birds of the air. {a giveaway.}

Fly indeed. :) I struggle with where God will put us in 3 years -- and if that will be close to my parents or not. One day we might have kids, and I want them to know their grandparents. *lighbulb* How silly it is to worry about this! The Lord knows where we'll be - and the important part is to be used for His purposes, not my own selfish ones. My parents will come to visit us, wherever we live. Lord, please let me be a vessel.

i too simply love her pieces and her blog!
i struggle with patience! i worry about things i can't fix and want things better quickly. i have trouble w/ waiting for God's timing!

What a beautiful reminder, everyday!

I would agree with you... WORRY... I worry about our children, I worry about health, I worry about our finances, I worry about my hubbies happiness at work, and then if my mind isn't filled with those worries... I "worry" about what color I should paint a wall, I "worry" about how I should rearrange the house, I "worry" about where I should paint chalkboard paint... hahahaha and all this happens before I turn off the alarm clock...

My fav verse of all time. In my house we are always saying "better than a bird." Short cut for how much more the Lord cares for us. I still worry about each and everyone of us and each and everything. I may be "better than a bird", but I am also "anvil-girl" and need to be hit over the head a few times to get it. Thanks for the reminder-chrissi

Ugh worry and fear! This post touches me deeply...worry/fear is something God has really been working on in me over the last few years...deep, paralyzing all-consuming fear. He has brought me a long way, but as always, I'm a work in progress :) I recently completed Beth Moore's Esther study, and we had to do an exercise where we took our biggest fears, and had to put them into an if...then statement, and the "then" had to be God. As in "if something terrible happens to my little girl...then God will be with her and hold her." Or "if my husband loses his job...then God will provide for us." I had a LONG list lol. But it was SO good for me to face my fears in the mirror so to speak, with God being the reflection I saw. And my new "motto" is that fear is satan's favorite way to rob us of the joy we have in Christ. And I am claiming the joy that we are promised, and I REFUSE to let satan rob me of that joy anymore!!!
Thank you for such a beautifully honest post and I LOVE that verse for worries!

Would have to agree that worry is a big one in my heart and mind as well. But God is good and faithful ... always!

i struggle with self-doubt. I was diagnosed with ADD earlier this yr and while a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, self-doubt still hold me back. I doubt I'll have the focus and follow through to go back to school and finish. I doubt my ideas or work is good enough to open a business....etc...

Psalm 91:1

I love Lisa and also find her inspiring! I need to worry less, let go and let God. He always takes care of it all. :-)

I am so uptight about things sometimes. I wish I could just chill and not have this tightness in my shoulders that houses all my stress. Only God can take it all away, but I don't always give it to him.

i wake up at 3 or 4 and worry. worry. worry. worry. sometimes, i'm not even sure what i'm worrying about. but, i do have these striking moments of peace. just when the worry seems to be too much, it hits me. JC know what i need, when i need it. he's the MAN! btw, great giveaway! lisa is one of my personal heroes!

I love this Lisa Leonard necklace! I wish I were better at letting go of my worry and this necklace is such a great reminder that WE don't have to worry! We have an amazing Father who takes good care of us! Thank you!!

Ugh, I hate worrying! But I find myself doing it all the time. There's always something that worries me and I keep myself up at night over it. I wish I could be a more relaxed person and let things go...but I can't. I look forward to a day where there's not a worry in the world! :)

Beautiful necklace!

Beautiful necklace. Almost as beautiful as the peace God gives when we allow Him. :)

I think that the thing I struggle with most is worrying about what others think about my "mom skills". I have an 18 month old son that can be quite a handful sometimes...well most of the time, and I sometimes get so stressed out about what everyone else must think. I have to constantly remind myself that my son is one of Gods children and will take care of him---craziness and all. Sometimes babies are just big hams and rather then worrying about what others think I need to be thankful that he has that spunk :)

I had a miscarriage about 6 months ago.
An unexpected 4th child but I was overjoyed.
Just as my husband was coming to grips with having our 4th pregnancy in 5 years, I miscarried.
It ended with me in the hospital and both of us scared and sad.
Now I want another even though I am scared still.
He isn't ready to do it all again and doesn't know if he ever will be.
I didn't want to be "done" this way.
I am struggling with giving all of my worry about this to God and still mourning the loss of my baby.
Some days I succeed. Others I don't.
One thing I lean on is this:
"Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you."

Much love from,
Greta

I struggle everyday with the anxiety of letting go of MY plans for our life. I need to let go of where I think we SHOULD be living and when I SHOULD be pregnant, and just let God use us for his plans right now and right here. I worry over things that I have NO control over, and honestly should be happy to relenquish the control to a God who's always known how it will all turn out.

worry is always an issue, and I think the older my kids get the greater the worry about them.

When I was pregnant with my first son, I was told at 36 weeks that he had IUGR which is growth retardation and they would need to induce labor. A kind wonderful obgyn at another hospital told my doc to put me on bedrest. In 4 weeks. I delivered a happy. healthy (no IUGR) son.
For all the worry for those weeks, I kept this in my head
"Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair......
It gives you something to do,
but doesn't get you anywhere"

I went on to have 2 more sons and worry about them all every day, but a little less now.

BTW My first born is now 17 and 6"5" and 190 lbs..he is a beautiful boy and I love every inch of him. Best!!!!

I remind myself that God tells us to "be still, and know that He is God". (Psalm 46:10) Just stopping and concentrating on the fact that He is in ultimate control always give me peace.

I struggle with taking my kids into public places. I have 2 boys ages 5 and 6 1/2 and I constantly stress and worry about my boys behaving in public. I can deal with their behavior at home but in front of others they are awful (or at least I think they are). I used to look at other people in stores wit rowdy children and think that someday when I had kids, mine would never act like that. Guess what... THEY DO! And I turn into a crazy wild eyed mother who can't even think straight! What is that?

