As I write this, I’m hoping that by July 1st my garden will be yielding bright and juicy tomatoes. I know the Farmers Markets will overflow with fresh produce. ‘Tis the bounty of the season.

Thoughts about gardening remind me of the parable in Luke about the sowing of the seed. Seed sown on fertile soil produced a good crop. The seed that fell among the thorns was choked out and didn’t mature. Jesus compares the good soil to the listeners who hear His word with an open heart. The seed among the thorns is compared to those who hear the word but then go their way, leaving the seed to be choked out by life’s worries.

Now I learned something today. The Old German root word for worry means “to strangle.” Ah, isn’t that what worries do to us? They strangle us, sap our strength, and keep us from breathing in the Spirit of God.

What to do? I know that worries will continue to crop up for me. Maybe you too. Could we take that worry and turn it into a prayer? Could we lift that worry up to God? If we do, those worries may just lose their stranglehold on us. We may find ourselves thanking God instead of worrying.

God’s bountiful love can lift our worry and give us peace. We can experience His unconditional love – love for me and love for you.

Judy

“Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.” Philippians 4:6