Did you know that ostriches do not bury their head in the sand when they’re afraid? I discovered this fact while I was searching the inter-webs for this post. So if you also have believed the age-old lie that ostriches bury their heads in the sand, I’m sorry to say that you were wrong, and now you know better. And if you haven’t already had someone tell you “when you know better, you do better” then I must say congratulations!
I’ve seen someone type this phrase out online more times than I can count, and I have to say it rubs me the wrong way. First of all, it assumes that we all will have the same feelings or beliefs based on a set of information.
Secondly it assumes that the information presented is infallible. My friends, the only thing I’ve ever read that is 100% bulletproof, stands up against all opposition, and holds true in every scenario is the true word of God. But I digress. I didn’t sit down at my computer today to rant and rave about the catchphrase of the day. No, I sit here today to talk about one of my own shortcomings.
I (unlike an ostrich) find myself burying my head in the sand frequently these days. To say that I’ve become a proverbial basket case since I’ve had children would be a severe understatement. Our world today seems to be an ever-changing cocktail of worrisome information. We have access to more information than any generation before. It’s wonderful, right?! Uh, I beg to differ. Hopping on social media for a quick update on my friends and family unleashes Pandora’s box.
Oh, I’m not talking about the latest murder, carjacking, or robbery, although these things are certainly worrisome. No, I’m talking about things that burrow deep down into my heart and start my descent towards the sand. I may wake up with my head held high, but you can bet that by the end of the day my brain is buried away where it doesn’t have to contemplate the latest problems of my world.
Besides the endless mommy wars (which are a total drag–aren’t we past this?) I find myself facing a barrage of information or opinions which start me questioning my choices and the safety of my children. I mean, it seems like every day there’s a new car seat recommendation that I can’t keep up with. Then there’s the guilt over the fact that my grocery shopping is either done at a sprint or with four needy humans in tow that results in a lack of anything organic. Move on to the scare over vaccinations and I’m already starting to burrow. The other day a simple google search about the little cuties oranges turned up a blog discussion about fruit dyes. They’re dying our fruit?! I mean, can’t a momma catch a break???
Human trafficking.
Dirty politicians.
Police being murdered.
Late-term abortions.
ANY abortions!
I just can’t. I just can’t keep reading and thinking and worrying.
- What happens if a vaccine hurts my child?
- What happens if my children eat fruit that has been dyed?
- What happens if we don’t do extended rear-facing and we have an accident? Could I ever forgive myself? I mean, I had read the information right?
- I know better, so shouldn’t I do better?
STOP.
At this moment I have to call up from my soul the lyrics of one of my very favorite songs.
Ah, Jonny Diaz! Bless you for being the hands and feet of Christ to me in this situation.
How in the world do I find myself in this place over and over again? I mean, I’m pretty sure if you do a search of my blog posts on here you’ll find that I reach this place pretty frequently. How fortunate for me that we serve a God full of grace, mercy, and forgiveness! How foolish I must look to be sticking my head in the sand day in and day out. Has the Lord not made it clear to me who has control of my life?
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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothes you-you of little faith? So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:26-34
Do you ever get overwhelmed by the worries of this world?
What things make you want to bury your head in the sand?
- Introducing Quiet Time And Sticking To It! - June 1, 2018
- The Parable of the Persistent Widow - April 20, 2018
- Maintaining Friendships During Motherhood - March 22, 2018
I’m right there with you! Motherhood brought out a basket case level of worry for me too! Thank you for your gentle reminder from Matthew 6!
It can certainly be hard to maintain a hold on all of the worries we have for our children! It’s wonderful that we can all be in it together.