Do not be anxious about anything

      Philippians 4 was included in today's chronological reading of the New Testament.  This passage--verses 4-7-- is one of my favorites because I have discovered its truth through experience.  
       ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

       Our Festivals & Events committee has been working on several projects this year.  Right now we are planning Heritage Days for June 15-16, while beginning construction of our new amphitheater, doing some fundraising projects, and planning a botanical garden. So I have needed to rely upon the truth of the above verses to help me through each day.  

     It is amazing the ideas and the people who have come forward to contribute to the planning and implementation of this Festival!  It seems that as we pray and then do the step that seems right to us, another idea or person comes to help us make it even better.  It would be easy to get anxious about some of the preparations--e.g. the equine parade & how to handle unloading, the parade route, will the amphitheater be done in time to use it for the festival or will there be a muddy mess around it, etc.--but I trust the Lord.  I believe He has led us this far and therefore He knows how to direct our paths to the completion.  

       This is going to be one of the best festivals to come to this area!  I thank God all the time for the way in which He is putting it together by helping us ask just the right people and do the right things.  We continue to ask Him to guide us, we thank Him when He does and then His peace comes.  What a great way to prevent anxiety--just as the scripture says!