The Lion and the Tablecloth

But the Lord said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things. Luke 10:41 (NAS)

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Many tasks awaited, needing to be accomplished sooner than later. There were the usual worries that accompany raising teenagers—some real and some imagined. Throw in a few health concerns, and my nurses brain went into overdrive. I felt like Chicken Little, waiting for the sky to fall. Anxiety began to build up, affecting my sleep. I prayed, but wasn’t relying completely on the Lord.

One night I had a vivid dream. My kitchen was packed with people waiting for dinner. But my tablecloth had crumbs scattered on it. Barely noticeable to everyone else—actually miniscule—to me they seemed huge. I had to get rid of them. Grabbing the cloth by all four corners, I ran across the yard, down a nearby riverbank to shake it. Turning back to the house I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was a huge lion crouched very close, ready to pounce on me. I ran as fast as I could, barely making it into the house. I awoke my heart pounding and 1 Peter 5:8 in my head, “The devil prowls around like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.”

I knew the Lord was telling me that fretting was distracting from Him and making me easy prey for the devil. Afterwards, every time anxiety crept in, I remembered the dream and leaned closer to the Lord.
Father, thank you for reminders that we are not meant to carry our burdens any further than your feet. Amen.

© 2012 Bonnie Mae Evans

Life is More than Food

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

It’s no secret that eating too much leads to obesity and related health problems. Sugar cravings can plague me until I succumb to temptation. At times, it’s like an addiction. I am consumed by it. I’ve read that an intense desire for carbohydrates may be a physical response to the need for serotonin, which helps the brain function effectively. It may also signal an unmet psychological need. When I gain weight, I beat myself up for failing to eat right, which seems only to make matters worse. It’s an ugly cycle. Jesus makes it clear that I should not worry but, instead seek the more important things in life.

The Apostle Paul said it this way: Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. When I am engaged in God’s purpose for my life, I am spiritually nourished and worldly cravings disappear. My hunger has not been for food, but for a deep involvement in the things of God. Breaking out of the pattern of self-centeredness to reach with love to others causes my worries to also diminish.

Heavenly Father, help me to remain focused on seeking my fill of You rather than seeking fulfillment in the things of this world. Instead of indulging myself with food, clothes or other things of the world, Lord, let me indulge in You. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

© 2010 Stephanie L. Snead