So, I did get the job, tentatively, in Florida that I’ve been wanting for a while and it seems I will be moving soon. The distance is like 600 plus miles away; too far to make weekend visits. So, I’m getting ready for my trip and starting to think about all the items I will need to take with me. However, there’s one aspect of this adventure I need to mention…the uneasiness of what’s waiting for me.

For one thing, alligators. I don’t like them. Never have, never will. And I don’t like sweltering heat like Florida usually has, but where I live now is not a bed of roses either. However, I do get to experience the seasons where I am now which is a good thing.

Another thing that kind of worries me are the hurricanes. Although I will be living inland from the coast, a good sized hurricane is likely to cause extreme weather conditions in central Florida. So, I’m not really looking forward to that.

And then just the feeling of not knowing where everything is is likely to cause some stress. Where I am now, I can drive and not really pay attention to where I’m going. When I get to Florida I will have to look at my GPS just to get to a Walmart.

And then, of course, there’s Covid. Yes, the deadly killing disease that has taken so many lives. This is a good reason to be afraid, but there’s also a means of keeping safe. If you do all the things the Health Departments are saying, there’s no need to be afraid. Staying safe is merely a matter of wearing a mask and gloves, and if you have to go out, stay at least 6 feet away from others and don’t take unnecessary risks…like eating out, going to the mall, shopping for nothing you actually need. Take advantage of pick up services at your local Walmart or grocery. Even retail shops are using this service. Soon the vaccine will be available to everyone and we will hopefully get back to some normalcy.

So, all I’m saying is there are a lot of situations where the unknown can cause stress and fear. Getting a medical procedure done, moving, getting married, getting divorced, a new job, a new house, a loved one dying….and the list goes on. It’s perfectly natural to wonder what will happen in the future. In that regard we are all equal. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring.

The Bible has something to say about that. In Matthew 6:35 Jesus says: “Therefore, do not be anxious [worried] for tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Even Jesus recognized the troubles of His time and had to endure those things like everyone else. But, He gives us a reason not to worry and advise on how to handle it. Just don’t worry. If it’s going to happen, it will.

I’m excited about my adventure and I hope it all works out and I will be taking it one day at a time…not worrying about all the ‘what ifs.’ I’ll deal with those things as they come up. And I’m sure they will come up, since history tends to repeat itself.

So, the gist of this message is to enjoy the moment of life in the present. Don’t live in the past, and don’t worry about the future. Life is happening now and it’s now that it must be lived. My life is on the downhill side and I want to do the things now that I will no longer get to do in just a few short years. So off I go…

Until my next post, God bless you.