The typically carefree boy had recently become less so. Worries, some of them irrational, had gradually crept into his mind. He became preoccupied with thoughts about war and dying, and he was concerned by the possibility of getting sick while away from home. He worried about his life and the future.

These disturbances carried into the nighttime, and even his sleep had become troubled. One night, after some tossing and turning, he got out of his bed and went to his mother in the family’s den, where he poured out his burdens to her.

The boy’s mom was loving, caring, and attentive, and after listening to him share what was on his heart and mind, she, in turn, shared something with him – something she had recently been reading:

From a hillside, Jesus had spoken to a large crowd and told them how their heavenly Father cared for birds and flowers and met their needs, and if He did that for birds and flowers, how much more He would take care of people and meet their needs.

And, as the boy’s mom pointed out, these were promises for all of God’s children, including him. This was a turning point for the boy. He slept well the remainder of the night and was finally able to let go of those things that had troubled him.

That boy was me, and this is a retelling of how my wise mother helped me more than fifty years ago, using the truth of God’s Word to ease my mind and encourage my heart, teaching me a lesson never forgotten. 

Thank you, Mama.