WHY WORRY? a guest post by a "Spontaneous Friend"

Dear Readers,
I am honored and thrilled to introduce you to a dear friend, Birdie Anderson. Birdie and I met back in March of 2018 while walking on a wooded path in O’Fallon, Illinois. Our daughter Beth and son-in-law Nate had just made a military move there with Kaden (12 yo), Eli (7 yo), William (3 yo), and Claire (1yo).

So with William and Claire in a double stroller, off we would go to the beloved path. One of those days, Ms Birdie kindly stopped to chat with us at, what would become, our snack bench. We very quickly realized we were sisters in the Lord.

Over the years “Ms Birdie” would surprisingly meet up with us out of the blue, totally “spontaneously. But we also scheduled times as the years rolled on. And now, I’m excited to say that Birdie has joined my Thursday evening ZOOM Bible study group.

When Birdie read her beautiful poem “Why Worry” to our group not long ago, I asked if she would like to share it here as a “Guest Branch” author. She graciously consented.

Thank you so much, dear Birdie…

So here is Birdie, telling of her life and the backstory for her poem in her own words:

I love spending time with my family. My husband of 47 years, Mike, and I have 3 children, their spouses, and 4 grandchildren. I also love to study God's word, play the piano, and take walks enjoying God's creation.

Taking a walk on a nearby park path is how I met Jan. She was visiting her daughter and her family and was taking 2 of her grandchildren on a walk. I stopped to talk with them while they were having a snack break on the bench. I don't remember how many times we ran into each other before we finally exchanged numbers, but I'm thankful that God has given me this friendship. Jan has been and still is a very special blessing in my life.

This Lord gave me this poem while reflecting on a sermon I had heard in 1998.

not long after we met on “the path” in ear;ly 2018

with “the littles” back in the day…most likely after the pandemic

Why Worry?
Why worry about the past,
The mistakes and failures gone by?
We can never change what was done,
No matter how hard we try.
Why worry about the present,
The struggles we go through each day?
No amount of worry
Will help them go away.
Why worry about the future,
The decisions and problems ahead?
The "what if's" can be discouraging,
And fill our lives with dread.
The past can be put behind us,
Jesus paid the price for our sin.
His blood covers our past mistakes,
When we ask Him to enter in.
We can rejoice in the present,
And be content in all things.
Knowing we have a loving God,
His best plans for us He brings.
We can rest in the future,
Whatever happens, we're in His care.
He is able to provide for us,
With love and mercy, He's always there.
We can be rid of our anxieties,
Our worries will melt away,
When we turn our hearts to Jesus,
And focus on Him each day.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus,
When we seek Him with all of our heart,
Then we will learn to trust Him with everything,
And our burdens will forever depart.
Birdie Anderson

A Branch in the Vine

WHY WORRY? a guest post by a "Spontaneous Friend"

A Branch In the Vine