Letter #6: The Future

Dear Friend,

There were days where my darkest fears truly overtook me.  “How am I going to make it? Will I ever be myself again? How will this affect my kids? What kind of Mom can I be for them when I feel so empty? How will I make this all work financially? Will I ever be loved?”  

My wise friend listened to me wringing my hands and getting more worked up  by the minute…her advice,  “stay present  in today and don’t try to look ahead to manage your future. Instead, turn around, look behind you  and walk backwards into your future.”  

What? Walk backwards into my future?. 

Then she went on, “just turn around and look at your past. Remember. You will see all the hard times you thought you were not going to make it and remember the little and big ways God came through.  You will be tempted to worry about everything ahead. Keep your eyes facing backwards on Him! He has always been faithful. He has always been true. He has always loved and adored you. He has always tenderly pursued you.  He is always working on your behalf behind the scenes when you can’t see it. He’s got your back.” 

It’s not the story you had for your life, but I promise He can still write a good one. 

Take care friend.

“I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16a

“I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  Isaiah 46:4 NIVUK 

When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:18-19 NRSV