To Be Carefree

Even though the calendar says February...the weather seems to be confused. Where I live, the high today is 75 degrees (where the average for this time of year is in the low 50's). The flowers are already starting to bloom. As I'm sitting here typing, I have my door open and I can hear the birds chirping.  Abby (my 6 yr. old Lhasa Apso) is staring out the glass storm dorm at all the squirrels chasing one another, hoping to get out so she can chase them.

It's like Spring is in the air...only it's still winter. Tonight a cold front is moving through and they are predicting some severe weather. At this moment, you would never know that storms are headed this way. All of nature out my window is busy with activity and seems to be completely carefree.

Carefree would be a wonderful feeling. Is that even possible?  Surely with all the problems and  burdens of this life, it's unobtainable...or is it?

• Matthew 11:28-30 - "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

• Matthew 6:26  - "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" 

• 1 Peter 5:7 - "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 

• Psalm 55:22 - "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."

I'm reminded that my life is not my own - I am not responsible for it's outcome if I truly put my trust in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My only responsibility is to be obedient. I'm told not to worry or be anxious, especially concerning my "needs" (Phil. 4:6, Mt. 6:25, Luke 12:22).

So I take my que from nature, and I will place my trust in the one who created me to take care of everything I need. He is able to handle any storms that are headed our way.

I don't believe I'll be "carefree" in that I'll ever have an absence of trials...but I can be free from my cares as I learn to constantly hand them over to Jesus, in exchange for His peace.