Family Coming! Help, Lord!

“In his heart man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:9).

We have family coming for a visit, that we haven’t seen for two years. When I started writing this there were over six weeks to go. Now it’s down to less than three, and I’m a mess. (Well, okay, I feel like a mess.)

Gotta get things ready. But, with my attention deficit and obsessive-compulsive disorders, it takes two or three times longer to do specific jobs. Because my symptoms have increased in severity, along with complicating circumstances, little in the way of preparation has been done. The stress is getting to me. Time to refocus my spirit!

There’s one important thing God has been speaking to me about lately. I don’t have to take a lot of responsibility on myself to ensure that things go smoothly when the folks are here. Remember Martha, when the Lord Jesus came to visit? The Bible says she was distracted with all the preparations (Luke 10:40).

Literally, it means she was pulled away from enjoying fellowship with her guest.

I don’t want that to happen to me. The Lord wants me, instead, to cast my cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He can handle them perfectly. I can’t. As the verse from Proverbs says, God has the final say, and I’m praying for the serenity to accept the things I can’t change.

Today we have a severe thunderstorm warning. It’s scary. Just over a week ago, we had a terrible storm that did a lot of damage to our trees. But our caring heavenly Father did not allow any of it to harm the car, the house or us. This has helped me to see our situation from a more positive perspective. It will be so wonderful for us all to be together, safe and sound, in our home.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for our family, who want to be with us. Take my worries and bless this special occasion with Your loving presence. Amen.

About the Author:
Beth Cottrill lives in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, with her retired pastor/teacher husband, Bob, an avid football fan. She finds living with Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, osteo-arthritis and a stroke of several years ago a challenge, but also training for a ministry to others. She loves nature, animals, music, making cards and, last but not least, being a grandma.

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What has helped you when family members come for a visit? A practical tip or a helpful way of looking at the challenges would be acceptable. What, to you, is the best way to welcome them? With a clean, tidy house or with an open, loving heart?