I struggle with my brother going down a path that isn't pleasing to God and not morally acceptable. What a beautiful reminder that all you have to do and can do is pray. If you worry Satan has you just where he wants you.

I worry about if I'll have to go back to work at the end of my mat-leave. I love being home with my girls, but then I don't know if we can afford to have me home. But maybe we can't afford to NOT have me home. I worry about disappointing someone; either my work or my family with whichever I choose.

I struggle with worry as well. I worry about things that seem inevitable. I worry about things that just *might* happen. I worry and worry and worry. And then I worry some more. I worry about my kids, our finances, my place in this world, and what my true purpose is. I worry that I'm not enough... or that maybe I'm too much. Worry. *sigh*

I'm not a worrier but my sister is. She has been struggling with irrational worry for years but it has recently been going to a whole new level. I would give this to her.

I love lisa's stuff! I worry about the future a little too much I think. Not the day to day stuff, but the big stuff.

Love Lisa, Love you, Love that necklace!

I need to let go of my desire to control everything and everyone around me. I always think that I know what is best and am more than happy to tell you what that is. Sometimes I am very right, but most people don't need my help... and I should let God control my life instead of me trying to do it for him...

Worry. Anxiety. - this... I struggle with greatly.

When I was 9 years old - I discovered this verse:
"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow - for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34.

- ever since, this has been my favorite verse. I have it on 3x5 cards in several places - in my purse, in the compartment in my car where I keep the garage door opener, taped to the inside of the pantry door...so helpful to keep myself reminded of God's comforting Words.

*
Whenever something unexpected or undesirable arises, my first, worldly impulse is to *worry.* Such a horrible feeling anxiety is -- such a burden...this is something I continue to work at. Being human. Being imperfect. It can be tiresome... but! I rejoice in the fact that I know the joy and reassurance that only He can give... and, for that I am thankful.

What - normal people don't worry that they've left the garage door open and drive back 2-3 times to make sure it's closed or that it didn't spontaneously pop back open as I turned the corner? I have irrational fears. They are so obnoxious. I need to let go of trying to do it all - there isn't enough time. And I need to let go of trying to make God's timetable match my mortal timetable. He's in charge and I need to allow him to guide me where I'm needed. The Sermon on the Mount rocks - thanks for the reminder. It made me think of this song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp89IUmlz9g

What a sweet reminder! This is exactly what I needed today-- a reminder that I can cast all my cares on the Lord! :)

Oh I love that necklace...but even more I love that verse! One of my faves! I have seen that in a little girl's birdie nursery before on vinyl letters on the wall...so cute!

So...I need to let go of trusting others to take care of Allikaye. Like her teachers and the babysitters. So mainly I working on trust!

I'm ashamed to admit it but I worry about coming across as "too strong" of a Christian. I became a Christian on my own when I was 21 and so it makes things uncomfortable sometimes w/ my own family.

Btw, thanks A LOT for the sweet & salty Bugles...they're hid on the top shelf of my pantry so that the kids don't see them & I would have to share! ;)

I need to let go my guilt about my Mother In Law. We never got along while she was alive. I was very rude to her and didn't let her see my kids enough. When she got ill and was put in the hospital I stayed with her the most for a 2 week time period. She was in and out of consciousness. I apologized to her during that time but, she couldn't respond to me. I hope she heard me. I don't know if she understood what I was saying. It's been two years and I'm still eaten up by it. I need to let go and let God. That's the thing that I tell my self over and over again.

kimprine1 @yahoo.com

Love Lisa's necklace & that verse. I'm not much of a worrier. I keep the stress inside. That's always been me so my body pays for it. I just think of where I want certain things to be in the next yr or two and hope I can achieve it. I just want my girls to be proud. =)

I struggle with worry too. It could be the children, grandchildren, spouse or parent. I so wish I did not have to feel like I need to control life and worry less about what might happen.

en..it's probably money for me >.< i don't enjoy my job but the pay is holding me down.
songyueyu at gmail

I l-o-v-e this suggestion: to really think about what is holding you back from being the best you truly can be. I think by just making people aware means that they can begin to think it through and embark on the journey through life with God at your side...

That would be a beautiful reminder to put my faith in God and stop worrying!!

I absolutely need to let go of my worry. It's my own fault because I'm such a horrible procrastinator. I put things off during the day and when I lay down to go to sleep at night, it's all I can think about. I love what one person said above me about worry being like a rocking chair. Thank you for that!

That's a beautiful necklace btw. :)

Julie, such a gorgeous verse to attach to that beautiful necklace. I can honestly say I have let go of a lot... guilt, fear, disappointment... and have come a long way. I'm sure I know someone who could use the encouragement of that necklace though! :)

I often worry about my kids--their future friends, what school my daughter should go to, etc. I try to reflect on God's faithfulness in the past--that bring comfort and a better perspective.

I dislike that my daughter is weaning because I'll miss that time together too much and it makes me the one she always goes to for comfort.

I need to let go of my self doubt. I am a fairly confident person but there are something I seriously doubt myself on. I am working on it though and have come a long way.

I need to stop trying to please everyone all the time! Seriously, I have the hardest time getting the word "No" to come out of my mouth!

i struggle with worrying if i'm doing what i should be doing - feel guilty for not working (stay at home now) because financially we need the extra income to make it but then i feel guilty if i do work because i'm missing my kids - i heard just this week that "WHAT IF' and IF ONLY" are the most detrimental diseases in a Christian's life... as they so often paralyze us from doing anything... FEAR has a stronghold on me.

I think one of my greatest worries {one of many!} is that someone I love will die. I try *not* to think about it, but I really need to let God handle life, mine and others.

The necklace is beautiful. It would be such a sweet reminder of God's peace.

What a great post, I really needed to see that verse today. I really struggle with the feeling that I ought to be some perfect housewife and mother all while running my own business. And then when I fall short, I just shut down and stop trying. I need to work on my priorities and realize it doesn't matter if my house is perfectly clean and decorated as long as my babies are happy. God will always provide for us for sure!

letting go of my family members. They have to be responsible for their own choices and I just can't help them sometimes.

