Trust, Boaz Boards, Worry, and Other Thoughts

Yesterday’s post was frantic and scatter-brained, maybe.  I dunno.  I guess it’s what happens when I just write and am not listening at all.  The “future” is kind of a touchy subject, but as I have developed more of a relationship with God, it is easier not to take it into my own hands and stress over it.  Sometimes I try to flush the worry that comes into my mind out, reminding myself of the trust I don’t want to take away from the Lord.  Other times, when I start to worry about my future, the people and events in it, I just pray about it.  It is okay to say, “God, this is what I really want to happen.”  I have laid it all out for him, what I want out of life and what I want to do.  But we all must remember the heart behind it.  “Okay, God.  That is what I want,” (sometimes I detail it, even), “but it’s not up to me.  My future is in your hands, and I trust you with it.”  Sometimes actually telling him what’s wrong or what’s bothering you helps, even though he knows it already.

Three different Bible studies or life groups I have led or co-led in the last few years have gone through the book of Ruth.  We make a list of character traits for Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz.  The groups are made up of college women, and the week after we’re through chapter four, we bring general scrapbook supplies.  Then, we make a “Boaz Board.”

They are all so different, but they say similar things. Mine is the upper left.

On these boards of sort that we make are all the characteristics of Boaz from the book of Ruth, along with characteristics that we want in our own “somebody” someday.  I think it is good to know what to wait for, 2/3 of these groups being freshmen.  However, it is important to remember that these are not a checklist.  I was talking about this with the last group I made these with in May.  There are obviously more important things on the board than others (like loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, and mind), but just making the board, I think, helps encourage all these young women not to settle, because that’s not what God wants for any of us.  This is related to the first paragraph—the future.  I have made three “Boaz Boards,” and though there are definite similarities, they are all different and say different things slightly.  It is interesting, too, because the girls’ personalities are reflected in their boards.  It’s great.  So if any of you are leading a young women’s Bible study, go through Ruth and discuss each chapter, making a list of characteristics of each person.  Then, at the end, make a Boaz Board!  It’s fun and it keeps girls coming and engaged.

This is the first one I ever made, when I was not the head of the group for this part and just a part of it. It’s my favorite one. 🙂

Anyhoo, I got off-topic slightly, but it all points to the fact that not knowing what will happen is okay.  Yes, sometimes I do these healthy things to deter worry and crush it because my faith is awesome.  But there are times I still do worry and freak out a little (like yesterday?).  This happens a lot when I’m having a bad day MS-wise, or decision deadlines are nearing fast.  Is it a sin to worry?  By worrying, you are taking away your faith in God and trying to do things yourself, realize it or not, so…yes, worry is a sin.  At least that’s my take.  What do you worry about?

Anna