“Don’t worry ‘bout a thing 'cause every little thing is gonna be alright..” These are the words of Bob Marley in his “Three Little Birds” song and I believe there’s some truth to it and I’ll explain why…
“Wait…God, you want me to leave Colombia and live back in the states for 6 months before going on the WR?!
But God…I don’t want to!!!!!!! Because….
Number 1. No One plays soccer there!
Number 2. None of my friends live back home…
Number 3. I won't have anyone to play music with…
Number 4. I'm going to lose my Spanish because pretty much no one speaks Spanish in my town!!!!!!”
These were my worries I had while I was still in Colombia and making a decision whether I should go back to Colombia for the 6 months before the race OR stay at home, live with my parents, earn and save money, and get good quality family time in before embarking on this next journey for another year.
The following is what I have seen and has happened since being home:
1. Turns out there’s a soccer club where people play for 2 hours every Sunday and Wednesday in my small little town in Nebraska! (Including a Mexican & Guatemalan) What!?
2. Some of my best friends are going to have a baby and are back from Nepal the same 6 months that I’m here! What? Yessssssssssssssss!
3. A group of people get together and play music on some Fridays. Last Friday I played with people who play the cello, string bass, and guitar so I jammed with them while I was playing my mandolin. What?
Also, my friend Sarah and I are planning to do a 2 month music ministry tour where we’ll travel from Nebraska to Atlanta, Georgia stopping at churches, schools, youth groups, coffee shops, etc. along the way to lead others in worship and proclaim the Name of Christ. WHAT?!?!?!
4. There’s a Mexican restaurant in town owned by a couple from Mexico. Turns out they were hiring and needed waiters/waitresses. Now I’m a waitress for them every weekend. Earning money WHILE practicing my Spanish with them IN my small Nebraska town. WHAT?!?!
And now God’s smiling down questioning me, “..and why were you worrying about this again..?”
Man, I don’t deserve this. None of it. God didn’t have to answer all my worries. I gave Him my requests and He could’ve said “nah…you don’t need that in your life right now…” but He did! We worry all the time. Even after this I’ll probably still worry some more because that’s who we are…we’re humans and “worry-ers” when in reality we should be prayer “warriors” presenting our anxieties, doubts, and worries before God. The more I take giant steps of faith that may end up in things I don’t want, the more I see His providence and goodness…even if it’s sometimes not “exactly” what I was asking for. I’m not saying every time we present our requests before Him he’ll give it to us. That’s not how He works but no matter what He’s still good and always will be. God knows His children and He knows our likes and dislikes. He knows us more than we know ourselves and knows what’s best for us because HE created us. All glory, praise, and honor be to the Lord God Almighty!!
This is just a reminder to you and to myself for the next time we’re worrying or are anxious about something we should put our trust in God and not…(sing it with me) worry about a thing 'cause everything little thing is gonna be alright!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. “ Philippians 3:19