I fear being a good teacher and doing "enough" to help them.Also being a good enough mother

I think my greatest struggle is with guilt. I constantly feel that I should be doing something==I should clean the bathrooms, I should do the laundry, I should work on that project, I should pack the kids' lunches, I should read with my boys more, I should, I should I should. And if for one moment I stop and do something I want to do I feel guilty for it. I don't know where this constant nagging voice in my head comes from. It gets in my way of enjoying my life and I work hard to just make it hush!

This is a great verse ...
One I often tell my six year old when he's worrying (but really I need the reminding). Worry and fear are not of God and He loves us so much more than we are capable of even understanding.

Happy Weekend Julie!

Thank you for this reminder! I struggle with trying to control every aspect of my life and then feel like a failure when I can't keep up. God is the one ultimately in control and I need to stop thinking I even have an ounce of control.

I over-think things...Which truly is worry. God has been giving me GREAT amounts of grace this year- and it has been a challenging year. But that would be my thing. Give my life over to The Lord's Will and let go of un-needed worry. PS...Just saw this on Kelle Hampton's Blog recently, and loved the necklace! :-)

I struggle with worry, too! It's no bueno. The necklace is beautiful and such a good reminder!

I struggle with wanting to do everything, do it well and have enough time. And yet, my prayer life always suffers first. Makes no sense.... So I struggle with just trusting and giving EVERYTHING to God! Thanks for the words and the BEAUTIFUL giveaway! Someone will be very lucky!!

I struggle with the worry of "how it'll all work out?" and letting god be in control and not me. sometimes it's so easy to try and manipulate god's will and plan for your life. or to just ignore it and do what you want to do.

Thank you! I needed this verse today (and yesterday, and the day before...). I appreciate the post and all of the comments. As with many of your other readers, I have been letting my worries get the best of me. What a wonderful reminder to 'let go and let God'. Thank you for sharing.

this is one of my favorite verses, too...

i used to worry about a gazillion things, but i don't anymore. i am pretty good at living in the moment these days. :-)

I need to let go of the past hurt(s) I have had from my husband's family.
God is so good and I am reminded of it daily.
This is one of my favorite verses!

I need to let go of self-pity relating to being a working mom and not financially being able to be a 1-income household at this time. I need to trust that God knows the desires of my heart and in due time, he will satisfy them.

If there were money to be made in worrying, I would be a wealthy woman. I worry about my girls. Will they be healthy and happy? Am I making mistakes with them that will damage their lives and their potential? I worry about everything else too.

I just booked flights for a work trip. I used to love flying. But I have let worry get so comfortable and expected in my life that I am actually afraid to fly now. It took a lot of convincing for me to go on this trip. And do you know where this fear-inducing flight will go? Disney World. For reals. My professional development conference is meeting at Disney World. I love Disney World. I teach a class on Disney every spring at my University. And it took actual work to convince me to go. All because of worry. (What if something happens to the plane? I have seriously pictured the flight crashing already.)

I can look at this and see just how ridiculous it all is, but the fear and worry still tug my sleeve.

i need to let go of comparisons! it isn't a godly habit to always measure myself against other ladies.

Wow how this post came at the perfect time in my life! We are having serious financial difficulties at this time and I struggle with worrying about it instead of praying about it and truly turning it over to God.

I struggle with chronic pain and i think it holds me back from living life and it gets frustrating.

Control.

I need to let HIM have the control. When I think I'm not in control I worry but I'm really never in control so I'm always worried. It's a cycle that the evil one loves that I can get stuck in.

Love that verse too.

What I need to let go of:

Fear of being a bad mom.

I am a worrier too. I didn't used to be, but since getting married and having kids, I care about them so much that I find it hard not to worry.

I struggle with making sure I am taken care of. I always make sure everyone else has what they need, and that usually comes at the price of something I need.

i worry my marriage is going to fall apart. i worry i am not strong enough to trust God. I worry that my two sweet baby girls will not see a Godly example of what a marriage is suppose to be. i worry that my God, who i love, does not hear me when i cry out and mostly i worry that my heart is not going to heal.

What a great reminder! :)

omg, i absolutely love your blog!!! I need to learn to let go of my fears about the future and embrace every day with open arms!

I struggle with infertility and finding the patience to endure the wait. It's so hard to "let go and let God."

I need to let go of my plan for my life and surrender to his plan for my life. I am control freak and since I can't see his plan unfolding right now it makes me a wee bit anxious. :)

I have to remind myself more than once each day that to worry is to sin. I pray for faith in everything. I want to trust in God for EVERYTHING. The great deceiver would like to have it otherwise. What a beautiful symbol of God's promises.

I hold on to worry too. My son and oldest child was born with Down Syndrome and I worry about his future a lot. Will we/are we doing enough for him? Are we doing the right things? Will he be happy? Will his life be filled with kind people? How much negativity will he face? I also worry how this will effect his younger sister. I know I need to turn it over to God but it's very hard.

I need to give up struggling daily with security. My husband has been out of work over 2 years and his 401k is shrinking and my job is $300 a month less than our bills are. I have that same verse I go to some days too. Good choice. Thanks for the chance.

I worry about perfection. I know this is stupid since there was only one perfect man EVER and I/we will never be perfect. But for some reason I worry about having everything just right. Right down to silly details an things that even I know in my heart don't matter. Duh, why waste time worrying about this!? But I do. I need a reminder to only focus on what truly matters.

I need to let go of many things this season in life....having to die to the things I wanted for my children. We're leaving the beautiful country life moving 2000 miles away. I know Gods hand is in it, but oh how the enemy has distracted me w/ all the negatives, but in reality there is so much to be thankful for. Thanks for this post(giveaway) writing this down has made me evaluate my bitter attitude. I need to hop in the prayer closet. (: thanks again!

