I confess I have always been irrepressibly curious about the future. What is going to happen? Where will I go? What will I do? How will I get there? Will people like me?
Truthfully, it has not been a particularly debilitating obsession, but I have a strong tendency, if I am not watchful, to be distracted by what might happen in the future, be it an hour away, or a week, or a month, or some undefined far-off years from now mystery.
Whatever ability I have in the flesh to control that propensity, I believe I can credit my dad with helping me moderate it to some degree. Furthermore, I am convinced that the Ruach ha’Kodesh was working through my dad.
My dad was generally a cheerful, thankful man. He went around the house humming, whistling, even straight-up singing songs. All day. Every day. Sometimes as I watched him, he would turn toward me and wiggle his nose at me.
One of the songs he hummed most (besides maybe Mairzy Doats and Three Little Fishes) was I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. I am pretty sure I heard my dad diddling that song around every day. I’m not kidding. Every. Day. So, that song became ingrained on my consciousness from an early age.
I am not always successful at holding back thoughts about what lies ahead, but when I catch myself beginning to stress about what is happening in my life and what might happen tomorrow or next week or next year… I hear my dad singing, “I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.”
Matthew 6:34 says, “…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Avinu Malcheinu (Our Father and Our King), I repent for trying to take the future into my own hands – as if I even could! Please forgive me for forgetting Your sovereignty and Your watchful care and provision. I love you, Abba. Thank You for your great compassion and lovingkindness.
Ed Boring
BYNA Elder
