As I sit down to write today, no profound thoughts or observations are making their way from my brain to my fingers and onto this electronic page. Rather, my mind is swirling with thoughts like, “I will be on a plane to Africa in 11 days, and I haven’t even made my packing list yet.” I’m also thinking, “I have so much work to do, projects to finish, etc. before I leave.”

Distraction and stress have plagued me over the last couple of weeks, threatening to rob me of the continual joy and excitement that I have been feeling about our trip. I just want to focus upon preparing my heart for the trip, yet the insignificant stuff of life keeps crowding in, causing me undue anxiety. I know that these emotions are not from my Father, but the battle in my mind has been fierce and relentless lately, it seems.

In casting about for a life raft, God led me back to Isaiah 54:10– “For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet my love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall my covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” I am so thankful today for this reminder that God’s love and kindness already rests upon and within me, that it cannot depart from me regardless of any seemingly insurmountable circumstances happening around me or how I am feeling at any given moment. I am equally thankful and amazed that I am engulfed by God’s covenant of peace and completeness in this present moment and for all of time.