When asked to select and write about my favourite verse in the Bible, one particular verse immediately sprang to mind.
That verse was Phillipians Chapter 4 verse 6.
' Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.'
This verse became special to me almost 24 years ago.
At the time I was 19 years old and had just left home to train to be a nurse.
My parents had helped me move my belongings into the nurses accommodation and
I was feeling extremely anxious about what the future held for me. After putting
a brave face on it, assuring my parents I was fine, and saying goodbye to them
I sat on my bed looking round my new surroundings. I had many worries. Would
the people in my class be friendly, would I enjoy nursing, would I pass my exams?
At this point I decided to get out my Bible to look for words of comfort. In
my Bible there was an envelope with my name written on it in my mum's handwriting.
When I opened it, a small newspaper clipping fell out and on examining it I
discovered that it was the verse from Phillipians. Underneath the verse my mum
had written ' love mum'.
At that time I was surprised
for two reasons. Firstly, I was surprised at the relevance of the verse to my
current situation. I was indeed anxious about many things. And secondly, I was
surprised that my mum was aware of how I was feeling, in spite of my best efforts
to conceal my worries ( now that I am a mother, I am not so surprised by this
insight).
As I sat in my room reflecting on this verse it occurred to me that if my earthly
mother knew how I was feeling, how much more would my Heavenly Father know.
My reflections turned to prayer and I ' presented my requests to God' ( I asked
for Christian friends, exam success and help to share His love with those I
came in contact with) whilst thanking Him that I had the opportunity to train
as a nurse, and had a mother who knew and cared for me.
Twenty years on, I am still in contact with three Christian girls I met on that
course. I am still practising as a nurse and looking for opportunities to share
God's love and bring comfort to those experiencing illness.
When I am feeling anxious about anything, I remember this verse, and how God
worked things out at that point in my life, and trust that He will do the same
today.
Comment by Mhairi Lockie.