“when i cannot stand I’ll fall on You, Jesus you’re my hope and stay.”

this is the song that was being sung when i walked into Mass a little early today, after walking from the mall to the cathedral alone. i didn’t get lost or abducted, so the “alone” part is worth mentioning.

it is a song I’ve known for years. I have sang it in the choir loft at St. Catherine’s with Jon more times than i could count. I have sang it with Kelley and Josh in my house in Statesboro. I have sang it at retreats at Cove Crest, in San Antonio, at Woodlands. I have sang it on mission trips to Mississippi and New Orleans. And today I sang it in Sydney, Australia.

to say that being on the other side of the world has been overwhelming would be an understatement.  I can’t even go to walmart, and believe it or not, I catch myself missing statesboro when i see all the darty and pool day pictures. I miss my friends, family, boyfriend, dogs, and did I mention walmart?

everything I am used to and everything i know seems to have been tossed out the window. but walking into the church today and hearing that familiar song that I’ve sang too many times felt like home. it always amazes me how God comes to you in the moments you need Him most, even if you don’t realize it.

the gospel reading was one of my favorite pieces of scripture, ever. in essence, it says not to worry or be anxious about this world.

Matthew 6:25-34

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

in the midst of all my worries about the next few months, whether to get a job, whether journalism is a stupid major that will leave me with no actual skills, etc., God took the time to remind me that He has it all covered and that I can’t add a single hour to my life by worrying.

after Mass, I clapped for the kids in the band singing their hearts out for Jesus and was just so thankful i’ve been able to do the same for so many years.

on the ride home, I was just pondering over the message that God spoke to me today and how there are times when His voice is so loud and clear that it is undeniable.

I don’t have to worry. He told me that. and just to prove it, as I was walking into my apartment wondering what to eat for dinner, my lovely roommate came out of her room and offered me pizza. God really does provide.