I need to let go of my need to please people all the time, even to my own detriment.

I worry about being a perfect mom. Super mom. Instead, I try and ask myself- are my kids happy and healthy? If they are, I can relax.

Wow, that is a beautiful verse and gorgeous necklace! Where do I start struggle..that seems like a everyday thing with me sometimes. With the lack of a mother in my life and raising two girls. Man, hits me hard and then I struggle with being jealous/envious of others that have a mother in their lives. Patience thats another one, some days are better then others (I have to have more control and go to bed at better hours =/) then worry and fear are up there too. Being home alone a lot with 2 young girls it gets lonely and when stupid shows come on my fears play tricks on me and then its no good. I struggle with wanting to be close to god and have a relationship but trust is another struggle of mines..but I am grateful for going through it because I wouldnt be where I am today. I wouldnt have meet my husband and my girls wouldnt be here either..so my stuggle happend for a reason and I'm grateful. I just have to not give up like I do and fly. thanks for this post I really needed it.

Karin Marie :)

This post spoke to me more than any I have read. I am struggling at this time with that exact problem. I fear that worry is taking so much away from my life. But how do I stop? It is easy to say stop but it is a constant battle that will be difficult to win. I saw this a few years ago on a Mary Engelbreit calendar and boy oh boy is it true: Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.

WORRY all-the-way! I worry about the little and big stuff.
What a great giveaway.

sarah
srockney@hotmail.com

Anxiety over choices one of my children is making and how to walk the balance between speaking my mind and loving from the heart while she learns the hard lessons.

I need to let go of my grown daughter and let her heal. She is a single mother of 2. Her divorce has consumed me it trying to help her feel better and find her smile again. She tries to look ahead but I know she's still so lost. I wish I was able to wipe away her pain, but I can't. When your child hurts you hurt, no matter how old they are.
She needs to fly once again.

I worry about the health of my family -- husband, parents, children, grandchildren. Not only their physical health, but their moral, spiritual, etc. health. So far, so good! But the things one thinks of in the middle of the night!

Wow. What a great thing to think about. I need to let go of my controlling ways. I am so afraid to just let God lead me. I'm always recommending myself to him, and trying to tell him what to do. Of course he knows better. I'm so scared of where he might lead me, but I also know that it will be better than anything I could imagine. Thanks for forcing me to think about this!

I struggle with trying to control my surroundings at all times. I need to let go and let God... Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

A wise friend told me that the enemy desires to get us living in the past or worrying about the future. If he can get us in either of those places, he has us. My hope and comfort is resting in the goodness and sovereignty of God TODAY. (theatkinsonclan at earthlink dot net)

Fear...I know I shouldn't be fearful or anxious...but all too often I feel it creeping in. Fear of the future, fear of not getting pregnant again, fear, fear, fear...ugg...I just need to give it to God. The sad thing is I do, only to pick it up again.

I really needed to read this today. I worry a lot about my health and my family's health. I need to know that I can only control certain things and have faith in the other areas. Thank you for this post!

I just burst into tears reading this. It's been an exhausting week. I know this verse so well, yet it's amazing how worry and fear can grip me so.

Me fear right now...my worry? Losing my daughter in Russia with all the adoption hurdles that keep coming our way...it feels never ending. It feels as if we will never get back there...yet, I know He has it all under control. I just need to release it back to Him, no matter what may come. Right now I am struggling to do that.

Sometimes it's so much easier to say than to actually do. :)

I struggle with letting God be in charge. I have so many things I stress about and want and fear and I forget that I'm going through these things so that I can grow; these things are happening/not happening for a reason! Things like wanting another baby, wanting the infertility treatments to end, wanting to not be sick from all the medications, wanting my husband to get the job that he so deserves, wanting my niece to be healthy,... The list could go on and on. I just need to let it all go and give my worries and stresses and heartache to God and he will help me through these trials he has given me.

I love this necklace because it reminds me that those little birdies never worry about anything...their Heavenly Father provides for all their needs, and He will provide for mine too. As my chickadees have left the nest, and had babies of their own, the temptation to worry about all of them is ever present. I want to learn to be still in all situations so that I will know He is God!

I have been struggling lately with quitting my very well paying job, quitting grad school, and staying home with my son. He is 8 months old and TRULY the joy of my life. I know we could technically survive on my husband's income but giving up our standard of living is SO hard! I'm trying so, so hard to just let go and let God catch us.

I LOVE Lisa's creations and her blog! She is such an amazing woman.

Anxiety holds me back. Actually, it has ropes tied around my arms and legs and it's completely restraining me. I'm working on it, but it's definitely difficult.

I also love this verse so much! I join you in being a worrier. I over think and worry. Need to let that go! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway... beautiful necklace! :)

We've been waiting over a year to bring our two boys home from Ethiopia. It's been a CHALLENGE not to be in control, but I've learned a great deal in the process. We excited to see how God has been working!

Anxiety... I struggle with worry.

as a mom of four, including a two week old, i struggle with feelings of guilt and self-doubt. am i doing enough, teaching enough, showing them how to live a happy life? what is truly important? luckily, i'm so busy i don't get a lot of time to dwell on it! :) gorgeous post and pendant. thanks for sharing!

Worry is my biggest struggle. My husband and I have been living through a failed adoption from foster care and all I do is worry and I have to remind myself to give it to God and not to worry!

Thank you so much for this reminder, that God has everything under control. My mind can go in so many directions when I'm facing a difficult situation. Recently I've been able to find peace when reading God's Word. I do "worry" about my son... and I'm already praying that the Lord would prepare his heart to receive Him as his Lord and Savior. Thanks again for the reminder!

Oh my...this would be so perfect for one of our girls...she loves birds and that verse you shared. I pray that God reveals Himself to you in a new way...that you can rest more in your trust of Him.

oh wow, how appropriate.
me too. worry and anxiety.
i absolutely love lisa's blog, her attitude and ability to the find the good and beauty in everything...she truly is so inspiring!

