Here, take my concerns. I don’t want them—

I haven’t seen a toddler yet that didn’t find it hard to share with others. I can remember telling my children to “play nice.” Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. In the cases it didn’t, intervention (fill in the blank) was necessary.

I often find it hard to share with Jesus. There are mornings I just can’t picture my bedhead sharing my concerns with anyone, let alone “bother” God with them. If I would let go and let God, I know I could relax in the day’s journey. Although prayer bursts come naturally during the day, I know I need to consistently start my day the same way I end it— with prayer, Somewhere in the small print of my heart I’d probably find a guarantee for fewer frown lines if I would begin and end my day in the same way.

As Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Even though I know this is a truth from God, I continue to hold tight to itty-bitty pieces of anxiety. Just this past week, a friend’s husband died, a family I know is recovering from Covid (as of this writing, one is still in the hospital), and a 12-year-old told me how difficult it is at school. Catching up is impossible and she is afraid of a do over school year....

There is a simple answer to life’s itty-bitty anxieties and for the overwhelming burdens that knock us on our tushes. Not only do we need to share our troubles with the Lord, but we need to hand them over to Him. He doesn’t want them gift-wrapped. Hand them to him through raw, plain, simple, heartfelt prayer. His throne is always open to us even if we come before him with bedhead hair.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”