…Yesterday, returning home after a lovely few days in France, all went smoothly apart from one little problem: the machine that reads passport photographs would not recognise mine. Fortunately a kind Frenchman came and I was able to move through passport control…
…Sometimes I worry that I will be unrecognised, anonymous, unable to move forward…
…Previously we’ve brought home French wine or cheese. This time the only French souvenirs I brough home was a (presumably French) head-cold that I was generously given. I’m not ill – just a bit ‘under the weather’ – and probably even more grumpy than usual.
…Sometimes I’m anxious about our future health. Folks our age have cancer, heart problems, dementia…
…Arriving home in the late afternoon we went to ‘The Ship’ for our evening meal; we enjoy going there. The couple at the table next to us observed our meals as they were brought to our table. They’d never visited The Ship before and didn’t know what to choose…
…Sometimes I worry that I will make bad choices on important things in life…
…I had a weird dream last night. I was given a huge lump of concrete that I was required to break into small pieces and make something (I’m not sure what) with the resulting fragments. I had neither the tools, strength or expertise to do it…
…Sometimes I’m anxious about my lack of strength, wisdom or skill to do what’s required of me…
I looked in the garden. A blackbird’s splashing in our pond, blue-tits are on the bird-feeder, a squirrel’s chasing through the apple tree, the rhododendron’s in full bloom. I remember Jesus talking about his care for the birds and the flowers, and telling us not to worry.
I read my Bible. ‘I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song.’
My worries don’t disappear, but they’re put into perspective.
malcolmsmusings.org 
your comment on you weird dream, reminded me of an old song we used to sing, “last night I had the strangest dream I’d never dreamed before.”
Didn’t realise the words Malcolm and grumpy could be used in same sentence though.
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The ‘strangest dream’ in the song was a bit different to mine, David. And grumpy? Easily in the same sentence!
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I just learned I’ve got Crohn’s disease. God’s got this. #aginggratefully
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I’m sorry to hear this, Joy. I am praying for you!
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Thank you, David.
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That’s tough, Joy. For me, although my faith is deeper and stronger, my experience of life makes me aware of possible outcomes, and my worries are still there in the background.
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I’m basking in that amazing peace that passes understanding. But I haven’t started the meds yet, so don’t know what side effects I’ll have to deal with.
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Thank you for sharing that you’re vulnerable to the same doubts and fears that visit us all.
The concluding passage from Psalm 118 helps; I’ve felt “pushed back and about to fall” before. Frankly, it was yesterday.
I hope your cold clears soon, Malcolm. I appreciate your blog ministry. God Bless!
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It’s a good Psalm, David. It’s not one I’m familiar with, but it was good to read it this morning. And thanks for your concern regarding my health,
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Here’s to some rest and you feeling better soon!
–Scott
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Thanks for your good wishes, Scott.
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That Psalm and Matthew verse are such great comforts. You’re right – our worries don’t go away but can be soothed. Hope you are feeling better soon!
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Thanks, Wynne. Certainly for me the worries don’t go away, but they is a peace and a hope that strengthens me in the worries.
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Malcolm, hope you feel better soon. Framing our worries with God’s perspective—I love that!
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Perhaps, Dana, Its about looking at my worries through God’s glasses?
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And as to your dream, God will give you the tools you need to accomplish the task. I believe He is going to see to it that you have a 16 pound sledgehammer to break up that concrete!
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Haveing received the tools, perhaps then I shall receive the sgtrength and the cnecessary expertise….
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