What a wonderful reminder today! God has been working on me to learn that I need to 'let go' and 'trust' in Him! I cannot control everything and don't need to, I need to leave it up to him!!! Thanks for the giveaway, great way to share His word with others!

contentment...with myself

love the book "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow

as i get older, i am struggling more and more with fear too...

I am realizing more and more that I need to let go of the fear of not deserving a family. Of doing something wrong. I grew up without family, have been blessed witha great husband and 5 children. My inlaws are too busy to see us. to know their grandchildren or to spend time with us. I spend so much time going over and over everythigna nd tryign to figure out what i did wrong and being offended. time to let it go. dont try to figure it out. (its been 15 years and probably my husband's whole life) just let it go and trust God to bring people into our lives:)

i need to let go of my timetable for having kids...*sigh*...i've been working on it, but it's something i tend to "drop at the cross" and then just "pick back up again".

That is a beautiful verse. The necklace will be a wonderful daily reminder to someone... :)

Honestly? My husband and I are struggling with how to handle religion with our children. I know you and most of your readers have this figured out, but we don't. I've been told to look for a sign, to look within, to ask questions. It's all very hard for me. Wow, I can't believe I just shared that. :)

what's holding me back from abundance? my sensitivity! i am so sensitive and take everything personally... it easily leads to bitterness and creates a huge wall around me. ...so dumb, right?

I worry about just making it most days. As a 22 year old single Mother of a four year old girl, working full time and going to school part time and barely having the money or energy to make it through to the next week. I just worry about what to do next. I may sound like a baby and complaining but sometimes I just feel that my plate is a little to full for me to handle. Although, I know in my heart that the Lord will never give me more than I can take on!

recently struggled with 'letting go'... took conscious effort, and exploring internally. truly. then, a breath, and a prayer, and poof... :)

When I started reading your post that started "I am not a pot stirrer. I run from conflict and controversy. I'd never thought of it as "approval addiction" but taht is definitely me. I try each day to be truer to myself and try to please others less - but to be honest its still really hard. Thanks for the inspiring post - Fly - sounds like a good motto for this holiday weekend :)

What a great reminder.....plus I would love to win!!!

Depression.
it haunts me every day.
i am medicated for it but it sits there........all the time.just lurking.....

You mean just today? There is so much I struggle with I dont even know where to start. My mother-in-laws words that can hurt so much, I wish I was a better mother, I wish I was put together more, just keeping life balanced.
How much space do I have?

I worry every day about my kids. Are they safe? Safe from the world...physically...spiritually? Are they making right choices when they're with their friends? Will they make good choices that will allow them to be independent & happy? Am I parenting the right way? and on, and on, and on.

Thanks for the verse. It is a great one.

i struggle with worry too... about my health or weight or my family (usually unnecessary, i might ad!), money & bills. i hate how the enemy tries to grip us with something that God has already given us promises about!

thinking that if I follow all the rules that I will manipulate the outcomes in my life to what I desire them to be. It just doesn't work that way, and I don't have as much control as I seem to think I have! Imagine that!

I need to let go of the worry and anger. I get so worked up over the stupidest things and usually everything works out in the end but I stress and worry over it constantly. I don't love where and how my life has gone over the last few years but I struggle with leaving it all in Jesus' hands.

That necklace is beautiful btw!

Imagine attending the same church as Jeannett, Lisa, and Miss Pleated Poppy herself. I am that lucky to call these women friends. Shouldn't that make my life easier then? My peers pretty much rock, therefore, my life should rock, too, by living in proximity. But alas, I am human. "But dust"... or "butt dust" as my son likes to say. We all are. Thank God He loves us anyway.

I worry for my mom who is going through a diagnoses of probable breast cancer, when she is already struggling so emotionally re: 2 uncles who don't have long to live. I worry about financial things, I worry about how the world will be when my children are grown, and I wont be able to protect them from everything. What a BEAUTIFUL text, and one of my fave's. :D I try not to worry but be thankful in anything and everything!
terp_94@hotmail.com

I love birds and I love bird cages. It's true sometimes we need to let our birds (worries/problems) fly. I need to let my mom go who I lost 2 years ago and be the best mom I can be to my five blessings, I worry that I will never be the mom she was to me, what seemed perfect- but what is perfect. Thank-you for your randomness and making us each smile each time we log into your blog.

We have had a very worrying day in the aftermath of the Christchurch (NZ) earthquake. No power, no sewerage no landlines and wondering about how our friends are all getting on. I am 26 weeks pregnant, so hoping and praying that all continues to go well with my baby and that I don't need to rush into hospital in the next few days. Thank god for our little girl who at age 22 months is too young to understand what is going on. While we were cowering in the doorpost in the middle of the night, she sat there smiling, saying bang and rocking back and forth Our biggest efforts are going into ensuring that she does not pick up on our worry. Why burden a child with adult worries?

Thank you for your post. I think the necklace is beautiful. I think the verse is beautiful! :D

I think I needed to read that today. thanks for reminding us abuot that lovely verse.

I need to let go of my desires for my youngest daughter and allow God to use her according to his plan!

