The Chronicles of Biscuit - "But I Have So Many Things To Do!"

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

This week Biscuit has been running with his dad and next oldest brother ever day.  But every day, Biscuit comes back to the house discouraged that he can't keep up.  His dad and brother encourage him. I encourage him.  His other brother and sister encourage him, but still Biscuit remains discouraged.

"I need to be faster!"  "I need to be able to run longer!"  "I have to get in shape!"  Reminder that Biscuit is 10....well 10 1/2....but still, just a young child. I'm not concerned that I don't like to run...or want to run...or couldn't run.  Yes, I need to get into shaped, but it wouldn't ever be by running, I can assure you.

But, back to Biscuit's dilemma.

I asked Biscuit why he had to get into shape.  He said, "You wouldn't understand!"  I convinced him to tell me anyway. "Well, I start playing football this year. Then it's basketball, then junior high and high school sports, then go to college or go to the military, then get a job, then get married!  I have to be in shape for all of that!!"

How do you respond to a young child who is already so worried about the future that he can't just deal in the "here and now"??  Not to mention, how do you keep a straight face when such grown-up thinking is coming from a 10 year old's mouth!!??

I tried to tell him it was okay, that all he has to think about is being a 5th grader this August and playing the elementary sports. He doesn't have to worry about all of the rest of that other stuff right now.  He can think about the future, of course, but it shouldn't consume his mind and cause him to worry.  There's nothing good that can come from worrying about all of that right now.

Biscuit is a worrier.  It's kind of odd because I'm not a worrier. His dad isn't a worrier.  We could blame it on grandma, but we won't (Haha!! That's for my mom :) ).

The only advice that Biscuit really needs to know is what Jesus told his disciples over 2,000 years ago:

“So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat or wear. ²³ Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. ²⁴ Consider the crows. They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even have a storeroom or a barn. Yet, God feeds them. You are worth much more than birds.

²⁵ “Can any of you add an hour to your life by worrying? ²⁶ If you can’t do a small thing like that, why worry about other things? ²⁷ Consider how the flowers grow. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. ²⁸ That’s the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it’s alive, and tomorrow it’s thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?

²⁹ “Don’t concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things.³⁰ Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them.³¹ Rather, be concerned about his kingdom. Then these things will be provided for you. ³² Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:22-32 (God's Word Translation)

The very best thing Biscuit can do instead of worrying, is to pray. That's what I tell him every time, and he knows it.  Just sometimes it's hard for him to do when he's all worked up.

Maybe you need this verse, too. Maybe you spend too much time worrying about everything, instead of putting your whole faith and whole trust in God for the issue that is causing you to worry.  Today, try doing what this scripture says.  Give it to God and let Him take care of it!

Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Philippians 4:6