“This world of ours… must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.”  Dwight D. Eisenhower

As we grow older the things we worried about when we were younger seem insignificant. We wonder why we put so much stock in the little things. When we’re in the autumn of our existence, we can see where God stepped in and made things right again. Throughout those long-ago years, we were able to make it through, but time is winding down now. Fear is debilitating and really serves no purpose other than getting our adrenaline going again.

When I was a young woman of 21, I was working as a cashier and assistant manager for a finance company. The world was crazy at that time – much like today.  There were riots in the streets, discontent, hatred and assassinations occurring almost weekly. The sixties were years of revolution, resistance, anger and rage.  Police were laying their lives on the line daily.  Drugs were infiltrating society at a much faster rate than ever before.  More and more women were entering the work force and demanding equal pay for equal jobs.  They had declared their own war for women’s rights.

During that time, I was preparing for my wedding.  In spite of all the turmoil going on around me, I wasn’t afraid, because I knew that my life was headed in the right direction.  Then one day, two men in ski masks entered the building.  They told me to open the cash drawers and everyone else to sit down on the floor and cover their heads.

My short 21 years flashed before me like a lightning bolt.  As I tried to open one of the cash drawers, the key jammed and it was impossible to do so.  I was told to hit the floor.  In that fraction of a second, I had no choice but to oblige the two thugs.  A lot of shuffling around and then silence as the thieves left the building.

I’m now an old woman in my 80s anticipating what lies ahead for me. I am confident that God is preparing a perfect place for me in heaven. My body is experiencing all the signs of aging, so I’m looking forward to a new one. I spent a lifetime with the love of my life. When he died, part of me died too. Now my fears include getting to the bathroom in time – falling down – forgetting stuff and becoming dependent on others for things I used to be able to do.

Why do we wait until fear sets in to fold our hands?  Why must we try so hard to figure out solutions to our situations, rather than ask the Creator of the universe for help?  We’re all faced with fears throughout our lives – some small and some not so much.  If we go to the Lord in prayer, He will give us comfort.  He has also promised to answer prayers in His own way and time, so we should put our complete trust in His words and promises.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!