I am held back by worrying what people think of me - of my choices, my actions, my parenting, my clothing, my house... I need to let go and trust that it's God's approval I need, not the approval of other people. So much easier said than done!

i am the 130th comment and my answer is worry. i briefly skimmed the 129 ahead of me and think it's so sad how hung up we all are. we're all great women (sorry if there's a man on here i missed) who read a great blog and we all are suffering. and when you read a stranger's comments, you want to just hug them and say, yeah, don't worry, it's going to be okay. but why is it so hard to do for ourselves? i have been getting better but i say that on a day where i've been up since 4am b/c i can't sleep... i love the giveaway - too bad it can't take all our issues away :)

unbelief.... i've always been best friends with him. we go way back.

unbelief even brought some of his closest friends with him: fear, doubt, worry and anxiousness, INSECURITY...the list goes on. he's pretty popular.
however, unbelief and i recently had a DTR and i let him know that we could no longer be in this relationship.

basically, i have lived a life that never really believed that God would follow through with His word to never leave me. at the end of the day i always asked "God, are you sure you can pull this off?" constantly i made life all about me. i finally realized that i was doubting God. the One who made EVERYTHING. i didn't think he could do anything, basically. so i lived in complacency, in fear of what seemed impossible to me. i'm barely about to graduate college in dec. and have no idea what is next. and i've always been so afraid to step out and DO something because of my stupid boyfriend, unbelief.

but now, it's SO GOOD to be free as a bird from him. he and i have our moments when we act like we are in a relationship again, but i'm thankful for God's repeated & unfailing grace and forgiveness in my doubt.

i'm free to trust. free to believe. free to be me, finally.

p.s.- i love your blog. it's encouraging & so very much inspiring. seriously. i'm an addict.

I struggle with worry...I struggle with trusting the Lord as I know I should and handing it all over to Him.I struggle with worrying about my special needs son and his future should something happen to me.BUT...then I realize that HE has a plan for us all...HE loves us...and all will be okay. ♥

I'll be honest and say that when I went to your page, and read this post, I was a gigantic ball of worry. I need to let go of a lot of things. I need to remember that I'm not in control over EVERYTHING, and I need to be more at peace with myself. This reminder really helped. And the necklace is adorable, too!

I love her creativity.

I struggle with control. Need to let go, let God. Need to remember that all day long.

Lisa is amazing and you are too! My issue was perfectly put into words by you- it is the same. How I pray for help each day :)

candy at afconnect dot com

I worry too much that it gives me headaches. Mostly about money in this economy. I pray that God will help me through this tough time.

I so love your blog. I has been a source of JOY to me!

I too worry, worry, fear, worry, worry. That verse is honey to my soul! XOXO

insecurity....because i am secure in HIM!

joy! you wont believe this but i was just listening to a sermon on this verse....
http://graceandpeacefellowship.org/services/sundaymorning/sermons/2040-matt-6-24-33-do-not-worry

and then came to your site. i struggle with anxiety (go read my latest blog posts) and even more so when matt is gone. so today i am a wreck.
love you and praying for you today as jason is gone.

Thank you for that scripture, kind of an answer to my prayers. I struggles with insicurity, am I a good enough mom, wife, friend, daughter, is my house clean enough ect. Fear is real but the joy of that release is peace, I pray we all find the courage to accept The Fathers will and let it all go so he can work miracles in our lives.

what a gorgeous post first of all!

i love the saying "just let go" and I try to let go of things i cannot control and have faith in the Lord.

I need to spend more time with God too.
:)gina

i constantly wait for the "other shoe to drop." we are so blessed. i fear that it can not last forever and someday, maybe soon, something awful will happen to someone i love. sounds silly writing this. i should enjoy my blessings!

I am a worrier too. Awful habit! Love the necklace. :)

Why is it we worry so much? It is a joke between my husband and I sometimes because of my worry. I guess I need to let go of the fact that I cannot do and serve and keep everyone happy and doing good and right all the time. I cannot be everywhere or say yes to everything. Even though I would like to. I cannot be the exact mother I want to be...because we all make mistakes. And I need to come to peace that I will make mistakes. Every single day. (Especially as a Mother.) And it is okay. As long as I keep repenting along the way. And trying. But, man it still just keeps me worrying and stressing and exhausting myself over it. Love you Julie. Thank you (once again) for the beautiful reminder to find peace.

I struggle with Fear. Fear of the unknown. Unnecessary, devil-provoking fear.

Thank you for your post! I need it today. I was up half the night worrying about my marriage. We've put a kit of work into it, but still have a long way to go. I need to trust that it's worth it and the journey is where God can grow me!

stilliefamily@yahoo.com

I love my children, that's normal - but I don't ever want to hold them too tightly - and hold them from the plan, purpose, and destiny God has for them.

I love Lisa's designs as well.
I struggle with always wanting to be in control. I feel like I have came a long way in a year, though. My daughter was stillborn 1 yer ago this week and this week we had our first ultrasound for our rainbow baby. No heartbeat could be found so they did bloodwork on Tuesday and Thursday to check hCG...my levels are going UP! Praise God! We have another u/s on Tuesday and from the beginning I have known I have no control over this pregnancy...God is in control. But I do still struggle with how I can do more and be more to ensure good outcomes. But its not up to me, it's up to God and God is faithful!!!

This is a wonderful reminder! And a beautiful necklace!

The thing I need to let go of is exactly what the Matthew verse talked about; me letting go of the "perfect plan" or the details of our lives, etc. I get upset or discouraged when things don't turn out as I had planned, but I know God has a plan for all things and that He will take care of everything. I just need to let God be in control of my life.

In the word of Carie Underwood, "Jesus take the wheel, take it from these hands, cause I can't do this on my own." :)

Kind Regards,
Nicole

Worry, worry, worry! We are dealing with a huge health issue in our family and I worry about every little thing. God is in charge and I need to remember to "Be still and know that HE is GOD!".

Worry is a big one for me too! I worry about my children...especially with our oldest being 15 - she will be driving soon and riding with friends - letting her go into God's hands is hard! And I have 3 more to go after her :) Also worry over health and finances. Love your blog!!
Heidi

Self doubt, patience and being content. I know that is a lot of things, I've always struggled with self doubt, but when our family suffered a great loss almost 5 years ago, the others crept in. I am trying to find my way back to who I used to be through the Lord and my family.

Wow! That's a beautiful necklace, I love it and I love that it's a symbol of so much more... What do I need to let go of? Expectations. Stop so many expectations.

