meadows, " Who made all these beautiful flowers ?" "Forget it!" was the answer."Do not come again with your stupid talk about God. The flowers only exist by themselves." The Christian did not persist. After a few days, he was visited by the same friend in his home. In his sitting room he had a beautiful picture representing the flowers. The atheist asked him,"Who painted this?" The Christian said,"Do not begin with this rubbish! Nobody painted these flowers. They came into the painting by themselves. Nature made the carved frame. Then by itself the picture jumped up on the wall, onto a nail which just happened to be there, driven by nobody. And that is all." The atheist took the joke badly. But then the Christian asked, " Is it logical to believe that these three flowers in the picture , which have no fragrance and no life, must have been created by somebody, while believing that the millions of living flowers with their heady perfume in the valleys and on the hills have no creator ?' ~~~~~

~~~~~"And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span? And why are you anxious about clothing ? Observe the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field , which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, Oh men of little faith?" Matthew 6; 27 - 30