Fear Not

Hello, everyone!

I hope all of you are staying safe and healthy these days, and perhaps even enjoying some extra time with family. :)

I am 36 weeks along now, and feeling very big and very pregnant and very ready for this little guy to make his appearance soon. ;) I'm at the point now where I don't have much energy or ability to get things done, (at least not quickly!), so the days are dragging a bit. I'm anticipating the "dragginess" getting much worse in the coming days as our area implements more restrictions/quarantines! Oh, well...this will be an interesting time to look back on, right? ;) 

The year my husband was born was one of the worst flood years Missouri has ever seen, so lots of people remember that in association with the time around when he was born. I suppose in ten years or so I'll be telling "E" (baby's full name is classified until he's born) about how "When mommy was pregnant with you, there was ALL this craziness...!!" Haha! 

In all seriousness, it is a sobering wake up call to realize how fragile our economic system really is, how foolishly unprepared our generation is for any kind of actual crisis, and to catch a glimpse of where we would certainly be without the merciful hand of God on our nation.

Over the last few months, long before any of this virus chaos started showing up, God has been having to teach me over and over about fear. So often I fail and allow fear to influence decisions...sometimes I'll even catch myself doing it unconsciously, which is sad, because that means I've allowed it to become habit in some ways. :( I have really been working on this area, and praying that my faith would be increased. I wanted to share this poem with you all, in hopes that it will be an encouragement to you. It's not perfectly written, but expresses some of the thoughts I've been dealing with throughout this pregnancy journey. I hope it is a blessing!

Fear Not

"Fear not," Jesus tells me, His voice strong and clear.

"But Lord, I'm so anxious, there's so much to fear! How can I fret not when my world falls apart?

How can I have joy and sweet peace in my heart?"

"Fear not," Jesus tells me, "Be careful for naught!

You are safe in my arms, for your soul I have bought.

All this worry is sinful, your faith is so weak--

Child, only in me is the rest that you seek."

My thoughts wage a battle, my heart squeezes tight.

Faith and fear soon collide in a desperate fight.

Many voices are clamoring,

Some good, and some not--

My soul becomes weary in this battle of thought.

In all of this chaos and worry and stress,

I hear a sweet voice calling "Come, and be blessed!"

"Fear not," Jesus whispers, "Cast your cares upon me!

From your dread and anxiety come and be free.

You cannot control all the trials of life,

But you CAN choose to trust me in storms and in strife."

So I turn to my Saviour and seek His sweet face,

Knowing even in hardship He promises grace.

And though I don't know what tomorrow may hold,

I can choose to fear not, knowing He's in control.

Mykaela