There was a boy in college who used to come through my checkout line at the bookstore.  His name was Justin Case.  Say it out loud.  Yep.  I think of him a lot.  I must, since I say his name frequently.

I need to save this piece of yarn, Justin Case.

I better stock up on tamales, Justin Case.

We should move all the plants inside, Justin Case.

Sometimes, Justin Case is necessary.  Like tying down all the deck furniture and moving the plants inside before a hurricane.

But Justin Case can be a symptom of worry and a lack of faith.  And he has a cousin.. What If?

When God provided manna in the wilderness he did so with specific instructions through Moses. “And Moses said to them, “Let no man leave any of it till the morning.” But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.”  Exodus 16: 19-21

When Jesus told us to pray “Give us each day our daily bread”  Matthew 6:11  Did he mean it?

As I look around my life, I realize that I need to let go of Justin Case.   I really didn’t know him that well, anyway.  And I need to banish his cousin What If.

Taking one day, one minute, one breath at a time helps keeps me in the moment with God.  Some breaths are jagged, some minutes long, and some days feel like they will never end, but knowing that there is One who will give me what I need… not what I necessarily want…every single day is an amazing comfort.

Loving God,

Give us each day our daily bread.

Our daily

…patience

…strength

… peace

… courage

… joy

… grace

… mercy

Keep us grounded in today.

Not yesterday, we can’t change the past.

Not tomorrow, worrying about the future can paralyze us.

Open our eyes to your gifts in the present.

Mobilize us to multiply your gifts to bless others.

Amen