For those of you who know me already…if I described myself as neurotic it probably wouldn’t surprise you. I am a worrier! I worry about anything and everything under the sun. If there’s a time where I have nothing to worry about (not often) then I worry about not being worried (no joke). It would seem that when things are moving along smoothly it must be the calm before the storm and it terrifies me to imagine what is waiting around the corner.
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
At this time I’m probably more worried than I have been in many years. Things are changing quickly and the kids are growing up fast (too fast). I was talking with my sister-in-law yesterday (she’s a teacher) and we were discussing how sad it is that kids aren’t really allowed to be kids any more. They are subjected to so much so young that they don’t get to enjoy the care-free youth that many of us had growing up.
I’ve heard it said many times that 13 is the new 16 and I don’t find comfort in those words…in fact they worry me!
My youngest is about to enter middle school where my oldest has been for two years already. He’s faced many ‘adult’ situations in those two years and had to make many choices that he shouldn’t have to face so soon. Drinking, drugs and sex are bigger than ever and remember I’m talking about 11-14 year old kids. I’m very proud of my children but there are no guarantees that they won’t be faced with something they won’t handle well. We all have made mistakes and peer pressure certainly has gotten any easier.
When my kids were young I was extremely protective. I’m sure I went too far at times (like most first time mommies) but I felt that it was my responsibility to take care of these blessings God had given to me. I have to say that even with my whacked out crazy rules and paranoia things still happen…no matter how desperately we try to protect our babies there is no way to ensure their safety 24/7…no matter how hard we try!
As I write this post we are 10,000 feet in the air and my kids are snuggled in on either side of me on the plane. 
They just announced we are going into a thunder storm and they expect it to get rocky…hmmm…like giving drugs to a junkie…thanks for feeding my neuroticism (lol). What I’ve discovered over the 41 years of worrying I’ve done…is that I’m not in control. I can worry myself into a tizzy and nothing will change. What I can do is pray and let God handle the rest. This applies to marriage, kids, paying bills (or not paying them), jobs, extended family…the list is endless. Now it’s time to enjoy a few days away…hopefully the plane doesn’t crash…the kids don’t drown…and by the way…so far so good…no thunder storm yet…
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Bridget, I can SO relate to this. I’m a champ at worrying. Try being an ER nurse and seeing all that can go wrong . . . and then resist rolling your children up in Bubble Wrap! Knowing that I can hand over the majority (not all . . . not yet, I’m trying) of my anxieties to God is a HUGE relief.
When I forget and my shoulders get sore from carrying too many burdens, I remind myself to “let God be God.” And re-read Phillipians 4:6. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Wishing you a peaceful flight . . . and heart, my friend!
That verse is a great one that I need to call to mind more often than I already do. Working in the ER probably would be the death of me…LOL Thanks for the wise and understanding comment
Isn’t worrying the number one pasttime of all parents? I have to wonder about the parents who don’t worry… But I’ve decided that once my daughter turns 11, she’ll never be allowed to leave my side and that I’ll be carrying around a baseball bat at all times. Seems perfectly reasonable to me.
This makes me smile…we are ready to lock up our daughter who is turning 12 next month until she turns 25 (or maybe 30) haha!
Wow…You and every other mom out there. I always feel worry when on a plane. I canceled a trip to Vegas once because I didn’t want to leave my babies at home. As I’ve gotten older, it is a bit easier but I always worry! You will be fine. I always pray before and after a flight.
Jo
We pray before take off each time as well…it is morbid but I do feel better when we are all together…one of those weird mom things that is purely selfish I know.
You worry when their little; you worry when they are grown. You worry when they have kids-then you worry about those kids too! It’s because God made us women and its the best part of the job!
xoxo
Mom