Today, Hurricane Irene continues her long, meandering march up the East coast.  While no longer a threat (aside from the insane surf and riptipes @ the beach), it IS a big threat to my mom and other family and friends up north.  So I have been glued to the weather via the TV, my phone, the internet watching, waiting, texting and holding my breath until she passes and/or runs out of steam.  Then the cleanup will begin.  Which is life.  Sometimes we are blessed with the knowlege the UGLY is coming and we have time to prepare and sometimes it hits out of the blue.  Either way, there is ALWAYS cleanup behind the squall lines.  

We all have our crosses to bear.  For some it may be hurricane damage and cleanup.  Tornadoes.  Poverty.  Homelessness.  Addiction.  Divorce.  Separation.  Abuse.  Our life on this earth offers us no promises of greatness or unending bliss.  It’s all one day at a time.  Putting one foot in front of the other.  Whether you look at the glass half-full or half-empty, (I’m a half-full kinda gal, myself) either view shapes your life.  For me, I have found that the Truth is:  I can’t go BACK.  I have no idea what lies ahead TOMORROW.  There is only today.  What I do today will directly impact tomorrow. Yet there is no room for worry. 

 Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This verse is in regular use in our home.  Last night, as my husband and I discussed his job prospects (or lack of), our focus to not be overwhelmed by bills and debt to be dug out of, and again this morning as I drove him to one of his jobs (until he finds THE JOB) and he works 7 days straight.  We are thankful.  We are grateful.  We lift our eyes up and Praise God for his daily provisions.  And we know, as long as our eyes and heart are focused on The One who loves the sparrow, He will guide our every step, our every decision and provide our every need.  

Matthew 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Whether your cross is large or small.  Cleaning up after a hurricane or checking in to rehab.  Praying fervently for your teen’s heart or starting over after divorce.  God has a plan for you.  For me.  It involves a lot of little building blocks.  Patience.  Stepping out in Faith.  Trust in Him.  Nothing in life is easy, but where there is hope, there is love and there is a future. 

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.