My solution for the twenty somethings: make them cookies. Provisions; a taste of home along a very long road. What will we choose to take with us as we make our way in the world? What do we keep with us if our way is closer to home? Love would be a good thing to carry in our hearts. We are always loved. "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 When we walk through transitions and face the unknown the anchor for our souls is love; we must wake each morning and remind ourselves, "I am loved, I am loved, I am loved," the fear will subside for, "perfect love casts out fear." 1 John 4:18
Hope would be necessary food for our hearts. The way is often lonely and treacherous, perhaps not in a physical way, but emotionally we lose our bearings, haven't found our footing, this is when we must trust. We speak to ourselves, again, and say, no matter what is swirling around us, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-22 It may be as simple as reminding ourselves of the One who cares for us: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26
The journey home to ourselves requires us to pack our own suitcases, decide what we will keep or discard from years of life, and cherish what remains. A deep sense of belonging and being cared for needs to be cultivated in us so we can effectively live in a broken and fallen world. We choose love, keep hope alive and deepen our faith in God and others as we open our eyes to His provision. He promises, "Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Medicine from Ancient Writings:
“God's works move and breathe; they use and judge the things of sense. The workmanship of such an Artist, will you dishonor Him? Yes, when He not only fashioned you, but placed you, like a ward, in the care and guardianship of yourself alone, will you not only forget this, but also do dishonor to what He committed to your care! If God had entrusted you with an orphan, would you have neglected him? He has delivered you into your own care, saying, I had none more faithful than Myself; so keep this person for Me, and preserve him as he is by nature: modest, faithful, high-minded, a stranger to fear, to passion, to agitation."
Epictetus second century philosopher