Exactly the verse I need right now. My husband has taken a huge pay cut, a quarter of our income, and being a 1 income household and living paycheck to paycheck anyways it is very scary. I worry about being able to pay the bills this winter and if we'll have enough money to buy groceries. And if we'll be able to get any Christmas or birthday gifts for our kids. I need to let go of all this useless worry and be content and trust that God is in control and knows what's best for us.

I am obsessive compulsive and have bad anxiety. Luckily, I can calm myself down by reminding myself that there are greater things to worry about. Life is to be lived and I need to do it one day at a time.

Beautiful necklace. I too worry...and I too love this verse.
Something I continually worry about is keeping my babies safe. So thankful for a Father who protects them.

Beautiful necklace. I too worry...and I too love this verse.
Something I continually worry about is keeping my babies safe. So thankful for a Father who protects them.

*SIGH* I am always worried about my teenage sons, I am always worried about my husband and the fact that he doesn't take care of himself. After recently losing a much beloved pup, I am worried every time my elderly "fat cat" (as the aforementioned teens call him) makes a funny noise. Yes, I'd say I'm a worrier....

I struggle with worry too. In insane amounts about my kids. :(

Letting go of what I cannot control, which is basically everything.

Letting go of what I cannot control, which is basically everything!

You cannot know how much your blog has helped me and your sweet spirit has ministered to me. I had a miscarriage in April. It was our miracle pregnancy. We have been married 11 years and have adopted a precious daughter who is absolutely the blessing of our lives. When I found out I was pregnant, it was just a miracle. Everyone I told cried in awe of God's power. When I miscarried I took it extremely hard. I am still taking it hard, but my niece had given me the song "Glory Baby" to listen to, and it was very healing. Then I wanted to make something out of the bandanas I had been hoarding, so I was googling a tutorial for a dress for my little girl. I found your bandana and ribbon dress tutorial, and then, tucked away in your site, I found your story. And the words to the song. It was just a little reminder that God is still in the details-- he put the song there for me in such a random place. Thank you so much for your ministry on this blog! This necklace would be such a great reminder of the letting go I still have to do.

Oh I am SUCH a worrier! I worry so much, and I hate it.

These days I worry about the future...why isn't my ten-month-old gaining any weight, how will my boys do in Kindergarten, how will things go when we adopt two more children with medical needs (bringing us to SEVEN kids!) All sorts of stuff.

That necklace is so cute, I love Lisa's stuff!

Fear, worry, anxiety about small things in the day-to-day life and especially, for the "what ifs" of the future. I'm constantly battling living in the here and now. In the words of David Crowder, "I'm just trying to make you feel, that this is for real, that life is happening, and it means everything. I'm just trying to make you sing."

yes, let's fly! let's do it together because it's so much easier in pairs. let's try every single day to live the life He wants for us. i'm working at it. working so very hard.

this is beautiful - and even more special because of that verse! i worry too much about where my life is going, what job i should be doing, applications, interviews, all that good stuff! i have to stop and remind myself to live in the moment and enjoy the small things - and of course to be grateful for having a job at all. happy weekend to you, julie!

I love this necklace. I mostly worry about being the best mom for my kids. There are so many things to balance, but I want to be there for them and my husband as well!

Thank you! I needed to be reminded.

Beautiful words and a beautiful necklace.
I think the idea of failure is what holds me back. Failing as a mother, failing as wife, failing as a daughter, and failing at my own creative endeavors.

I always worry about my kids and if they will be safe. I struggle with anxiety too but I feel like God has been teaching me so much this year. I'm definitely not in the same place I used to be which is so encouraging. Thanks for the reminder.

letting go of a clean home all the time- leaving it and going to play with my children and enjoying them!

I wish I could let go of this worry I have in my heart. Our financial burdens are too much to bear. I pray constantly to be able to hand them to the Lord. Why is it so much easier said than done?

I suffer from irrational fears along with constant worry. I'm constantly thinking about the "what ifs". Even if they wouldn't be possible, my over active imagination is dreaming them up. My husband brought me home a great bracelet one time...it says "live the life you love". I wear it when I need to remind myself to stop the worry/fears and be in the moment.
God gifted me with 3 wonderful little boys...and while they bring a lot of joy, they also bring a lot of worry. "Live the Life you Love" has become a daily mantra for me...

I need to let go of the fear of man... succumbing to peer pressure... focusing on pleasing people {everyone}! Have you ever read "When People are Big and God is Small" by Edward Welch? I'm reading it right now and it's A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Just had a baby girl 3 weeks ago and part of her name is Wren. How special this necklace would be for us! If I don't win, I might have to order one!! :)

things have been super tough.... our home mortgage is suddenly sky rocketing, we can't refinance, because we have NO equity, so i constantly worry whether we will have a place to live..... :/

Currently I need to let go of the fact that I might have a third baby in the NICU in 8 weeks. Everything will be okay one way or another!

In all truth Julie.....what I struggle the most with is my fear of being close to God. I wasn't raised a Christian, my mom thinks that organized religion is the cause for many horrible things in this world...do I blame her for not teaching us about a higher power, Jesus...no....I am an adult now and I need to take a look inside my heart and make decisions for myself. I don't know what my insecurity is about, I want..no, I yearn for my children to know God and have a relationship with him, but I struggle to completely free myself to God, a church and everything that comes with it.
I can't believe I am writing this, but it is the truth. Thank you for slowly poulling the blanket back from my eyes and slowly letting the light in.
xoxo-
Maureen

I love this! I struggle with ALWAYS and FOREVER wondering/worrying about where we'll be and if we'll make it... as a family. Not, if we'll still be together, but financially...in ministry. Will we ever get "on top of it"! Logically I know that it's not mine to worry about. I struggle with knowing where we're supposed to work and be responsible and where we're just supposed to let go and let God. It's a journey...glad to know I'm not alone :)

The thing I need to let go of is worrying about all things military. If they are gonna bring husband back when they said or if he will miss another birthday/holiday. If they will let him transfer, if they will move my friends, but not me...and on and on and on... I need to let go and relax, worrying will no me no good!

