I’m notorious for my worrying skills. Many of us worry about things that never happen, but my husband has gone so far as to tenderly point out my worrying over diseases that don’t even exist. My beloved Grandma Lizzie worried more than any adult I ever knew… until I became one.
During our adoption process, I perfected the art of worrying on all topics from the downright silly to the downright justified. What if the social worker looks in my aptly-named junk drawer? What if the notary’s license expires before our process is complete? What if our attorney is corrupt? What if the child we love never comes home to us?
Some of my what if’s came true, unfortunately. Most didn’t. Other crummy things happened that I’d never dreamed. But I’m blessed, because through His word, the Lord showed me His goodness and faithfulness with every single crazy worry that crossed my mind. He comforted me with passages like, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8) was something I read, I meditated on, I prayed out loud, I even sang! (Hmm… what if someone had heard me?!) J
The harsh reality is that the what if’s didn’t disappear upon my son’s homecoming. If anything, they intensified. What if he is still kicking me when he’s 15? What if he never acquires healthy eating habits? What if he never really loves me? What if he has an undetected disease? What if I don’t bond to him?
Here’s the good news: If what you and I imagine… if our worst fears are realized… our one certainty is that the Lord is with us. And if He is with us, who can be against us? What can happen in our lives that He cannot help us to withstand? “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)
What if’s come and what if’s go… but the Lord God is for always.
