Matters of the Mind.....in His Hands

My mind is racing this morning!

I had to wake up to the alarm at 6:30 a.m. to take my teen to her first SAT exam.  I am praying her scores are high enough to satisfy her that she won't want to take it again next month.  My mind is telling me how much more pressure our teens are under in this century, in this country, in our public schools, than when I was a teenager.

She is one smart, talented and labeled "Gifted" girl.  But still.....I tend to worry.....and I tend to cling to the old stand-by Scripture from Philippians 4: 6 &7 "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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

I like the words that come just before verse 6, though.  Here is how they appear in the Bible I use (New King James Version, Women of Faith Devotional Bible):  "The Lord is at hand."

God is near me.  He sees what is racing through my mind.

I sit here in my sun-soaked family room (only because the morning glare on my laptop while sitting on the deck is too much for my eyes...I can't see as I type!) eating a warm, fresh-baked scone and drinking an iced cold glass of pear juice and I allow my mind to wander.  To begin to fret.  

And this is not what God wants us to be doing with our mind!

We need to keep our minds stayed on HIM!  

To give Him our worries.

I sit here and gaze upon the bright, green grass that is growing so rapidly in my yard...(and I know how much lawn work I need to do today!) The dew is still on parts of my lawn where the sun hasn't reached yet.  It is bright and wet.  And it reminds me of how spring is such a time of renewal.

  I need to renew my mind.....

So.....this Saturday morning I give to Him my teenager.  I give Him the choices she must make regarding which colleges to apply to, and which courses to study next year....her last year of high school!

I give Him the lunch date I have made with a new friend.....she wants to talk about some personal stuff...will I have a listening ear for her?  Will I be able to help?  Will God give me the wisdom to know when to listen and when to offer advice or counsel?

I give him my youngest daughter:  her 3 projects that are all due within the next 2 weeks.  Her violin duet next Monday night at a special concert for the select orchestra & band students in the district; for her transition in another month from Sunday School to Youth Group; for her upcoming Dance Show that is the culmination of much study in ballet classes all during the school year; for her summer plans to take private ballet lessons; for her friendships that are blooming; for her spiritual development that shines so brightly as a Light among her peers.

I give Him my husband who is so tired from chaperoning an all-night youth group event yet knows he has much to do around the house and for his job and for his small group.

I give Him my mind.....to place these things in His Hand...that is so near to me.

How I praise Him!!!!