Good morning, friends,

2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

I, Cara, have woken up this morning in a world of stress and worry. I put on the old shoes. Do you have a pair of old shoes? Shoes that, let’s be honest, have long since lost their value. The tread is worn. The holes are visible. Yet, we keep them. Even worse, we wear them. Maybe just around the house (we wouldn’t want friends to see these!). So, on they go, as the day wears on, we don’t even realize the damage they are doing to our bodies, do we? Our feet begin to ache. Our legs hurt. Our back, oy! Then, I don’t know about you, but I get a headache. Everything is out of alignment. All because I put on those shoes this morning.

Worry and fear are just like that. I wake up and oh, the stresses begin to weigh me down. I worry about my children. I worry about finances. I worry about making the wrong decision. I worry about…and then, not dealing with that WITH the Lord, confessing my need for Him, and arising in the strength of the Lord, I then greet my husband and children with this cloud over me. Then I begin the worry of the house not being clean, the schoolwork not being done…and I’m stressed and the family receives the brunt of my stress.

God talks in His word about feet. About beautiful feet. My feet, most certainly, this morning do not resemble these feet.

Isaiah 52:7 EXB ·How beautiful [or How beautiful on the mountains] ·is the person [L are the feet of him]
    who ·comes over the mountains to bring [or brings] good news,
who announces peace
    and brings good news,
    who announces salvation [Nah. 1:15]
and says to ·Jerusalem [L Zion; v. 1],
    “Your God ·is King [or reigns].”

I look at how I have begun my morning. When I greet the day remembering how blessed are those who bring good news. Good news. Peace. Salvation (deliverance). When I begin my day, remembering this is a fight, a battle, oh, my day can begin to turn. No excuses. No way. Instead…

Ephesians 6:10 EXB Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his ·great [strong; mighty] power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s ·evil tricks [schemes]. 12 [For] Our ·fight [conflict; struggle] is not against ·people on earth [L flesh and blood] but against the rulers and authorities and the ·powers [or cosmic powers/rulers] of this ·world’s darkness [L darkness], against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly ·world [realm; places]. 13 ·That is why you need to [L For this reason,]put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil [C persecution generally or end-time tribulation] you will be able to ·stand strong [keep your ground; resist the enemy]. And ·when you have finished the whole fight [L after you have done/accomplished everything], you will still be standing. 14 So stand ·strong [or ready], with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the ·body armor [breastplate] of ·right living [a righteous life; or God’s own righteousness/justice; L righteousness]. 15 On your feet wear the ·Good News [Gospel] of peace ·to help you stand strong [for firm footing; or to be fully prepared]. 16 And ·also [in addition to all this; or in all circumstances] use the shield of faith with which you can ·stop [extinguish] all the ·burning arrows [T fiery darts] of the Evil One. 17 ·Accept[Receive; or Take] the helmet of salvation, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the ·word[message] of God. 18 Pray ·in [or in dependence on] the Spirit at all times with all ·kinds of prayers[L prayers and requests], asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ·ready [alert]·and never give up [L with all perseverance]. Always pray for all ·God’s people [T the saints].

So, instead of the old, worn out shoes of worry and fear, place the Good News of peace to stand strong. We can only be strong IN the Lord, IN His great power. I think of this prayer this morning…

The Prayer of St. Patrick

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Prayers/Catholic/Morning/The-Prayer-Of-St-Patrick.aspx#jBo1Bf9XgDkQTJZW.99

And you know what friends? This is NOT going to be a day where worry and fear win. This is a day where I remember nothing can separate me from the love of God. Christ is with me. With you. I put on the shoes of the Gospel of peace. The Good news…it’s all that I need. I need to start my day!

Blessings to you! Join me in throwing those shoes OUT!