Ash Wednesday

From God:

Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill my promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 6 guidelines

Quit Worrying: If life deals you a blow and all you do is sit and worry, what good is that? Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? I can't take them if you don't give them to me. Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way? I guess they do make for a good stories and you get lots of sympathy. But that doesn't help you in coping with the matter at hand. I can help. I'm here to help.

Put it on the List: If something needs to be done or to be taken care of, put it on the list. No, not YOUR list; put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to me. And although my to-do-list is long, I am after all...God. I can take care of anything you put into my hands. But you really have to put it in my hands, not just say you have, and really keep hanging on to it. If the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

Trust Me: Listen to me. Once you've given your burdens to me, quit trying to take them back! Trust in Me. You handle money every day that says "In God We Trust." Do you really mean that? Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. I'm not going to make them go away (most of them you create yourself anyway). But I'll give you guidance on how to handle them in the best way so you don't succumb to them. Problems with the kids? Put them on my list. Problem with finances? Put it on my list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For my sake, put it on my list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

Leave it Alone: Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if you take these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with me and forget about how to handle them. I'll let you know what your part is in resolving matters once you give these burdens to me. Just let me do MY part, MY job.

Talk to Me: I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to TALK to me - OFTEN! I love YOU! Oh, you say that you know I love you with your lips, but most of you don't really believe it. Especially you guys. It's hard for you to admit how much I love you. Talk to me. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is how you talk to me. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with me. I want to be your closest friend.

Have Faith: I see a lot of things from my vantage point that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in me that I know what I'm doing. Trust me. Again, don't just give those words, "Trust God" lip service. Trust me. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. Lots of times you don't think I meet your needs. But lots of things you think you 'need' you really don't. Many times you have your priorities mixed up. You only have to trust me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be? You make it hard when you don't follow the first five things I've listed. If you believe, you will see.

Amen, and so it is.