A Goldilocks Life

Casting Our Cares

The Lord tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to give all our anxiety or cares to Him, but in daily practice, it isn’t easy. Before I pray about it, I’ve spent time fretting first. What was gained by stewing and imagining the multitude of ways things could go wrong?

Dr. Tony Evans said in a sermon that worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair and thinking you are going someplace. My heart’s desire is to seek God first before I allow worry to take over my whole being. It begins with intentionality. Perhaps if I put a reminder to pray first on my calendar once a week, I may keep on track.

Lord, help us not let our enemy lure us into worrying. Thank You that You invite us to share our concerns because You care for us. Thank You for always knowing what is best.

Joyous New Year!

We’ve been saying it and hearing it: “Happy New Year!” It’s what we do. My ministry colleague sent an email that challenged that sentiment. She wrote,

“May 2026 be far beyond a Happy New Year. May it be a year of joy as we serve Jesus. . .”

The difference between happiness and joy is that happiness depends on the circumstances in which we find ourselves. For the follower of Jesus, joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It is a gift that lives within us, a choice we yield to. God lets us tap into joy, along with the other fruit or virtues—love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, recorded in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23. Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit in us, not by that job promotion or friend’s compliment.

As I sped along the dark, wet road to my son, Ray’s so we could spend his Christmas gift cards, I planned to fill my tank (gas is cheaper where he lives) before I picked him up. My tight schedule included a grocery pick-up time expiring at 6 PM. Full tank – check. But he was delayed by fifteen minutes. I could’ve puffed in impatience, checking the dashboard clock constantly. Instead, God reminded me of the audio book chapter I wanted to replay in preparation for a writing project. That delay proved a joyful respite from worry by absorbing riveting writing.

My prayer for 2026 is that we will experience joy and satisfaction in fulfilling the plans God has for us by always listening to Him. This year let’s choose joy!

(Originally posted in 2022)

Call on His Name

Photo by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto on Pexels.com

It’s that time of year when lights are twinkling and calendars are filled with events. There’s a Christmas carol playing in your car, at the store, or in your head. You just can’t help singing along. Our Savior Jesus’ birthday is worth celebrating big-time.

Then there’s the stress of finishing up baking the cookies you promised to bring or last-minute gifts to find. Even more difficult are the blues that overtake you thinking of someone who won’t be at the family Christmas dinner, like our son, Ray, since he’s still in the hospital. Or the child you miss because they’ve lost touch. It hurts.

Whatever you’re feeling—joy, stress, or sadness, God cares and is with you. Just call on him in prayer. The Bible says that He is our ever-present help in trouble. Please take a few minutes to listen “Call on His Name,” a song I wrote with my friends Kathy Enix and Barry Gadd. May the Lord bless you this Christmas with a heart that is filled with comfort and joy.

Click below to listen to “Call on His Name.”