Mine and God's Mockingjay

          If you've seen the Hunger Games movies, you know exactly what a mockingjay is. If not, here's a teeny tiny summary: In the movies, mockingjays are quasi-parrots; they match their song to whatever you say or sing, and repeat it over and over. The first time mockingjays appear in the Hunger Games series, a little girl named Rue uses them to send a message to Katniss (the main character) letting her know that she's okay. Basically, mockingjays are just little messengers. 

          Last night, I was scrolling through tumblr and thinking and getting worried about a lot of things, and I scrolled past a post quoting 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast your anxiety on Him because he cares for you." That verse has been at the center of my journey out of anxiety problems, and for some reason, it really hit me hard last night. I find it truly amazing that if I stop and actually force myself to concentrate and literally give up the things that are troubling me, God always makes me smile. And a lot of the time He gives me physiological signs of His presence. That may sound so weird, but if it’s not a yawn in the middle of the day, it’s some goosebumps running in a pattern up my arm, or a little shiver on my shoulder…it’s mine and God’s mockingjays…whenever I feel it, I know everything is okay. Most of the time, I can’t help but giggle knowing that the King of the universe is sending me a mockingjay to let me know how close He is.
          Find your mockingjay. Find the way that God speaks directly to you, and cherish it. Know that the God that created everything you see; the God that created music and cats and ice cream; the God who breathed life into your body is talking to you, because He loves you. He loves you more than anyone has ever loved you, and He desperately wants you to know that.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." -Psalm 52:22

You are Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider, You are Jehovah-Rapha, our Healer, and You are Jehovah-Shalom, our Peace. Thank you so much for walking with us through life's struggles, and carrying us when we can't walk on our own. Thank you for coming down to meet us where we are, and lifting us far above the troubles of this world. You are our All in All, the only One we need, and we love you with all of our hearts.

Amen.