Some Thoughts

We just returned from our mission trip to Chicago.  26 youth and 5 adults spent a week doing various service projects, learning about the city, having fun, and exploring our faith.  How to put a week of amazing, enriching, eye-opening experiences into words?  I don’t think you can, though I’m sure I will have many thoughts about our week in Chicago in the days and weeks to come.  For now, I just want to express my gratitude to all who participated on the trip.  Many people said I was crazy when I told them I was planning to spend a week in Chicago with a bunch of teenagers.  Perhaps I am crazy, but I am also extremely blessed.  How thankful I am to have all of you in my life.  I truly see the face of God in each of you.

“A friend loves at all times.”  Proverbs 17:17a

It seems like I have been worrying a lot lately.  Will all of the details for our summer mission trips fall into place?  How will my budget hold up with increased gas and food prices?  Will the paper I have to write be completed in time?  And on it goes.  I don’t usually think of myself as a worrier, but I have definitely turned into one lately.

But, when I stop to think things through, I realize that all of my worrying is really just wasted energy.  Worrying about something really won’t change anything.  Taking action, however, will.  Planning the details for the July mission trip now, instead of waiting until July.  Reducing my spending now, rather than waiting until money runs short.  Writing my paper today, instead of next week.  Yes, this is WAY easier said than done.  Yes, I am known to procrastinate.  But, it’s something I’m trying to work on.  Call it a summer resolution, of sorts!

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.”  Matthew 6:34