Scared of the Future? Cling to This Single Truth...

I remember it as if it were yesterday. I’m fiddling with the latch on my green Care Bears lunchbox when Mrs. Nagel gently encourages me to take a step to the left. Apparently, I’m the juxtaposed member of an otherwise pencil-straight line of kindergartners. I’m scared of pretty much everything these days. Mostly, I’m scared of the future in this wide and frightening world.

I miss my mom like it’s nobody’s business, and this whole mess of leaving her for approximately 3.5 hours a day is just about more than my five-year-old heart can take.

I have no idea how I’ll ever get married and leave the house. But I leave that thought alone and just try to swallow the tears that rise every time I think of her.

When You’re Scared of the Future

The colossal correction from Mrs. Nagel triggers the tears again, and I gulp hard.

“Stacey,” Mrs. Nagel says gently, and somewhere behind the words, I hear all the love in the world.

Something about her voice reminds me of my mom. But it doesn’t bring tears this time. I look right into her eyes, and I see a kind of compassion that wraps me in comfort.

When she says my name, I know she sees me. I know she sees my heart, and she’s telling me it’s alright. It’s all going to be okay. We’re going to get through this, and she’s going to walk with me.

“No tears now,” she softly says, touching my arm tenderly.

I nod my little head and clench my lunchbox handle with two hands, eyes straight ahead. I’ve got this. I’ve got this standing in line thing, and this getting on the bus thing, and this leaving Mom thing. We’re gonna make it.

We did make it. Mrs. Nagel and I soared through kindergarten together, and by the end of the year, the tears were a rarity. Her kindness and gentleness walked me through the hard transition.

Feeling Scared of the Future in Uncertain Times

This memory comes to mind when I read the account of Jesus’ mother Mary at his tomb. She is prepared to anoint Jesus’ body with oil. Mary is scared of the future without him, but she focuses on what she can now do for him in his death.

She arrives at the tomb to discover the body is gone. Double grief. She is grieved over his death, and now she’s distraught over his missing body. Where could he be? Why would someone steal his body? She is deeply disturbed and entirely broken.

And then, the impossible happens.

A gardener comes to the tomb beside her. She glances at him and begs him to tell her where they might have put the body. Her mind is racing, and she doesn’t know this is the very Lord she vehemently seeks.

She doesn’t know it’s him until he says her name, “Mary.”

I imagine the tone. It’s direct, yet filled with compassion. Jesus wants her to know he sees her. He sees her heart and her desperation.

One Word to Change Everything When You’re Scared of the Future

She recognizes him the moment he says her name. She responds, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).* And from that moment, everything changes. The redemption of humankind is at hand. His body was not stolen; he is alive!

The scene reminds me of the day Mrs. Nagel spoke my name.

She saw into my heart and reminded me we’d get through it. It also stirs in me a deep longing for the day when I stand before the throne of God and hear Jesus speak my name. It reminds me that just as he knew Mary by name, he knows my name. He is watching, waiting, and walking with me through this season.

Jesus knows your name, too.

Maybe you are facing uncertain days, you’re scared of the future, and your chest just might be tight with anxiety and uncertainty (Join me here if this is you).

You need something to hold onto, or someone to hold onto you, as you step into a new day (Join me here if this describes you).

The Promise for When You’re Scared of the Future

Dear friend, Jesus is speaking your name today.

He has engraved you on the palms of his hands.

He knows your name. Close your eyes and imagine the sound of his voice as he simply speaks your name today.

He sees. He has this. Lean in. Breathe. Let your arms hang loose and know that he is God.

Jesus waits for you to encounter him in the midst of your uncertainty. He has engraved you on the palms of his hands. #engravedonhishands #encounteringGod #uncertainfuture Click To Tweet

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