What if?

So we switched over our insurance companies a few months ago. We have five vehicles to insure, one being our camper and one being Gunner's truck that is still not yet registered. So I asked the agent what sort of insurance should we get, if any, on this truck seeing as though it is just sitting in our yard for now. I mean, it's a decent truck.....but I am pretty sure it is not on the top ten list for stolen vehicles right now. (the flat tire might divert most car thieves if they have a decent escape plan lined up too). She suggested this minimal coverage policy......you know, just in case it's stolen, vandalized or a tree happens to fall on it.

Who really worries about a tree falling on your car?

Uh......apparently we should.

This tree came crashing down about 2 feet from Gunner's truck this past Monday during a wicked rain/wind storm. Thankfully it missed it, but of course it couldn't fall on the big pile of crap we have on that side of the yard....it fell on a perfect brand new roll of fencing and crushed it like tin foil. neat.

To give you a little perspective (the photo doesn't show it too well).....but the part of the tree that is lying down is approximately 30 feet long.....it snapped about 15-20 feet up. So that was a whole lotta tree coming down. And it only about 10 feet from our driveway and about 20 feet from one of our barns.

Then I thought about it.....what if it fell a little more to the right and someone was walking/driving up the driveway? What if it landed on our barn and killed our whole herd? Or going in a financial direction, what if it was closer to our house (and smashed into the $7000 roof we just had done?)

Thankfully I am not much of a "what if" person anymore (and I have severe ADD) so those thoughts quickly passed.....but I used to be a worrywart.

I've babbled on about worry before here.......and then this morning I was reading Proverbs 27 and the first verse was, again, the reassurance that worry and anxiousness is useless.

Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth. ~Proverbs 27:1

I am not saying that we shouldn't be prepared and plan responsibly in life for our future.....but as I am getting older and digging deeper in my walk with Christ, I realize that nothing is certain or secure in life.

This is so obvious as we continue to witness the devastation of Haiti. We (collectively we) also realize this when a tragic accident happens or a silent disease creeps in and whisks away someone in weeks. Sometimes a spouse decides to check out of the marriage unexpectedly....or the company you work for is shutting it's doors and leaving you jobless in a week.

Just being a mom brings a truckload of "what ifs" into your life......usually from the moment you find out you have conceived. Worrying about the pregnancy.....your newborn.....childhood scares right up until the teenage years. And the concerns never end, they just change in dynamics. Trust me.....as of yesterday, I am now the mom of TWO drivers. EEK!

But God tells us to bring all our cares and worries to Him.....and place them at His feet. He will take all of our burdens.......we just need to trust Him with it all. And I know that it is easier said than done.

One of my favorite Scriptures about worry is found in the Book of Luke;

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? ~Luke 22-26

So I guess the point of this rambling today is that I am really thankful that I am getting to a place in my life (notice I have not gotten there yet) where I am not worrying/fretting as much as I used to. I think back and realized how much joy and peace had been robbed from me while I worried about things that we clearly out of my control. Did these concerns and issues come to pass? Yup. Some did. That check did bounce.....I did get called back for that follow up mammography appointment.....I did find out my baby did not have a heartbeat.

But I made it through.......

.......and I know that no matter what life brings, I can handle it with God by my side.

Giving your worries and concerns over to God doesn't mean that bad things will never happen in your life. It just is insurance that you will get through them all.

*not sure who needed to hear that.....but I know someone did*

Now excuse me......I need to make lemonade outta the lemons and get my kids chopping some much needed firewood.

Peace~
*~Michelle~*