“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11 (NKJV)
By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad”
I overheard a story this week. A man was recounting the time when, as a small boy in the early 1950’s, he was forced to spend the Christmas holiday with his grandparents because his mother was scheduled for surgery. He said he worried and worried and couldn’t sleep because he couldn’t figure out how Santa Claus would know what he wanted for Christmas and how the jolly old elf would ever find him so far out in the country.
Imagine his surprise and relief on Christmas Day when he awoke at Grandma’s to find that, not only had St. Nick found him, but he’d also brought the gift he’d wanted. The man telling the story made a wry observation; there had really been no reason for him to worry at all because his father had taken care of the situation long in advance.
Well, we’re starting a brand new year. This new year is going to bring a lot of joy and blessings because the Lord blesses every year with good things. But, I feel sure that because we live in a fallen world, this new year is going to have its fair share of problems, trials, and difficulties, too. In spite of that, I’m optimistic this year. Just like the little boy in the story, I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s really no reason for us to worry. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us. Our Heavenly Father has taken care of our situation long in advance.
We sing a song here in the country church that says,
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear!
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.”
I’ve resolved in my heart to do some things differently in this new year, 2010. I intend to worry less and pray more. Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair. There’s a lot of agitation, but you don’t really go anywhere. But, prayer is another thing altogether. Prayer moves the hands of God. And He is the Maker of heaven and earth.
Dear mama, won’t you join me in making prayer a priority in 2010? I’m sure our lives and the lives of our little ones will bear the mark of God’s peace–as we entrust all our concerns into the care of our loving Father.
Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad” (Sing that to the title to the tune of “Secret Agent Man) He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and is beginning his 25th year of being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. He and his lovely wife, Susan, and his sons, Spencer (age 18) and Seth (age 15) live in the parsonage next door to the Antioch Christian Church (where Santa always finds his way to our house, even though there isn’t snow to travel by sleigh.) You can cheer him with a note at extramailbox@juno.com.
