It’s Like Earwax

Kaylee was about seven when she passed along this particular bit of wisdom. It was just us for most of her life, and this was in the midst of some particularly dark times. I was working at least two–if not three–jobs at a time for most of her elementary school years. I was short on time, short on faith, and even with all those hours, still short on money. One day, I simply couldn’t hold myself together. I didn’t realize it in the moment, but I was probably having an anxiety attack. What Kaylee recognized was that my emotions were all over the place.

“Write it down, Mommy. Write down all the things you’re stressed about,” she commanded in her (some say bossy) little voice.

“Why, Kaylee? What difference will that make?” I was in tears.

“It’s like earwax. It might still be icky, but at least it will be out of your head.”

And that’s when I started writing things down.

Not too long after my daughter gave me her sage advice about earwax, I made another list of all the things that were stressing me out. It was a long list. Then, I immediately flipped the paper over and wrote down all the things I had to be thankful for. It was an even longer list.

And that was the side of the paper that I left face up.

When I got the mail that day, I had received a very specific fulfillment of one of my greatest needs from the first list.

God was reminding me to focus on His provision and His blessings.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6