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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~*

26 comments:

Andrea said...

When I begin to worry or sigh about the "what ifs" Doug reminds me that most things people worry about never take place and he is correct. Unfortunately, he still has to remind me of wasting my time in this area.

Hugs,
andrea

Bill (cycleguy) said...

Good post Michelle. Your thoughts also reminded me of James 4:13-14 as well as the Scripture that says, "don't worry about tomorrow. Today has enough trouble of its own." The what ifs tend to be paralyzers and not motivators. Hope you got all your firewood cut. Hmmm that downed tree will make some good stuff.

anewcreation said...

That person that needed to hear this message was me. I am going to find out the results of the MRI scan in 3 hour's time and I have been worried and wondering "what if". This morning I read various psalms in the bible and they did remind me of the very thing points you raise in this post.

Thank you very much indeed.

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

I wish i could get to this point. Maybe I need to channel or email you...

Kathy C. said...

Wow, that's quite a hunk a wood! Your post was really good Michelle, thanks for sharing your thoughts and God's Word. It's so true that the older, er,uh, I mean wiser we get the more we see clearly that God is in control and our worry will change nothing. I'm glad that all your family and little furry family members are safe...sorry about the fencing!

Beth E. said...

I am guilty of dwelling on the 'what ifs' at times...fortunately, I don't do that as often. Perhaps to do maturity not only on a physical level, but a spiritual level as well!

I know one thing. I wouldn't get through the difficult times without my Heavenly Father!

Bina said...

From a fellow ADHD-er...great post! I often find, as I begin to worry, that I wind up in the most odd of places within my own mind...so then I have to wonder how in the world I got to thinking about THAT and I trace it backwards in my mind until I get back to the original thought that was no where NEAR where I ended up and then I thank God that I don't drive like I think and...

There. You see. ADHD at its finest.

:) Bina

~*Michelle*~ said...

to anewcreation

I tried to find your email to let you know that I will be praying/thinking of you today.....keep me posted!

Karen M. Peterson said...

I'm so glad everyone was okay and no one was in the way of that tree!

Those are some great observations. It's important to plan for the future, but it does no good to worry about it. Besides, too much worry can lead to anxiety which can lead to a heart attack which means the future never happens anyway. So what good is that?

christy rose said...

You can't get any better insurance than that! Or any better price! Free! :)

Mich said...

As "Queen" of worrying, I needed to hear this.

Two kids driving?!!! How do you survive it? My daughter is just talking about getting a permit next year and it already has me shaking...

Denise said...

Thanks for such a great post.

Joyce said...

Wow-so glad no one was hurt. Our neighbors had a tree fall and it crushed their car and demolished their front porch.

I struggled a lot with worry in my younger days. I like to say its genetic as my mom is the queen of the worriers. In recent years I have purposely memorized scripture relating to worry, fear and trust and it has helped me tremendously. I keep it at the top of my brain so to speak and I pull it out as I feel worry beginning to creep in.

This was a great post...I always leave here thinking.

Michelle DeRusha said...

Hello! It's nice to meet you, and thanks for your comment on my guest post at Katdish's blog today!

I am a big "what if?" girl by the way!

Anonymous said...

It is hard not to get sucked into 'what if' land. I used to live there a lot. Then I learned to let go and hand it over to God, and wow! How liberating! Live for today. The path that is meant to be will be.

RCUBEs said...

I'd be scared if the "what if's" are reversed. Say, "what if Jesus didn't die on the cross?" "What if God doesn't love us?"...etc...etc..

I'm so glad we have a God who didn't say "what if's" but said "I am..." He is able. Always.

I know that pic didn't do justice to the roar it must have produced as the limb came down powerfully. By God's grace, His protection is over you! Take care sister! Lemonades are sweeter when squeezed hard! :) God bless.

Andrea said...

The link for divinely designed was messed up on arise 2 write. The enemy has tried everything to keep this interview from being posted. Please go back to arise 2 write and access it. I am more determined than ever to try and help her get the word out. Her testimony is powerful. I know there are many who need it.
andrea

Tracy said...

Wow - such a big tree falling like that is rather wild.

That passage in Like is one of my favorites. I remind myself of that truth; sometimes I have to remind myself numerous times.

Deborah Ann said...

Wahhhhh....I don't know whether to laugh or cry! Things can always be worse, but knowing that doesn't necessarily take the sting out of the trials.

Do you have a fireplace? or a firepit outside? Just warm yourself thinking about all the heavenly aromas and fun family times you'll have around the fire. And you're all safe and warm, and God is hovering over you, pleased with your faithfulness and perseverance. You rock, Michelle!

~*Michelle*~ said...

Rosel (RCubes) SO TRUE!!! I never thought of it that way....wow!

Deb.....we are in construction zone (note my last post Elbow Grease) and we are putting in a woodstove/stone hearth so this wood will def. be for next year's heating adventure! We also have an outdoor fire pit that we hillbillies use all year round!

Janean said...

woweee....i'm the same way, "hey, how many people do we know who's had a tree....?" i love this Psalm. it's a good semi-control-freakishy person's Psalm. peace in return to you and your family.

More Than Words said...

I hear ya, Michelle. Nothing is guaranteed in this life. I realized that even more when two school friends died unexpectedly within a week of each other. Both had heart problems.

Anonymous said...

I actually know of a car that was squashed by a tree.

Your post is right on the mark. Peace in the midst of storm.

What if's just can be disturbing and are endless. It paralyzes.
It is not walking in faith. It is not living with what is before us each day.

John Cowart said...

Hi Michelle,

Just visiting via your comment on Bill Coffee's blog.

No trees fell in our yard this week, but I had to pick up four trash cans full of sticks and branches to keep them from nicking the mower blade.

amanda said...

what a great story. i've seen your trees...and most of CT's...they're ALL huge. how cool is god. and i often struggle with the what ifs. blech. thanks for sharing. :0)

wife.mom.nurse said...

i am so thankful that I have the Lord to put my cares and worries with. I just need to remember to do it more and more often.

We never do know what tomorrow will hold. If we thought too much about it and did not put our trust in the Lord we would go absolutely crazy!

 

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