I need to let go of trying to always fit in and just be myself. I need to not worry about what people think and what I "should" be doing and just do what is right for myself and my family. I would be happier, I would worry less and I would probably have a lot more fun. Thank you for making me look at this part of myself today, its something that always get put off until tomorrow.

I need to stop worrying about how I compare to other moms ... especially when it comes to managing my home! I am always amazed at how quickly my house becomes a wreck and then wonder, "how do moms with more kids manage it all?" I need to stop worrying about that. Honestly, dust and clutter are not going to matter in the end anyway!

I just finished a rough month at work and finally found out that our budget was majorly cut. So I worry about what it will mean for my area next year, but it is also sort of a relief to have an answer. The not knowing was beginning to kill me!! Thank you for the great giveaway! That is an awesome necklace!

I am working on becoming a reformed worrier! God has been moving mightily lately to show me, however painfully, that HE is in control of every situation, and if I truly believe that He wants what's best for me and loves me more than I could ever conceive of, I have to accept that worry is like saying to Him, "Sorry, God! You're not big enough to handle this!" I would never want to say that, so I'm trying to do better. In answer to your question, I worry about my Army husband's safety and peace of mind, I worry over our financial future and where the Army will send us next, whether I'm doing enough to support my husband and our family, and what will happen to my family in the future, health and safety-wise. But I'm learning, little by little every day, to turn that over to God.

I need to let go of my preoccupation with appearances...not necessarily how I look or how my kids look, although goodness knows I do think about that more than I ought...but more like my obsession with wondering how I stack up to other people and how my family measures up to the world's standards too. It is exhausting trying to keep up and even more so when I find myself daringly trying to run ahead. Lord, I know the only one I need to impress is you. You love me just the way I am. You created my family to be just who they are. You have ordained our days and our composition and our provisions and our strengths and our weaknesses solely so that we can bring you glory... Help me to remember that this life is about honoring you and sharing you with your creation. Goodness how I've allowed myself to become mislead. But praise be to You for forgiveness and the hope of change--even everlasting change!

God is so good!

I struggle the most with insecurity and self-worth. I need to see myself as a child of God, who is living to do his work but I've always felt that I could do things better and often over critizise myself. I'm working on it though, through the power of prayer and the word of God!

What a beautiful necklace and a truly moving verse. I am a big-time worrier and it has definitely intensified since becoming a mother. I need to let more of my worries go so that they don't cloud the time I have with my precious daughter.

I remember a couple of years ago, that verse was in my Sunday school lesson... the preacher was our teacher that morning. That verse made me think of the Bob Marley song 'Three Little Birds' and I asked the preacher if he'd ever heard of it and he had no idea who Bob Marley was!

I worry about my dad. His health. Losing him. It can be overwhelming sometimes. I have no idea what I'd do without him. He's my 'life advisor':)

I am in so much bondage with approval by my mom. I am adopted and had an wonderful life growing up. I have been blessed by wonderful parents...but for some reason Im never enough for my mom. I feel like my looks, job, where I live isn't worthy enough. I forget that I am enough for our awesome God....right now I want to FLY and be a beacon of light for others and let go of the worry I carry.

I struggle with worry every hour, every minute, every second of every day!!

such a beautiful necklace & i needed that verse. thank you! this past week, i have been dealing with my brother, who is a marine, leaving to afghanistan. we are constantly covering him with prayer.. and i'm having such a hard time trusting God. i know God is capable, but 4 years ago, my mother died of cancer & I believed with all my heart that she would be healed & receive a miracle & live cancer free. and when she died, i was crushed & felt disappointed with God. well, i want to keep trusting God, but i need peace that he will protect my brother & bring him back safely. i want to let go of the fear of losing my brother.. and God is working with me daily through prayer. and i've been seeking God more & praying that he heals my heart & just helps me to release any hurt i've felt.. and i see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I struggled for the longest time about ten years with the fear of having twins..Everytime I got pregnant I worried myself sick that I was going to have twins.. My fear soon became a reality and for nine months I never got any sleep bc I worried so much about it..But its all good..They are eight months old and yes its challenging at times but also so, so rewarding..God was just showing me that I dont need to worry but take everything to him in prayer.

jkdbawest@gmail.com

Worry is my thing, too. And Philippians 4:6-7 is my verse. I mean, the promise of God's peace?!...seriously!?? Sign me up!

~Keri

I worry about whether God will allow my husband and come back from war alive. I'm so proud of him and know that he loves doing what he does over there but I need to have more faith that God's plan is PERFECT no matter what!

I worry about whether God will allow my husband and come back from war alive. I'm so proud of him and know that he loves doing what he does over there but I need to have more faith that God's plan is PERFECT no matter what!

Worrying about our next assignment...and the assignment after that...and possibly after that. I cannot ever enjoy where we are because of worrying about where we might go next. Been all over the world and missed it because I was thinking about what might happen next.

I love the beautiful necklace. We all have our worries and we just need to remember to pray not only for ourselves, but for each other, too. I have been blessed by reading through these comments and knowing how to pray for women all over the world.

Love Lisa Leonad and her designs! I worry, but try to remember that if I'm worrying too much, I am not talking to God enough.

I love your blog, and read it faithfully...you are an inspiration! My struggle is with self-esteem...it's a constant battle, but God is working and changing me. Where would I be without Him! Love the necklace, so thankful for God's protection always. God Bless you!
kathy

I need to be much less uptight. Quit worrying about things that might happen...and focus on everything good that IS happening.

this is so good. i worry about every bad thing that could possibly happen to one of my children....mostly in the middle of the night. that's when "taking every thought captive" comes in! :) thank you for this reminder that our precious Savior's eye is on the sparrow and it's definitely on me and my children.